Mugi brings taste of Japan to Barcelona
Japanese-inspired listening bar Mugi will open in Barcelona, Spain, on 4 February with a focus on Highballs, shochu and agave spirits.
Lorenzo Cisi and Ibrahima Guenne are the founders of Mugi, which translates to ‘barley’ in Japanese. The bar is said to blend Japanese craftsmanship with Mediterranean warmth, creating an experience designed to ‘connect both body and soul’ with a focus on the connection between cultures, flavours and people.
The bar has a strong emphasis on community, collaboration, and cultural exchange, and plans to host guest shifts, vinyl listening nights, and international takeovers, collaborating with leading bars and creatives from Barcelona and beyond and actively contributing to the city’s evolving cocktail scene.
“We wanted to create a one-of-a-kind izakaya-style bar that blends authentic Japanese ingredients with our personal touch and knowledge,” said Guenne. “Our concept revolves around a long wooden bar counter designed to promote direct interaction between our guests and the bartenders.”
Mugi’s menu is built around three drink categories: Highballs, sake and shochu – plus the more expressive Koji and Terra creations – and Tequila and mezcal adding ‘a Latin touch’ to the offering.
The menu is structured to accommodate every guest’s mood, catering to both the early aperitivo crowd and those looking for a sophisticated late-night drink.
Reflecting the Japanese custom of early drinking, Mugi will open its doors earlier than most cocktail bars in the neighbourhood.
To complete the experience, the food menu features a curated selection of Japanese tapas designed specifically to complement the cocktails.
The ambience is designed to evolve throughout the evening, with adjustments to the lighting and music ‘ensuring the perfect atmosphere at any hour’.
The space’s design reflects this balance of cultures, with dark oak, brushed brass, and soft textiles that seek to create a grounded, tactile environment, while warm lighting and a vinyl listening corner set a relaxed rhythm that moves between Tokyo downtempo and Mediterranean grooves.
“We imagined and designed Mugi as a place to welcome everyone: locals, cocktail lovers and our friends in the industry,” explained Cisi. “We would love for Mugi to become the go-to place for the community, to relax, have fun, take a break, and have a premium experience while feeling right at home.”
Mugi is located at Carrer de Muntaner 152.
The venue is the latest in a long line of listening bars to open globally, following the likes of Under the Counter in Soho, which opened in April 2025, and Saikindō at the Four Seasons Abu Dhabi in November.
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