Barcelona's Independent Review Website

Can Paixano (Xampanyeria)
Click here to view map Click here to launch website I doubt there are many people who seriously consider standing shoulder to shoulder in a narrow room crammed full of people - as even more attempt to push through the crowd in order to claim their very own square centimetre of space - to be the perfect drinking or dining environment. And yet, once you have been to the champaneria it’s hard not to love it. Bottles of Cava start at €2.55 and glasses at 50c but in order to get these low low prices you gotta eat! Food however is also very inexpensive with made to order melted sandwiches and tapas starting from around €1.70. The five cavas on offer are truly tasty and so incredibly cheap – the favourite being the Rosado which must be delivered by the tanker going by the amount sold each night. They go down very easily and have more of a kick than you would expect something, which basically tastes like fizzy ribena, to have. For the sandwiches you choose your meat, cheese, pate, and any combination of fillings you might desire and they cooked up before your eyes. My personal favourite is the always good lomo y queso. Don’t be surprised if it takes a while to get served. The first challenge is getting close enough to the bar to be heard, the second is getting a barman’s attention and the third is getting back to where you’re supposed to be standing. The barmen have to pretty ruthless with serving people as it is normally so busy, but it has never taken me any ridiculous length of time and you just have to be patient. It’s more than just the price that makes this place so great. Fiddly as it may be to hold the glass and a sandwich whilst attempting to pour wine with a hundred or so people swaying erratically on all sides, the whole experience is fantastic fun. The crowd which you are quickly immersed in is invariably friendly, it’s easy to start talking to people - as more often than not you’re in the middle of their conversation – and the atmosphere could not be better. Shambolic, noisy and fun: just like Barcelona.