Natasha G.
Yelp
We had the pleasure of checking out several of Barcelona's best craft cocktail bars during our visit, and Tandem certainly stands out among them for offering the most personalized service and thoughtfully crafted drinks. The decor vibe is very early Victorian library room, but the creations are modern! We sat at the bar, which I'd recommend because you get to chat with the awesome people who work here, but there's also a group seating area in the back.
If you're looking for some artistic genius, I'd recommend going to Dr. Stravinsky's, but Tandem provided an old-fashioned ambiance with modern empathy, and I was impressed by the depth of the two bartenders' knowledge. They mentioned that the owner of Tandem really likes whiskey, so you'll find a deep and broad collection of scotch and whisky from all over the world.
I gave our bartender a sense of the spirits and flavor profiles I usually liked, and he turned out an unusual, delicious, and perfectly crafted drink that was exactly what I wanted. Once we got to chatting a little more, I mentioned that I liked really bitter flavors (like Fernet Branca) and my next drink was even more amazing -- bracing, nuanced, and beautifully balanced. Don't be shy in telling them if you don't like a drink; the mixologists here want to make sure that they're serving you something that's absolutely to your tastes.
Coming from NYC, I found the prices here very reasonable, about €10-12 per drink, though this is a little pricier than the €2 wine you might be used to in Barcelona. The money is well worth it for the experience of having someone peek into your soul to make you something that reflects your tastes and mood, and I'll be thinking about Tandem every time I mix myself a cocktail.