Everyone loves lists. Whether you type them on your mobile phone or jot them in a notebook or scribble them on a napkin that eventually gets lost at the bottom of your bag...making lists is something we humans cannot resist. Being a particularly notorious list-maker, it was only a matter of time before the lists wormed their way onto this blog. Besides satisfying my need for order, lists are also a quick and fun way to share stuff about the city we love. Hopefully, these lists of great things to do, places to visit, curiosities, secrets, annoyances and more will inspire you to add your own choices and comments! Visitors can get a peek at what's great (and not so great) in Barcelona, and locals can share their vast experience and knowledge...who knows, we might all discover something new!

I've decided to kick start the list-making with something almost everyone will have an opinion on - bars in Barcelona. Here's a selection of my favourite bars, hand-picked and personally tested!

UPDATE: Given the recent closure of the Sala Apolo for structural repairs, Anti-Karaoke is currently seeking a new, temporary home. As soon as a new venue is announced, we'll post it here. You can also always visit the Anti-Karaoke or Sala Apolo website for more info.

Anti-Karaoke is a fun and vicious alternative to your run-of-the-mill karaoke, the only karaoke in Barcelona that would make a rockstar proud; a musical free for all where nothing is held back and the lyrics come on a music stand instead of a screen - that's right, "a music stand, just like those used by Beethoven, Mozart and Picasso when they went karaokeing!" (www.antikaraoke.com) And the soundsystem is loud enough to make you feel like you're rocking out with a stadium crowd.

Anti-Karaoke is the brainchild of the multifaceted American singer/actress/comedienne Rachel Arieff; a punk-style karaoke where anything could happen, where the song list is Sex Pistols and AC/DC not Top 40 pop. And remember - it's a show first and foremost; just 'cause you sign up, doesn't mean you'll get to sing your little heart out. If you're really itching to strut your stuff on stage, here's some tips: get there early (before the doors open), wear a costume and pick a rockin' song. The line-up is improvised and random, but it always helps to make an impression. If you forget your scandalous duds at home, don't worry - Rachel has a treasure chest of wigs, feather boas and other outrageous accessories for instant rock-star transformation. Costumes, of course, aren't required. If you feel a pair of jeans and righteous lungs are enough to rock the house then bring it on. Need any more encouragement? Anti-Karaoke is on Mondays at the Sala Apolo...nothing like rockin' out to Welcome to the Jungle on a school night.

Photo: Jorge Alvariño

The main nightlife action definitely happens in Ciutat Vella or the Old Town, made up of city centre neighbourhoods like the Gothic Quarter, El Born and La Ribera, and the Raval. These areas are popular amongst tourists and locals alike, and you'll find a pretty mixed crowd in terms of age, nationality, etc. Certain places might cater to particular urban tribes, but overall its an area where everyone will feel comfortable heading out for a bit of fun. The city centre is safe at night, but keep an eye out for pickpockets.

El Born and La Ribera

The Born has managed to keep up its reputation as Barcelona's chic nightlife spot. Lots of good dinner options – tapas, international fusion, new and classic Catalan cuisine – and several fancy wine shops that offer tastings. Venture into the picturesque little streets branching off the Passeig del Born and you'll find lots of cocktail bars ranging from artsy to fashionable with a distinct cosmopolitan flair.

Crossing Carrer Princesa, you'll run into the Born's wilder little sister, La Ribera. The area has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, and the Born's chic factor has spilled over somewhat. But you'll still find very authentic bodegas and offbeat little dives amongst the more upscale, trendy newcomers. The upper edge of La Ribera (near the famous Palau de la Música) is home to a particularly charming cluster of restaurants and bars, including a true Barcelona original, the Antic Teatre.

Gothic Quarter

Along with the Raval, probably the busiest nightlife area in Barcelona, particularly the part below Plaça Sant Jaume. Lots and lots of bars of all kinds: chic cocktail bars, old-world wine bars, fashionable monochromatic bars, grungy rock'n'roll bars (these tend to cluster along Carrer Escudellers, where you'll also find Marula Café, a popular funk and soul club). Plaça Reial has long been a nightlife hotspot with several bars and three popular live music venues: Sidecar (pop/rock), Jamboree (jazz/hip-hop) and Tarantos (flamenco). Carrer Ferran is lined with bars, but take note: most are very touristy.

El Raval

The slightly sketchier cousin of the other city centre neighbourhoods. The upper part of the Raval (near Plaça Universitat) was given a makeover a few years back and has several lovely restaurants and two classic cocktail bars: Boadas (directly on Las Ramblas) and the Caribbean Club, which has absolutely nothing Caribbean about it. Joaquin Costa is the main bar street in the upper part of the Raval. You'll also find three authentic art nouveau bars in this neighbourhood: El Almirall, Bar Muy Buenas and London Bar. The lower part of the Raval is a mixed bag. Great, creative, little bars like Libelula, Robadors 23 (often has live music) or Miscelanea (also a gallery) and popular clubs like Moog rub elbows with real dives, but this meeting between hip and run-down, artsy and sketchy is precisely what gives the Raval it's unique character.

Poble Sec

The old working class barrio of Poble Sec is now a lively, artistically-inclined area with a lot of good restaurants and one of the most local and spirited nightlife streets, Carrer Blai. Stroll down this pedestrian area and you'll find one appealing bar after another. The Poble Sec is also home to the city's best tapas bar (Quimet Quimet), Barcelona's answer to the Moulin Rouge: the cabaret El Molino on Avinguda Parallel (lots of theatres here, it's kind of like Barcelona's Broadway), one of the most offbeat, charming bars: Tintaroja (live music and Argentinean wines), and perhaps the city's most important live rock/pop concert venue: Sala Apolo.

Sant Antoni

One street away from the Raval, but a different world entirely. Sant Antoni is officially part of the Eixample district and sports the classic grid-like streets. Although largely residential, the barrio does have several superb spots, particularly for early evening fun. Several great places along Carrer Parlament (order a Falset vermouth at Bar Calders) and one of the city's finest gin'n'tonic bars, XIX on Carrer Rocafort.

Eixample Esquerra

The residential district with the gorgeous art nouveau buildings has a few hot nightlife areas hidden in its classic quadricular blocks. The lower part of the Eixample Esquerra (the left side) is a popular gay nightlife area, earning it the nickname Gaixample, with lots of bars and clubs. The street Enric Granados (along with Aribau, which runs parallel) might have the highest art gallery density in town, interspersed with restaurants and bars, which draw a chic, upscale crowd. Almost touching Plaça Catalunya, you'll find one of Barcelona's leading dance clubs – City Hall – and its new addition, the live music venue Music Hall.

Gracia

The uptown neighbourhood of Gracia is an entire world unto itself. Once a village outside of the main city, the area still harbours a distinctly individual look and feel: charming squares and narrow picturesque streets, and a hip, bohemian yet local atmosphere. Gracia is home to the bar where the city's literati gather (Astrolabi), where local musicians play (Heliogabal) and hang out (Vinilo). You'll find great wine bars, chic cocktail bars and a dizzying selection of restaurants. You'll find theatres and cinemas and in August you'll find one of the best outdoor fiestas of the year, the Fiestas de Gracia. During the warm months, much of the nightlife happens on the squares so Gracia is perfect for arriving without a plan and seeing where the evening takes you.

Poble Nou

The former industrial heart of the city is now a curious mix of old (beautiful red brick warehouses and chimneys, quaint little residential buildings) and ultramodern (enormous skyscrapers and intergalactic architecture). The area around the Bogatell metro stop has a lot of bars (strong metal/hard rock factor) as well as being home to one of the city's best clubs, Razzmatazz, which hosts lots of good international artists. In the summer, the beach bars along the Poble Nou seafront draw huge crowds – music, food, drinks and dancing on the sand!

Port Olimpic

The Olympic Port and beaches right below the two towers (Hotel Arts and Mapfre) are lined with popular bars and clubs, including big draws like Shoko or Catwalk. The crowd tends towards the trendily fashionable (and often quite young), and a lot of the venues are very touristy.

Barceloneta

The old fishing neighbourhood is home to lots of great seafood restaurants and lots of lowkey places with authentic local charm that are lovely for a drink. The seafront promenade has a more modern vibe, with traditional restaurants and youthful, funky spots sitting side by side. During the summer, the area – which also has lots of beach bars – gets very lively, particularly during the annual Buskers' Festival in August, which fills every square with free, live music.