Barcelona’s Punch Room returns

Well, that was a hell of a year or two, wasn’t it? The irony was we all really needed a drink but, of course, quite often weren’t able to.

That’s all starting to change. Stupidly in some places, sensibly in others. Firmly in the latter lies Barcelona, but nightlife is finally coming back to that city. We’d give you our list of great bars, the best tapas but there’s a reason why such things are known as “address book secrets”. They’re secret.

We will, however, let you in on one. The Punch Room at the Barcelona EDITION is back. One of our favourite bars in any city there’s an EDITION, the Barcelona one is a cracker and, somehow, the design – English manor house library meets 19th century London members club – works perfectly with Barcelona’s undoubted energy.

As the name suggests, and as anyone who’s visited may remember – probably hazily – punch forms the heart of the menu, served in bowls to share between two or 25 people. Or two very thirsty people.

The menu captures the five traditional ingredients of punch: spirits from Europe and the colonies; spices and citrus from Africa and the east;  teas from China and India; and sugar from the Indies. Food, wisely, looks mostly to Catalonia under the creative eye of Executive Chef Pedro Tassarolo, with dishes such as Crispy Bravas or Iberian Pork Sandwich with white cabbage and honey mustard, to alleviate some of the effects of the drinks list.

Bookings are very much advised…