ERIK FERNANDEZ

Erik Fernandez @erikfernandezj

Erik’s been Raval through and through his whole life. His family runs a stall at La Boquería, Barcelona’s most iconic food market. Since he was 16, he’s been moving in nightlife circles and is currently the floor manager at Les Enfants Brillants, probably the coolest underground techno club in the neighborhood.

After years living between DJ booths, 6 a.m. closings, and a lot of fog machine smoke, he discovered his real passion: molecular cuisine. He graduated from the Hoffmann school, and this summer he’s decided to pack his bags and head to Italy for three months to work as a sub-chef at an artists’ residency. A pretty elegant plot twist, honestly.

DEFINE EL RAVAL IN 3 WORDS

“The first would be unpredictable, because you never really know what might happen when you step outside. Multicultural, because there are all kinds of people and all kinds of businesses, and they’re all welcome. And finally, family-oriented, because there are still a lot of locals around, like older residents. In fact, I still live with my grandmother, and my parents live in the apartment upstairs. Our whole family’s in the same building.”

YOUR GLASSES STYLE

“Something like these (he points to the Bucanero ones). Big visor-style sunglasses that cover my eyes so no one talks to me.”

WHEN DO YOU WEAR THEM?

“Almost always. I’m pretty unpredictable. If someone asks me to go for a drink, I bring them just in case because I never know when I’ll end up going home. They’re part of my style,it’s my personality.”

YOUR TOP RAVAL PICK?

“The Bucanero ones in black.”

His favorite spots
(and why he loves them so much)

Bar Cañete
Top-tier tapas, insane tartare 🔥🍤

Bar Kino
MACBA terrace, brunch & drinks ☕🌞

Bar Lobo
Chill vermouth, terrace with sooo much light 🌿🍷