La Federica opened on Carrer de Salvà in Poble-sec in 2015, the project of two friends who both happen to be called Albert. Albert Villaplana is a graphic designer; Albert Macaya previously worked in safaris. They bought the bar as soon as it came up for sale and have since made it one of the more distinctive spots on Barcelona's queer map.
The décor sets the tone from the door: vintage sixties furniture, pastel geometric wall patterns, the odd pink flamingo. It is colourful without being frantic, and the art exhibition changes regularly enough to give regulars a reason to look around. Drinks run from draught beer to gin and tonics, handcrafted cocktails, wine, and a margarita that earns a lot of repeat mentions. The food stays firmly in tapas territory and is taken seriously: cured pork from Can Gori or Barrotxa, tortilla de patatas, and cheeses brought in from the Pyrenees.
Thursdays belong to Lady Red Velvet's drag show. Themed parties take over every second Saturday. In between, the bar puts on art exhibitions, live music nights, and regular screenings of RuPaul's Drag Race. The crowd is mixed, local and international, and the staff get consistent praise in reviews, including for their pours.
Paral·lel metro (lines L2 and L3) is a short walk away.
