The unavoidable addresses for lovers of the rare in Barcelona
The term geek it is so widespread that today it can be applied to practically everything. If we stick to the description of the RAE, a person who “He practices excessively and obsessively a hobby” . is also someone extravagant, picturesque or rare. And here we could all be included . Well, what exactly is normal? Is clay pigeon shooting? Well hey, the same as an otaku. The main difference is that some are distinguished by their cosplay and others, on the other hand, are only visible when they go to the Olympics.
The former can be easily located in the geek triangle of Barcelona . A term coined by the owner of the ** Gigamesh ** bookstore, Alejo Cuervo, who was decisive for Barcelona to hold the Eurocon on November 4, 5 and 6. Here, in this area, what abounds are the young people with colored hair, comic book readers, those who believe in superheroes, manga, gamers, Warhammers painters or board game addicts . There are also some other clueless, of course, although in danger of staying: whoever does not find his place here is because he does not want to.
In total, up to 15 establishments that serve as a shop, cafe or game room distributed among the Plaza de Tetuán, Paseo Sant Joan, the surrounding streets such as Ali Bei, Bailén or Girona , until you reach the Arc de Triomphe. It is not surprising that, with these data, it is also one of the neighborhoods in Barcelona with the highest number of pokestops per square meter, some of them at the entrance of the stores themselves. Here the bait modules keep the sidewalk full of poke parties, until late in the afternoon the young people gather under the arch to face each other in the gym.
But, without deviating from the topic. Here we leave you a route through some of the most well-known places that every geek should visit at some time in their life, regardless of the level of geekism in their veins.
PASSEIG DE SANT JOAN
Between the streets of Ausiàs Marc and Alí Bei, on the right hand side as you go down the Paseo de Sant Joan, you will find three of the most popular stores. One of them is Kaburi , well known to fans of board games, role-playing or card games . In total, it has more than 300 games that you can easily get hooked on - if you're not already - while you have a drink. We only found one bug: They don't have Backpacker! How? Don't you know what it is? Well, the best card game for travelers who want to conquer the world! (Owner of the Kaburi, if you are there reading this: please add it to your shop window).
The next stop is a classic, one of the essentials for comic lovers. Caveat! If you like many graphic novels it can be quite dangerous. You will not leave with one, but with several titles. Is about Norma Comics that, in addition to having their own publishing label with which they have published great masterpieces of the stature of Corto Maltese (by Hugo Pratt) , Persepolis (by Marjane Satrapi), or some special editions of tintin , also has a space only for anime and superheroes. Two floors full of books where you can not miss the merchandising of its lower floor . It is expensive but you will be fascinated. As a novelty, this year at the exit door they have opened a bar-restaurant: Gloops! , which seems to have come out of one of his comics. The best thing is the decoration of its premises, since it has a huge mural of the cartoonist Daniel Torres that makes you not forget where you are. Of course, among the different options on its menu, a nod to Japanese cuisine could not be missing.
Norma Comics at the Barcelona Comic Fair
This part of Paseo Sant Joan also has shops where you can get the anime outfit. The best known is Madame Chocolat, where they sell all kinds of accessories, gothic clothing, steampunk and other styles. They also have hair dyes and makeup to achieve that total manga look that fits so well with the "barri".
Just a block down are the aliens4sale , where they sell different sculptures of aliens that can be painted by hand; Ninja, specialized in different types of merchandising; Ingenio Bcn , where they meet up to play Magic; and the kaburi 1 , full of miniatures to paint, play or collect. Here what is left over are artists.
aliens4sale
ALÍ BEI, BAILÉN AND TETOUAN
Ali Bei is definitely the street of monsters , because not only at its crossroads with Sant Joan is the aforementioned Aliens4Sale, but right next to it we find Alien , especially for collectors. And just a few steps further on, at number 8 and 10 of the street, freaks: comics, movies and themed merchandising. The Gigamesh bookstore, responsible for Barcelona continuing to grow as the capital of freakism, is located at number 8 Bailén Street. Under the motto “ Vice and subculture”, here we can find science fiction books, magazines, comics, movies, board and roll games. Other places on the street are Play, Games & Cards (Bailén 14), where you can buy video games and consoles; o Firefly, Drinks & Games (Bailén 43), a bar with board games, where seasons of some series are broadcast and different events related to the world are held.
Also in the surroundings of Tetuan square there is room to continue expanding the territory. Generation X or Len's Comic Café are some of them where, in the latter, you can see young people playing almost all day. For its part, on Girona street, sharing the sidewalk with the clothing outlets, is Goblin Trader, where you can find all kinds of games.
And it is that, if a few months ago this area of Barcelona, straddling Chinatown and the Arc de Triomphe, it had become fashionable due to the number of hipster-style establishments that are opening on Paseo de Sant Joan ; the geeks who have been there for a long time seem not to let the image of their territory change. The stores that have made it famous have not only turned out to be a success, but every month you can find a new corner to play, buy science fiction books, comics and, as you go for a walk, join some of the many poke parties.