A very traditional Spanish bar and café, situated adjacent to the old main town square in Vilanova i la Geltrú, and located in a building dating back to 1865.

The interior is very plain, with white walls and tiles, a long white stone counter, dark wood furniture, and large black-and-white prints of photographs of Vilanova from the 1950’s - interestingly, many featuring the town after heavy falls of snow. It could actually be 1955 inside, so little appears to have changed. Whether that makes it authentic and interesting, or a little spartan, depends on your tastes.

Most of the seating is at the main counter, or spread along the opposite wall of the bar. Everything is spotlessly clean (including the spacious toilets) and service is very efficient. Drinks are very reasonably priced, and are served with small tapas of nuts, savoury biscuits or crisps.

The clientele seems to consists of families – children seem very welcome here – middle-aged couples and middle-aged men: the latter seemingly smoking cigarettes, the strength of which I have not encountered in the UK for over 30 years. As I said, it’s very traditional...