Lilith & Sons — Restaurant in Barcelona

I was so excited to come here! On paper, it seems like exactly my favourite type of cocktail bar and reviews here made it seem amazing. I love the not-so-famous craft cocktail bars with interesting, meaningful menus.

Too bad it was such a bad experience.

From the moment we walked in, we felt like the bartender did not want to have anything to do with us. There were only 4 other people in the bar. A couple upstairs, and two guys at the bar. The bartender was not busy at all, but she gave us the menus and just tried to ignore us, it felt like. We eventually ordered and the drinks are good and unique. Loved the attention to detail in the menu and there were so many choices. I really enjoyed the theme of the cocktail list.

I had been led to believe from other reviews that the bartenders were super welcoming and would chat about the cocktails and help us decide what we would like. She didn't do any of that. She just asked what we wanted right away. No explanations, nothing. She seemed to treat everyone there with the same disinterest, so I don't think it was us specifically she disliked. Very cold.

The guy working the kitchen was a lot better and once checked to see how we liked the drinks. She didn't check once.

Then after a while a friend of the staff came in, with the owner maybe? I don't know what relation they all had, but the guy from the kitchen and the bartender both dropped everything to chat with them and it seemed like one was the owner. They were doing shots and having a great time all together. Meanwhile, I was sitting with an empty glass for a good 10 minutes. I had to actually flag down the guy as he was walking by to order another drink. The bartender was paying zero attention to the customers and it felt awkward to interrupt them. All the other customers had left already. (Note: this was not late at night. It was early, only like 9 or 10pm, I think.)

So, service was very bad for a craft cocktail bar like this with prices like this. Absolutely no interest in the customers. Barely any interest in making drinks either it seemed. I think if the man in the kitchen was the bartender, it would have been better because at least he paid a little bit of attention and was hospitable when he did talk to us, and he explained the last drink I got. Also, the presentation of the drinks was a little bland. I like a good, ungarnished but sophisticated cocktail but these just seemed... boring? There is a classy, minimalistic style and then there is laziness. Neither of the drinks in the coupe/Nick and Nora glasses were presented well. The yellow one just looked sloppy like the bartender was rushed or didn't care. I feel that if you are charging prices like this, at least try.

It really is too bad because the cocktails are really good and the vibe and decor are awesome. It could have been perfect. I would have loved to stay and try some more, but it was such an uncomfortable feeling and we felt so unwelcome.

Very awkward and...

While visiting Barcelona, we came across Lilith & Sons. Let me tell you we did not just go to this bar once or twice...we went four times in our eight night stay! We fell in love with everything— from the atmosphere, to the drinks, to the friendliest staff. The owners were so incredibly welcoming, we had to come back several more times. The drinks were outstanding, by far some of the best we had in the area. We were hooked the minute the owners were explaining the menu to us and the care they take into creating the perfect cocktail. We enjoyed coming to Lilith & Sons so much during our trip that we are incredibly sad this bar isn’t here in the U.S. It was an absolute pleasure and if you’re ever in the area to visit this bar, you really should and you won’t be...

My fiance and I were lucky enough to stumble upon Lilith and Sons since it's not really on the main strip, but it's most definitely worth going a bit out of the way for! You can feel the love and care that the bartenders have for their bar in every single cocktail. Don't go there expecting to taste a cocktail that you've had a million times before because everything on their menu is one of a kind and concocted with the best ingredients and the knowledge of a seasoned bartender. We were lucky enough to join them for their bar opening and I've never had a bar feel so much like home. The guys that own this place are one of a kind and I highly suggest putting it on your Barcelona to do list, you'll really be missing out...