Absinthe at Bar Marsella in Barcelona

It is sometimes hard to define charm. In old novels, people call women charming when they aren't beautiful or smart, but still have a certain draw, despite all their imperfections. Charm seems to be attraction against your better judgement.

If that's the case, then Bar Marsella in Barcelona is the ultimate 'charming' bar. On paper it's a paint peeling, tobacco stained tourist trap selling rip off absinthe and sugar cubes to exchange students and Hemmingway fans. On paper, it's not a place I bothered to visit the first four times I came to Barcelona. But this year I did visit and the charm got me:

 



More about Bar Marsella in the New York Times.