Gato Negro

Gato Negro is a signature cocktail bar on Calle Císcar, in the Eixample district of Valencia. It is run by its three owners, Aleks, Polina and Oleksii, who also work there. Here, there’s no beer, no wine and no gin and tonics: just cocktails. The menu features ten original creations that take you halfway round the world, such as ‘Una Vez en México’, with mezcal and a hint of spice; ‘Meet Me Halfway’, made with gin, lychee and nettle; or ‘Yoko Ono’, made with rum and yuzu. Almost everything is made in-house, from the ice to the cordials. The music comes from a record player: the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Elton John play on vinyl, and several drinks are named after their songs, such as ‘Sgt. Pepper’ or ‘Strawberry Field’. On the walls hang pictures of black cats, and there’s a chess set for anyone who fancies a game. For nibbles, there are small dishes to share, such as edamame with Bloody Mary sauce or mochi. Its clientele comes from all over the world. Since 2024, they’ve been inviting bars they admire to collaborate with them for a night: Drink Kong from Rome; Apotheke; Cooktl by La Salita; and Sips from Barcelona, voted the world’s best bar in 2023. Open Wednesday to Monday from 7.00 pm. Booking recommended.