Pipa Club

Barcelona´s Pipa Club is a hidden gem off the usual tourist trail, even though it happens to be right in Placa Reial. This pipe-smokers club is like an apartment, with interconnecting wood-panelled guest rooms, jazzy, late-night kind of place, full of pipes, after which the place is named. It takes some effort finding it though - there´s no signs, and once you find it you have to ring a doorbell at street level for admission. When you ring, a light will turn on 2 stories up and one of the staff will come down to let you in. Buzz at the door and head two floors up, and you'll find yourself in an old-fashioned apartment with a small theatre and a pool room, which is the pipe smokers social club. Ask how you can be a member and you´ll have access to the private lounge, with amazing views over Plaça Reial. It attracts a mixed crowd, of students, musicians, locals and foreign residents. On the downside, the prices of drinks are a little overpriced and only traditional drinks are available, so don´t expect to get any fancy cocktails! Generally it is for members only until 23.30, where you can smoke in a great old fashion atmosphere...  Photos by Andrea Paesante, andreapaesante.com