Canvas- Austin, TX

Although it is not one of the most well-known bars in Austin's 6th street district, Canvas (located around 5th and brazos, just east of Congress Avenue) is a must-visit. Since it is tucked away off of the main bar area, there is rarely a huge crowd- which is a great bonus if you are sick and tired of pushing your way through swarms of drunken sweaty college kids and homeless people peddling for beer money on the 6th strip. Yet it is also a step away from the overly-priced over-hyped warehouse district down the street, making this a great in-between bar for those who appreciate a well-crafted atmosphere but don't want to empty their wallets enjoying it. Canvas-- designed in part like an art gallery (hence the clever name) has a fantastic interior ambiance, and a wide selection of drinks and attractive bartenders to enjoy.

The layout of the place is what makes this one of my most favorites in town- the bar is oval-shaped, and placed in the center of an old renovated warehouse. Above the entrance floor, there is a second level which parallels the bar, in a horseshoe shape. Here, you can perch on a barstool and watch the young up-and-coming Austinites mingle and dance. Or, you can launch your own private dance party, while pretending to analyze the artworks on the walls, which are purposefully abstract and confusing, no doubt to amuse those who are drunk and those watching the drunks alike. Beautiful Japanese paper lanterns hang from the ceiling, and the illuminated bar works well to provide just enough light to see by, making this a great place to bring a date or meet new people in this city of singles.

Overall, Canvas is one of the best swanky locales, tucked neatly away from the madness of 6th street, but close enough that you can start the night here, and then stumble over there for cheaper drinks when you are too drunk to care anymore. There's rarely a cover, and the bartenders enjoy experimenting with new shots, if you're willing to tip well. Also, the music is usually spun live by local DJ's- and doesn't consist of only rap and top singles, as does the entire flock of 6th street bars around the corner. The house DJ's like to mix it up as much as possible, throwing in a nice variety to please all dance-ready customers.

Moog- Barcelona

Tucked into one of Barcelona's many famous cobblestoned side streets adjacent to tourist hotspot Las Ramblas, Moog, despite its unfortunate name, is one of the best spots in the city to sneak into and lounge your night away.

Trendy, but not overly pretentious, this hidden techno club has something for loungers and dancers alike. If you are looking for a great small intimate place to have a cocktail and chat with friends, there is adequate bar space and various hidden nooks and crannys available to burrow into and relax. If movin' and shakin' is your thing, the bar also plays home to a regular rotation of some of the most high profile local DJ's, spitting out a variety of house and techno tunes to keep you dancing until the (rarely enforced) 5am closing time. With a couple drinks in your veins (or some locally purchased illicit drugs, in the case of my good friend, who from then on spent most of the night remarking on the soft nature of the wooden tabletop), the club takes on a new slightly more sensual guise.

The luscious red and blue lights cast a glaze of cool over everyone, and the mod-ish decor makes the place turn suddenly seductive in typical Barcelona style. The regular inhabitants, beautiful and styled to the max already, appear to be more gorgeous and appealing as ever. Deep bass notes throb through the wooden stools, scene kids and androgynous shadowy figures lurk in the corners, glide quietly to the bar, and disappear into the throng of dancers on the small but intimate dance floor a few steps below the lounge area. The atmosphere has the distinct scent of anonymity to it-- an understated, quietly hip niche for people to blend into the long sleek night. Great for local regulars and tourists alike.


Hint: It's a great idea to spend the time wandering around the conjoining streets to score a flyer for free cover charge. Otherwise, plan on dropping at least 9 euros to get inside. Which may or may not be worth the money depending on your expectations. If you're looking for a jam-packed sweaty ecstasy fueled dance floor with women dancing in cages and pickpockets slipping things into you drink, by all means check out the other more high-profile locations. But if a quiet seductive anonymous hole in the wall with more than adequate music and ambiance is your bag, definitely plan on spending at least a chunk of your night here.