Do nothing

Marsella is one of Barcelona's oldest bars - some say it's THE oldest bar in town - and the owners have had the good sense to do nothing. No new paint, no makeover, no renovation. It's a good bar that has been left alone, which is the Jarvis Way. The only thing that detracts from its Jarvisness is its popularity with American tourists, which was not helped by Woody Allen filming there for Vicky Cristina Unwatchable. The Woodster filmed during the day, but in fact the bar doesn't open until the sun is nowhere near a yard-arm - usually the back of 10pm. The staff pre-emptively pour dozens of glasses of their famed absinthe before opening and you can smell the aniseed from half a block away when they roll up the shutters. The Jarvis has a nose for good bars, but any fool can smell out this one.