Antic Teatre: a quirky café-bar in an old Barcelona theatre
The Antic Teatre has culture in its blood as it was home to the local cultural association in the 1950s, and it was known particularly for its theatre until the centre closed in the 1980s.
Abandoned for 20 years, it was bought and restored in 2003, and transformed into a café-bar where culture and theatre are still on the menu.
The Antic Teatre is almost impossible to find. It is basically hidden in an alley behind heavy doors that announce a local cultural association.
Once inside you will be immediately surprised by the change in your surroundings: you have just left a narrow cobbled street and suddenly you are in a beautiful open and bright space, where almost all of the tables are outside.
The Antic Teatre is a quiet café
During the day, the Antic Teatre is a peaceful place where Barcelona’s natives love to come and shelter under the large tree that dominates the terrace. It’s the perfect place to relax, laze, drink a latte (around 1,50 euros) or read in the sun.
The Antic Teatre is a lively bar
From 6pm, the Antic Teatre changes costume and fills with people as the night goes on, becoming a lively and popular bar.
Drinks
You can enjoy a classic beer or something more original such the Michelada, a spiced Mexican beer. Expect to pay between 2 and 4 euros for a beer.
In cocktails, the Antic Teatre offers all the classics for around 5 euros. I tried the mojito and can assure you it has plenty of rum! Although the measures are balanced.
Snacks
The Antic Teatre offers a range of snacks: sandwiches, bikinis (Barcelona’s take on toasted cheese and ham sandwich), olives, nachos with cheese…it will cost you between 2 and 6 euros.
The Antic Teatre is a cultural centre
Today the Antic Teatre is once again a cultural centre, with independent shows all year long: mostly theatre and sometimes dance. Shows start at 8pm during the week and 9pm at the weekend.
Useful information
- At the Antic Teatre you order at the bar, pay and take your drink to your table.
- The Antic Teatre is open Monday to Thursday from 10am to 11:30pm, Friday from 10am to midnight, Saturday from 5pm to midnight and Sunday from 5pm to 11:30pm.
- In July, the Antic Teatre participates in the Festival Grec.
- There are no theatre performances in August.
- The Antic Teatre is located in the same street as El bitxo, an unusual and charming place that we also recommend.
