Barcelona is adding 11 bodegas — traditional wine bars — to its list of protected cultural heritage sites. This effort is part of the city’s initiative to save businesses that are struggling amid soaring rents, competition from chain stores, and tightening coronavirus restrictions.
In Spain, a bodega typically serves food alongside vermouth, sherry, and wine, often directly from the barrel. Many of these bodegas are small, have been around for decades, and reflect the essence of local life. However, the future of these establishments has become uncertain due to rising rents and the economic impact of the pandemic. In Catalonia, increasing coronavirus cases have led to stricter measures. Unfortunately, most bodegas are too compact to comply with social distancing rules and are unable to provide takeaway or delivery services during temporary closures.
Consequently, these challenges have prompted Barcelona’s city council to grant protected status to 11 bodegas in the Catalonian capital. This initiative, which began in July prior to the pandemic, aims to preserve traditional retailers at risk of closure due to increasing rents and competition. According to the city council, the bodegas that have been added to the protected list have been acknowledged for their significant social influence and retention of historic interest and originality.
Approximately 220 at-risk retailers, including grocery shops, toy shops, and furniture workshops, have already received protected cultural heritage status. “It’s great that the city council is giving us this recognition because we’re part of the fabric of the barrio,” David Montero, who runs Bodega Quimet in Gràcia, remarked. “If not, it will end up as just another Starbucks.”
Protected Bodegas in Barcelona
The bodegas added to the protected list include:
- Bodega Sopena (en Sant Martí)
- Bodega J.Cala (Sant Martí)
- Bodega Marín (Sant Martí)
- Bodega Quimet (en Gràcia)
- Bodega Manolo (Gràcia)
- Bodega Vendrell (en Eixample)
- Celler Miquel (Eixample)
- Bodega Salvat (en Sants-Montjuïc)
- Bodega Lluís (en Sant Andreu)
- Bodega Massana (en Horta-Guinardó)
