Sexy Barcelona The city that’s young at heart There are few cities that can math Barcelona for stylish glitz _ especially after dark. From wild beach parties where almost anything goes and lover’s trysts along romantic waterfront boulevards, to steamy nightclub where the techno music booms and the cocktails flow until dawn, the Catalan capital is guaranteed to get pulses racing. Romance and sex hang in the air here and you can almost see the hormones flying. During the day, the place to hang out is the beach at Vila olimpica, in the shadow of fabulous cutting edge 21st century architecture, like El Pez from the architect Frank Gehry. This is a place where the young and beautiful gather, to splash in the surf, lie under the sun, maybe play a little volleyball, or just eye up exquisite bodies. For a romantic pre-dinner stroll, la Rambla has long been somewhere where lovers of life of all generations can gather to see and be seen. Barcelona’s most famous avenue is a wide tree-lined corridor packed with street performers, musicians and living statues. Later in the evening, the Barcelona night steps up a gear. Now is the time to eat, drink and have a blast until early morning. Those in-the-know head first to Café Zurich. It’s where everyone comes to exchange news and gossip, and to catch up on what’s happening before heading into the centre for a blistering night on the town. A cool place for an aperitif, and the perfect way to unwind after a tough day spent frolicking in the waves or lying stretched out a hot beach, has to be Ice Barcelona. The walls, the tables, everything here (even the shot glasses containing that essential slug of warming vodka) is made from ice and kept at -5°C so even though it’s hottest joint in town, you‘ll still need to wrap up warm. Alternatively, if you want to impress a new friend by taking them for a cocktail, look no further than Dry Martini. Here you’ll be served drinks of every color and description, and always prepared in front of you with that special cocktail flair. There may be those that want to carry on the beach action long after dark. In that case, the Miss Baja Beach competition at the Baja Beach Club is where the prettiest and most game bikini-clad dancers are chosen. The dance floor here is one of the largest in the city, but it’s also always packed with kindred spirits who just want to let it all hang out. For something with even heavier beats, head over the Moog, a small techno and house club with features live DJs and electronic music, and in addition to its dance floor also boast a chill out area for, well, you get the idea… But if your pockets are a little deeper and you have a little more cash to flash around, perhaps the most exclusive nightclub in the city is Up and down. Else where, the grand La Paloma is one of Europe’s oldest dance halls, and a great place to experience Catalan nightlife. The palatial halls are fabulously decorated and feature all kinds of live dance music that appeals to all generations, but as the evening wears on the sounds become more electronic and the audience gets more youthful. In Barcelona the boundaries between restaurant, bar and nightclub are getting ever more blurred. One place where this I true is Shoko, a big and popular club close to the beach that doubles up with its own restaurant and lounge bar. Of course, Barcelona isn’t just known for sexy clubs and red-hot beaches. There are hundreds of tapas bars here that exude a different and more sedate feel, and the appeal to lovers as much as techno music – if nothing else, at least you can whisper sweet nothing here! You may find not a cocktail in these bars, but the draught beer and vino tinto flow just as freely as the conversation. The old Gothic Quarter in particular is a good place to get a taste of how life used to be, a pace or two slower than the booming clubs, and a chance to catch you breath before hitting the dance floor one more time. And if you are looking for tapas, why not seek out the best? Head to Bar Inopia in the Sant Antoni neighborhood, run by the brother of Spain’s most famous chef, Ferran Adria. Inopia looks like and is as brightly lit as many traditional bars in Barcelona, and has a permanent crowd of customers around the counter. It may not be intimate, but the fact the staff wear trendy Hugo Boss outfits should tip you off that is not like the rest. And of course, neither are the prices. Elsewhere, Bar Mut offers more down-to-earth tapas fresh from the market, with very personal service. And at bar Pinotxo, in the Mercado Boqueria, the owner always seems happy to see you, as he plies you with the freshest food and coolest champagne. Not everyone wants to spend their whole time in Barcelona eating, drinking and partying, though it is easy to understand why so many would. Some people like to shop and absorb a little culture while they are here as well. If that’s you thing you’ll need to seek out the Born quarter, or El Born. This very trendy, but slightly old fashioned neighborhood is the place to be during the day, if you can tear yourself away from the action at the beach. It’s packed with hip restaurants and bars, fashionable shops and fascinating museums. From young lovers to anyone with a zest of life, sexy Barcelona is a romantic centre of the world. Fall in love with each other, or just fall in love with the city. In the home of Gaudi and Picasso, those in the know do both.