The liberal ideals of El Raval have long been central to the culture that has shaped both Barcelona and the wider Catalan mind-set. Creativity that occasionally borders on madness is visible in many a weird and wonderful way and but it’s no more obvious than the black tube of a hotel that is the Barcelo Raval. Tubing anyone?

On its rooftop bar the service is good and the Mojitos are excellent, but the view is what makes this place worth a visit, so get up high and toast it. Saturday night and Sunday brunch is when to go as a bossa nova band does their thing. This is not the best place for large groups but if you want to take a new flame (or an old for that matter) and they don't stop and stare, then BarChick recommends rethinking who you are whiling your evenings away with.