Who is this for?
Anyone visiting Barcelona who wants to experience Sips (the bar named No. 1 in the world by World’s 50 Best Bars in 2023, No. 3 in 2024) and wants to know what to expect before they arrive.
What we’re hoping to offer:
- The story behind Sips and why it earned the top spot
- What the bar looks and feels like when you walk in
- How the menu is structured and what to order
- Practical information: reservations, dress code, hours
Key Takeaways:
- Sips is located at Carrer de Muntaner, 108 in the Eixample neighborhood of Barcelona
- Reservations are required and book out significantly in advance, so plan ahead
- The bar has a dress code and operates with a theatrical, detail-obsessed approach to cocktails
- The Esencia experience is a seated tasting menu format, which is a completely different visit from the regular bar service
In 2023, a cocktail bar in the Eixample neighborhood of Barcelona was named the best bar in the world. Not the best in Spain. Not the best in Europe. The best in the world.
Sips, founded by Marc Alvarez and Simone Caporale, had been building toward that recognition for years, but when the award came, it put a spotlight on a bar that was already quietly doing something most cocktail bars do not even attempt: treating a drink as seriously as a chef treats a dish.
If you are visiting Barcelona and this bar is on your list, here is what to know before you go.
The People Behind It
Marc Alvarez and Simone Caporale are not a typical bar ownership duo. Alvarez built his reputation working in some of Barcelona’s most respected cocktail programs before co-founding Sips. Caporale’s background includes years at Artesian in London, which itself held the title of world’s best bar for four consecutive years.
Their shared philosophy is that a cocktail is a form of storytelling, that every drink should have an intention, a reference point, and a reason for every ingredient it contains. That philosophy is evident in everything at Sips, from the menu structure to the service approach to the design of the space.
The Space
The first thing most visitors notice when they walk into Sips is that there is no bar counter in the traditional sense. Instead of a long bar with guests seated on one side and bartenders working on the other, Sips uses an open island prep space in the center of the room. The bartenders work in the open, visible from all sides.
This is not just an aesthetic choice. It is a hospitality philosophy: the idea that the preparation of a drink should be part of the experience, not something hidden behind a counter. When the space is busy and the team is working, it has the energy of a professional kitchen visible to its diners.
The room itself is relatively intimate, as this is not a large venue. Low lighting, considered design, and a sound level that allows actual conversation are all part of what makes the experience feel elevated.
The Menu
The cocktail menu at Sips is divided into sections that reflect different drinking occasions and flavor profiles: Eccentric, Art, Pret-a-Porter, and Classips. The structure is designed to help guests navigate not just what they want to drink, but the kind of experience they are in the mood for.
Classips is exactly what it sounds like: Sips interpretations of classic cocktails, executed with the precision and sourcing that defines everything else on the menu. For first-time visitors who want to understand what Sips does differently, a classic cocktail from this section is a useful point of comparison.
The Primordial is one of the bar’s signature drinks: a combination of 12-year Scotch, Ruby Port, and pera nashi pear, served in a metal cast of two hands holding a glass. The service element is part of the drink. You are not just ordering a cocktail; you are getting an object.
Esencia: The Tasting Menu Experience
Beyond the regular bar service, Sips offers a seated tasting menu experience called Esencia, available Tuesday through Saturday from 7pm to 11pm. It is limited to 14 seats and represents a fundamentally different kind of visit.
Esencia is a curated progression of cocktails — a narrative told through drinks, each one connecting to the next, with the team guiding you through the intent behind every glass. For serious cocktail enthusiasts or for anyone who wants to experience Sips at its most intentional, this is the format.
Esencia seats book out quickly. If this is on your agenda, it needs to be the first thing you reserve when planning the Barcelona portion of your trip.
Getting In: What You Need to Know
Reservations are not optional. Sips does not accommodate walk-ins reliably, and given the demand since the 2023 ranking, getting a last-minute table is unlikely. Book well in advance through their reservation system. If you are traveling in peak season (summer, major holidays) book as soon as your travel dates are confirmed.
There is a dress code. Smart casual is the expectation. This is not a strict formal requirement, but arriving in beach clothes or athletic wear is not appropriate for the environment Sips has created. If you are coming from a day of sightseeing, plan to change.
Hours. Sips operates Tuesday through Saturday, 4:30pm to 2am under its Drinkery House format. Esencia runs Tuesday through Saturday, 7pm to 11pm, with the 14-seat limit.
Location. Carrer de Muntaner, 108, in the Eixample neighborhood. Well-served by metro (Universitat or Hospital Clinic on L1/L5) and easily walkable from most central Barcelona accommodation.
Is It Worth It?
That depends entirely on what you are looking for in a bar visit. If you want a quick drink before dinner in a casual setting, Sips is not the right choice. The experience is considered, deliberate, and designed for people who want to pay attention to what they are drinking.
If that is what you are after, the answer is yes. The caliber of what comes out of that open kitchen (the precision, the sourcing, the conceptual consistency) is not something you encounter in most cocktail bars, even very good ones. The recognition is earned.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sips Barcelona
How do I get a reservation at Sips Barcelona?
Reservations can be made through the official Sips reservation system. Given demand, book as far in advance as possible, especially during peak travel seasons. For Esencia, early booking is essential.
What is the price range at Sips?
Sips is a premium cocktail bar and is priced accordingly. Expect cocktails to be in the range of 18 to 25 euros or more. Esencia is a tasting menu experience with a set price per person, so check the current pricing when booking.
Is there a dress code at Sips?
Yes. Smart casual is expected. The bar has a refined atmosphere and the service and design reflect that. Plan your visit accordingly.
What is the Esencia experience at Sips?
Esencia is Sips’ seated cocktail tasting menu, available Tuesday through Saturday from 7pm to 11pm with 14 seats. It is a curated progression of cocktails presented as a narrative experience, guided by the bar team.
What neighborhood is Sips in?
Sips is located in the Eixample neighborhood of Barcelona, at Carrer de Muntaner, 108. The area is central, well-connected by metro, and within easy walking distance of major Barcelona landmarks.
What cocktail is Sips most famous for?
The Primordial is one of their signature cocktails, a combination of 12-year Scotch, Ruby Port, and pera nashi pear, served in a metal cast of two hands. It is one of the most photographed drinks in the city.
Can I walk in without a reservation?
Walk-in availability is limited and unreliable given Sips’ profile. A reservation is strongly recommended.