Comerç

An important social hub in the Sant Antoni neighbourhood and a place of pilgrimage for lovers of good bar food. It celebrated 125 years of existence in top form; in the book dedicated to it by the Debate publishing house, they describe it as an indestructible bar. But Alegria is much more than a bar, in addition to tapas and small dishes, it offers natural wines and live rumba music. In the bar area, the terrace, under a red awning, and the mezzanine, it combines the tradition of a vermouth bar with the energy of a tapas bar and the character of a bistro. The menu is a careful homage to traditional local cuisine and produce, from the contemporary perspective of chef Tomàs Abellan, who has run it since 2019, when he restored a decaying space mentored by his father, Carles Abellan (Tapas, 24), and Max Colombo (Xemei), only to the extent needed: until the day of the inauguration. Dishes to bear in mind: the Russian salad with “ugly bread”, the truffled omelette, the toast with 00 anchovies and smoked butter – of which they were pioneers in Barcelona – his childhood “bikini” (ham and cheese toastie), Shunka aubergine, Bouchot mussels with coconut milk and ginger, grilled squid with squid ink mayonnaise, Middle Eastern-style lamb, and desserts such as La Viña-style cheesecake.