Popularly known as the temple of absinthe and one of Barcelona's oldest bars, Bar Marsella, founded in 1820, has witnessed numerous filmings. According to its current manager, the venue has been lent on multiple occasions for film, television, and advertising productions, solidifying its status as an emblematic space in the city.
Among the most notable productions is the episode Barcelona, May 1917 (1992) from The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, where producer George Lucas and director Terry Jones filmed key scenes. During this shoot, Lucas insisted on restoring the original bar counter from 1820, an event the bar manager recalls as a significant anecdote of the connection with the production team.
“"They didn't like the Formica bar that was there, and I showed them the original marble pieces. They asked, 'Can we restore these?' The bar now has those original pieces because they put them in."
Bar Marsella was also chosen by Woody Allen for several scenes in his film Vicky Cristina Barcelona, utilizing both the interior and exterior of the venue. Other productions include Susan Seidelman's dramatic comedy Gaudi Afternoon (2001), a TV movie about the emergence of feminism called La dona del segle, and the music video Vampiros by Rosalía and Rauw Alejandro. Even director David Trueba used the bar for his portrayal of Eugenio in Saben aquell.
In addition to major productions, the bar has been the setting for numerous commercials and even a Bollywood fiction, Solo se vive una vez. This diversity of filmings underscores the importance of Bar Marsella not only as a social gathering place but also as a living element of Barcelona's cultural and cinematic heritage.
