Dolors, the open-air beach bar that's a hit in the gardens of Vallcarca

BarcelonaIt's idyllic. So much so that it's even a little daunting to write this article. The La Dolors beach bar is located in the middle of some gardens after crossing the Vallcarca bridge. It's a success story because it's a neighborhood space run by people who love it. We talked about Cristina Mas, as she's been in the restaurant business for many years, and the neighbors asked her, "Why don't you keep the consulate beach bar for yourself?" The stars aligned, and several years after the City Council inherited this space, she won the public competition, and that's how it was. We explain the history of the place and, above all, about Dolors, who gives this special place its name.

The building, which is located next to the bar and is now an empty space used as a multipurpose room, used to be the Danish consulate. That's why the locals call it that. But the fact that this island of peace now belongs to the city is thanks to Dolors Canals y Farriols. Dolors studied medicine against the wishes of her wealthy family. She specialized in childcare and was an educator and scientist who laid the foundations for early childhood education. To support the Republic, she took charge of war nurseries when the men had to go to the front and the women to the factories, and modernized them. She is the creator of many pedagogical concepts that we now take for granted.

She married the painter Joan Junyer (hence the name of the Canals y Junyer Gardens). And like so many intellectuals, she had to go into exile. She traveled to many countries, spending most of her time in New York, where she had a radio show on CBS. He returned to Catalonia with the dictator buried, and settled in the place where we are. In 2010, when he died, he left the space in Barcelona City Hall. And although it took them a while to put it to shame, now it belongs to everyone.

The Women of Dolors

You can see images of Dolores at the bar. And now there are other women living there. Cristina Mas in the kitchen, Mireia Boya, who is Cristina's partner and helps her with management issues and whatever else is needed, and Clara Juan, who is in charge of the powerful graphic design. Mireia Boya may be familiar to you because she was a member of the Catalan Parliament.

What do we find at La Dolors? Well, breakfast, tapas, lunch menus, a unique spot for vermouth, the ultimate outdoor spot for dinner this summer, the place to celebrate your birthday, a space where children can run around without getting run over, a park where you can take the dog, or simply an oasis.

The bar is a meeting place for eclectic people, but the vast majority are locals. Initially, they didn't even put it on Google Maps. It's a space for remembrance, but also for community building. On weekends, there are cultural offerings both inside the building and outside the beach bar: music, stand-up comedy, dance, or whatever suits your taste. If you want to celebrate, they'll set a menu; if you go during the week, you'll enjoy simple, healthy cuisine for just 15 euros. The price includes a drink, bread, and dessert. They offer dishes like roast chicken with vegetables or Catalan-style cod. They look at who the producers are and try to serve local ingredients. Plus, if the tables are full, there are some containers you can sit around. They've prepared reusable cups for those who prefer to go a little further from the bar, to reduce waste.

This place can be called a lot of good things, as it's fostered by values that connect. Like the fact that the workers are from the neighborhood or from people who were in a vulnerable situation. And there's another thing I think is worth highlighting: there's no Wi-Fi. Here you come to live with real-life neighbors, not with screens.