The Rundown

The sun setting over Montjuic

An at-a-glance list to reference for a visit to Barcelona.

Born is optimal for being close to things
Eixample (pronounced eh-sham-pla) is also central. It is more residential.
Gracia, Poblenou, Sant Antoni and Sants are all fine places to stay that are on the periphery of the central areas.

Bunkers del carmel - You can see all of Barcelona from here. Bring wine and a picnic and hang out for sunset. There are a lot of Erasmus kids up there at times. Beware, it's a rather steep hill to get up there.
Carrer Blai - nice street full of pinchos places (the spanish equivalent of a small buffet, typical of the basque region) grab a plate, pick up whatever pinchos you want and pay at the end based on the toothpicks you’ve collected. Make sure to order a vermut :)
MACBA - A modern art museum. It's also nice to hang outside of it, drink a beer and watch the skateboarders do tricks on the steps.
Bogatell beach - if you want to walk on the beach Bogatell beach at the end of the rambla de poblenou is a bit less touristy than Barceloneta.
Rambla de Raval - Raval is a neighborhood that has a cool mix of cultures due since there are people living there from all over the world. Some cool bars there include Jasmine and Ambar.
Placa del Sol - a place to have a chill night drinking with friends or strangers. People start sitting in this plaza in early evening and spend the night chatting and drinking their wine/beer to go on the ground, a great atmosphere!

El xampanyet - they make their own cava, its flows very freely (they will just keep handing you bottles) and they have great tapas, try the calamari (born)
La Puntual - a bit fancier place for tapas. A good second option if xampanyet is full as its right next door. I love the bravas and the ugly cod omellete (born)
Taverna el Glop - good place for fideua, a catalan dish that is like a paella but with tiny noodles (gracia but they have several locations)
La cerveseria catalana - famous, but they don't take reservations and there is often a line. If you go and there is too much of a wait, there is a restaurant that is also good across the street from it in a cute little white house (eixample)
El Chigre - fancy but not too fancy tapas fusion (born)
Bastaix - more tapas (born)
Bar Celta - go here for the octopus! Also have tapas (born)

Lluritú - the BEST seafood. You will always remember it. (gracia)
Baluard - A bakery with amazing olive bread (or any bread for that matter, its all fantastic) - they make great baguette sandwiches to go (you can find them all over the city)
A tu Bola - they make anything in ball form - most notably falafel. Delicious (raval)
Koku Kitchen - my favorite ramen spot! Best vegetarian ramen I've ever had. (born)
La Tavernicola - Argentinian grillhouse - meat meat meat (poblenou)
La Paradeta - seafood (born)
El Abasto - Argentinian with great salads, fish, and of course meat. In a cute lively plaza that is great on a sunny day (poblenou)
La taqueria - best mexican in barcelona (poblenou, also in sagrada familia)
La cachapera - amazing Venezuelan food. If you love cheese, this place is for you (eixample)
Bistrot Levante - a very nice Lebanese bistro. Perfect for a romantic dinner. It sounds outrageous, but try the octohummus (gothic)
Saltiero - eclectic crepe place (gothic)
Caj Chai - nice place for tea (gothic)
Little Fern - australian coffee house style brunch (poblenou)
Can Dende - brunch specializing in eggs benedict (poblenou)
Brunch & cake - very instagrammy brunch - expect a line (eixample)
Surf house - brunch with paddle board rental included (barceloneta)

Guzzo - bar with live jazz music after a certain hour, before then its a very nice tapas place (born)
Porteño - cocktails (born)
Dr. Stravinksy - cocktail bar that distill their own alcohol in these crazy beaker sets all around the bar (born)
Dux - Gin bar that makes their own gin. they have nice comfy couches (born)
Berimbau - brazilian cocktail bar with ridiculously loaded cachaça and free popcorn (born)
Balius - cocktails (poblenou)
Perros Mediterráneos - cocktails, natural wines, beer. A good all-rounder. Perfect to go to before Apolo. (sant antoni)
Alaparra - the cutest wine shop that will uncork a bottle for you or sell by the glass. Make friends with the owner and enjoy wine recommendations and snacks. She has a great cheese selection! (poblenou)
Bodega del Born - small cute place for vermut - a must do! I love it. Order the longanissa de buey cured in wine (if you eat meat, if not, they have great cheeses too!) for a nice pairing with your vermut (born)
Antic Teatre - a performing art theatre but they have a nice garden where you can buy drinks and snacks (born)
Garage Beer Co - an American style brewery with great wood fired mini pizzas (poblenou)

Don’t go to any club on the beach like opium or shoko, they are cheesy and full of tourists. Here are some good alternatives:

Razzmatazz - large club with multiple floors, has a variety of DJs and artists (poblenou)
Apolo - another large club with DJs and various artists (poblesec)
Antilla Barcelona - a salsa and bachata club (eixample)
Plataforma - a more low key club (poblesec)

Free live music: enjoy a beautiful old Greek style amphitheater, bring your own beer and snacks and listen to some local artists play. Summer sundays from 5-9 on at the Teatre Grec in Montjuïc.
Samba Circle: On summer saturdays there is a samba circle at Camping in poblenou (starting at 6:00). It is a little chiringuito among a basketball and skate area, bring a picnic blanket or sit at one of the picnic tables and hang out for the afternoon.
Fiestas del barrio: throughout the year each neighborhood has a party with decorations, music and different events for an entire week. The main one is fiestas de gracia (see pics) in mid-august. You can google to find the dates of the other neighborhoods' parties.
Wine Tasting: do a wine tasting at Alaparra. Call and ask them when they are having one. It’s a great atmosphere and you get to try 5-6 glasses of wine with some snacks for 20€, 10 of which are later redeemable in store to take some home with you!
Open air cinema: during july and august at the castle in Montjuïc there is an open air movie night preceded by a live concert. Tickets are 7-10 euros depending on if you want to rent a chair or just bring a picnic blanket.

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