Streetlife: Carrer dels Tallers

Streetlife Tallers records home

Streetlife Tallers shoes home

Carrer dels Tallers

Welcome to 'music street' where strangely clad young scenesters rub shoulders with gawking tourists and church-going grannies. If you're in urgent need of a tattoo, some Eighties heavy rock 33's, a Ramones babygro or a Fender Stratocaster, this is the place for you.

Supermercat Petit Asia

Just along from the glorious Catholic church, La Parròquia de Sant Pere Nolasc (Plaça Castella nº. 5), Supermercat Petit Asia (nº. 77) proves that even goths need to eat. For those missing home comforts, take note. Not only can you fi nd Patak's Curry Sauces for a respectable 3.26 Euro, you'll also find Branston Baked Beans with Sausages, Roses Lime Marmalade and Hereford Corned Beef sharing shelf space with the asian goodies.

Holala Ibiza

Another one for foreign folk is clothes shop Holala Ibiza (nº. 73). Boasting a wide variety of both US and European vintage (and some very hot shop assistants), there's everything from Japanese baseball shirts to American college jackets and lurid neon shift dresses. Prices are a little steep but with three branches in Barcelona, there's no need to panic if you can't find the right size. They have a much larger store just round the corner on Carrer Valldozella.

Retro city

If Fred Perry looks good on you then Retro City (nº. 47) is worth checking out as well. This small fashion shop has been supplying 'vintage for the masses' for the last five years. They may have branches in Gràcia, Madrid and London but shop assistant Fermin Machado prefers Carrer Tallers: "It's the best street. There's nothing else quite like it." Take care when trying on the boots at Retro City though, as many are inhabited by scantily dressed Barbie dolls.

Camden

For similarly revealing outfits only in human sizes, Camden (nº. 27 and 30) offers a range of sexy gothic clothing. Previously located in Gràcia and with a large selection of red, purple and black leather corsets gracing its walls, it has been a paradise for those into studded lingerie for the past ten years.

Camden

Named after the famous London suburb, they also sell T-shirts, badges and a gruesome-looking selection of toys and action fi gures for the Jedi masters out there. And don't worry about struggling to find a pair of shoes to go with your Camden outfi t; Camden Shoes (nº. 29) is just across the street.

Carrer del Tallers

Dotted around the dark and narrow Tallers are a number of more traditional, delightfully worn out-looking shops and signs. Look out for possibly the grumpiest barber in Europe at nº. 11, the old-fashioned paper merchants at noº. 22 and the peeling sign to the closed Perfumeria Blasco at nº. 44. All seem to keep watchover a street that has resisted the need to conform or change in order to accommodate the tourist hordes. The tattoo parlour LTW (nº. 29) epitomises the rebellious streak and individuality that is evident in many of the people who call Tallers home. Nowhere is that defi ant eccentricity more keenly felt than in the window of Amor Sports (nº. 65), where Samurai swords sit proudly alongside the fi shing equipment. Tourists must be forgiven for thinking that ninja fi shermen are a common sight in Barcelona.

Boadas

If a tad more class or sophistication are required, Boadas (nº. 1) provides it by the cocktail glass. Many a famous elbow has propped up their bar over the years from Kevin Costner to George Orwell. Set up in 1933 by Cuban Miguel Boadas, this is the oldest cocktail bar in Barcelona and the fi rst to serve a Mojito. Miguel Boadas made a name for himself in a bar called Canaletas on La Rambla (now Burger King) before moving into his own place on Tallers and taking the customers with him. Whilst sipping on your Tom Collins, look out for Miguel's daughter, Maria Dolores, who still occassionally holds court behind the bar and tells tales about the days when Miró used to bunk off school to drink there.

El Setanta Nou

Rock and roll is simply unavoidable on Tallers; the street is practically bursting at the seams with record and guitar shops, making it the perfect place to come if you want to make some noise. Starting at the top, El Setanta Nou (nº. 79) price everything under 10 Euros, Revolver (nºs.11 and 13) specialise in rock and alternative.

Castelló Sabem de Música

Discos Impacto (nº. 61) and Castelló sabem de música (nº. 7) both sell concert tickets. Castelló is a warren of listening pleasure with everything from Catalan indie to fl amenco and ska. Their ever growing, ever more popular vinyl selection is well worth a rummage. Alternatively, squeeze yourself into teeny-tiny Sound Track (nª. 45) that has room for all of about four customers.

L'art Guinardó

Tired of listening to music and want to make your own? The Guitar Shop Barcelona (nºs. 27, 46 and 61) is a good place to start, or take your queries to Juan Carlos Sánchez at L'art Guinardó (nº. 67). He's been listening to beginners attempt to play 'Stairway to Heaven' in the store for the past ten years and counts many a local act among his regular clientele. Finally, embrace your inner metalhead at Valhalla (nº. 68). Open every night, it's a haven for nocturnal heavy metal fans and goths who like a beer and the odd game of table football.