Flamenco shows

Flamenco! (Photo courtesy of El Tablao de Carmen)

Break out the castanets for a Flamenco show in Barcelona

Part of the Flamenco show at Tablao Flamenco Cordobés. (Photo courtesy of Tablao Flamenco Cordobés)Inspired by the medieval tribulations of Spain’s Jews and Moors, and influenced by gypsy rhythms and style, the exotically fluid dance known as the flamenco heats up the night in two of Barcelona’s bars.

Admittedly, these shows are put on for the tourists—you have to head to Madrid, or better yet, Andalusia, the birthplace of flamenco—for more authentic versions.

But if Barcelona is your only chance to experience the hand-clapping, guitar-strumming lifebeat of this folk art, try one of the following shows. Each lasts roughly an hour. Be sure to check online or call to confirm show times and prices.

Tip: Note that El Tablao de Carmen is not only a bit cheaper all around (save for the afternoon matinée at Cordobés), but it also includes entry to the Poble Espanyol, itself an €11 value.

• Tablao Flamenco Cordobés (Tel. +34-933-175-711; www.tablaocordobes.es), at Las Ramblas 35 in the Barri Gotíc (Metro: Liceu or Drassanes [L3]). Shows run daily and come with drinks, or you can splurge and come early for a buffet dinner (or, in the afternoons, tapas):
  • Afternoon show: 6:45pm, €30 (with tapas: 5:45pm, €45)
  • First show: 8:15pm, €42 (with dinner: 6:45pm, €77)
  • Second show: 10pm, €42 (with dinner: 8:30pm, €77)
  • Late show: 11:30pm, €42 (with dinner: 10pm; €69)
    
    

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• El Tablao de Carmen (Tel. +34-933-256-895; www.tablaodecarmen.com), at Avda. Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia 13 in the Poble Espanyol. Shows come with drinks—or come early to enjoy tapas or a full dinner—and run Tuesday to Sunday as follows:
  • First show: 7–8pm, €39 (with dinner: 6:15pm, €68–€77; with tapas: €49); free entry to wander the Poble Espanyol from 4pm
  • Second show: 9:30–10:30pm (with dinner: 8:45pm, €68–€77; with tapas: €49); free entry to wander the Poble Espanyol from 4pm.
• Gourmet Tapas crawl and Private Flamenco Show. This is a tour offered by our partners at Viator.com that starts with a tapas dinner in a Modernist-style bar in the Eixample district, followed by a stroll through the Eixample into Born (and a stop to nibble gourmet jamón and have another drink), then to a medieval palace in Barri Gotíc for a glass of cava (Catalan champagne) on the rooftop with a nighttime view over Barcelona followed by more tapas and sangria during a private flamenco show in the palace. It starts at 7:30pm, lasts for three hours, and costs €83.
• Other flamenco venues in Barcelona:
  • El Patio Andaluz (www.showflamencobarcelona.com)
  • Restaurante Flamenco Nervión (www.restaurantenervion.com)
  • Palacio del Flamenco (www.palaciodelflamenco.com)
  • Gran Gala Flamenco/Opera y Flamenco (www.barcelonayflamenco.com) - These are frequent (1-2 per week) shows in various concert halls; no meals.

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