Barcelona – If You’Re Looking For An Unusual Venue

In November, our team of international venue finders visited EIBTM. Katharine went to visit some unusual venues, which really have a flavour of Barcelona and are ideal for offsite dinners.

The National Art Museum of Catalonia is open to the public every day and can be used by groups in the evening for dinners.  The capacity is 2,000 people in the main room and guests have access to the art collections in the galleries on either side of the foyer.  The terrace in front of the building or foyer area can be used for a drinks reception.  Very little needs to be done to the main room in the way of decoration as coloured lighting can be used to great effect, which is fortunate as the galleries close to the public at 6pm in the winter and 8pm in summer.   On the 1st floor the Cupola room is domed with a painted ceiling and statues and has capacity for 200 people for dinner.  This is linked to a restaurant with balcony looking over the city, fountains and bull ring.  The restaurant can be privatised for groups of 140.

The Maritime Museum is a gothic building in the old port area, between the sea and La Rambla.  It has one main room: The Sala Marques da Commillas, with a marble floor, stone pillars and wooden arched ceiling which has capacity of 800 for a dinner.  There is also a gallery with a huge replica ship and the courtyard, either of which could be used for a drinks reception.

The Palau de la Musica is an art deco building, with a bar in the courtyard outside and inside is a tiled arcade with stained glass.  The main concert hall has a spectacular glass skylight and can take 350 for a dinner.  The foyer area or courtyard can be used for drinks.  Alternatively the foyer has capacity for 320 for dinner.  There are rehearsal rooms and a smaller concert hall, also in art deco style and a modern auditorium which can also be used for events.  The drawback with this venue is that is can only be used when there are no concerts.  There is no parking so it is not possible to drop large groups by coach outside.