Antigüedades Bar de Tapas — Restaurant in Seville

Bar Antiguidades positions itself as a beacon of ambiance in the heart of Seville, promising an experience as enriching as the city’s storied streets. With its promise of an unparalleled atmosphere, one might expect a visit to this bar to be a highlight of any Seville itinerary. Yet, our experience was a tapestry woven with threads of inconsistency, leaving us to ponder what could have been.

Upon arrival, our initial encounter was disheartening. Despite the allure of its interior, we were promptly informed by a waiter that seating was exclusive to the outdoor terrace—a directive contradicted mere moments later as another party was welcomed indoors. This inconsistency in service was our first taste of the unevenness that would characterize our visit.

The staff presented a dichotomy of service. While one waitress displayed exceptional efficiency and warmth, lighting up the terrace with her professionalism and ensuring our comfort with a fine selection of wine, another server seemed almost phantom-like, elusive in presence and engagement. This disparity in service quality not only marred the potential for a consistently pleasant experience but also cast a shadow over the establishment’s overall charm.

The ultimate test, however, lay in the culinary offerings—a domain where Bar Antiguidades had the opportunity to redeem itself. Regrettably, the food did not live up to Seville’s celebrated tapas tradition. The tortillita de camarones, anticipated with eagerness, fell dramatically short of expectations. What was meant to be a flavorful ode to shrimp was instead a lackluster affair, where the essence of shrimp was but a whisper, an insubstantial shadow of what one might find elsewhere in the city. It was, to our dismay, the least memorable tapa we encountered in Seville.

In sum, Bar Antiguidades is a venue of contrasting experiences. Its ambiance beckons with the promise of a quintessential Sevillian night, yet this potential is compromised by a roulette of service quality and culinary mediocrity. For a place teeming with such potential, it is disheartening to see it fall short. One can only hope for improvement, for with more consistent service and a revitalized approach to its menu, Bar Antiguidades could yet become a jewel in Seville’s vibrant...

We came straight here after spending the morning at the Sevilla Cathedral. We were able to get a table (plentiful outdoor and indoor seating) relatively quickly even though we did have to find someone inside to be seated. We ordered the peppers (these are roasted red peppers, not the small fried green peppers that we were constantly on the search for), squid (pictured, fresh and well-seasoned), paella (nothing to write home about but fine), pork cheek with fries (excellent, extremely tender and flavorful, delicious), and a pitcher of sangria. We would come back here!

Pros: good location, fairly good food, good value, cozy ambiance, plentiful seating, English menu Cons: none

As a side note, I see that other reviewers have complained about the service here. Although we did have to seek someone out and wait briefly to speak to them to be seated, I think this is not because the service is poor but because 1) the waiters are busy because there is a fairly large establishment and 2) the culture of eating in Spain is more relaxed. Often, I find that some tourists (myself included) are in a rush to be seated, eat very quickly, and then leave to their next destination. If you are in a rush during the busiest eating hours, you will find "poor service" everywhere, not just here. We found the waiters to be quite pleasant and willing to accommodate us even though they were busy. Don't be dissuaded by some of...

A horrible welcome to Sevilla. The staff are rude and condescending. We attempted to stop for a drink. We ordered two Negronis -- the waiter literally laughed at us and said "we don't make cocktails here", meanwhile there were people near us with mojitos and other such things. A Negroni is one of the simplest cocktails to make... Gin, Campari, Vermouth (all of which they have on their menu and in the bar). Nonetheless, we moved on and ordered a whiskey and a glass of wine... only to be received with attitude and confusion. When we ordered another round, the waitress seemed confused because there was a small amount of wine in the glass still and said "Shouldn't you finish that before I bring you more?"... the attitude and just rude behaviour here is gross. Not sure if it's because I'm from Canada and my partner is from Mexico, and our Spanish is different... but it very much felt like we were being singled out for some reason. There are many more places in Sevilla that will treat you with kindness and respect... stay away...