Looking to book a seat at the Tablao Cordobes Flamenco show?
This article is for you!
Originating from Andalusia in the south of Spain, the birth of Flamenco followed the reign of Christian forces in the 15th century when the Gypsies, Moors, and Jews were forced to leave their homeland after being mistreated.
During this time, even the Moors started pretending to be Gypsies, and that’s when flamenco dance started taking shape. The whole point of the dance was to express their feelings about what was happening!
Today, a complete Flamenco show is broken down into three parts, including singing (Cante), dancing (Baile), and playing music (Toque).
It’s not necessary for every Flamenco show to be the same as the traditional version. Tablao Cordobés’s Flamenco show sets itself apart by mixing in a modern approach – introducing the playful use of guitars by the side of singers and dancers.
How To Get To Tablao Cordobes?
Located in La Rambla, one of the best places to visit in Barcelona, Tablao Cordobes is easily accessible by metro on line #3. The arrival stations can either be Liceu or Drassanes which are five minutes walk from Tablao Cordobes.
Alternatively, you can get there by bus #14, 91, 59, N9, N12, N15, and V13.
Tablao Cordobes Tickets: A Brief Buyer’s Guide
Tablao Cordobés has been a flamenco hotspot since 1970, hosting legends like Miguel Poveda, Montse Cortés, Karime Amaya, and more. With eight performers in total, each visit gives you a different lineup.
Tablao Cordobes offers three types of tickets:
- Show Only
- Show + Drinks
- Tapas Tasting + Show + Drinks (best choice).
Visit Tablao Cordobes’ official website to check the available times and choose the ticket option that suits you. The Tapas Tasting + Show + Drinks package is the most convenient call if you wanna have some light bites before the show and less hassle traveling.
There’s no specific dress code for flamenco performances. As long as you avoid overly casual attire, like sportswear, or shorts, you’re good to go without any issues.
There are several showtimes throughout the afternoon, with the latest show starting around 10 PM. The Tapas tasting session starts 90 minutes in advance. Make sure you arrive 15 minutes early, inform the staff at the door, and confirm your reservation, and you’ll be directed based on your ticket type or queue up if needed.
Once inside, you’ll be directed to the dining area on the second floor where the staff will guide you to your table. Enjoy the show!
Tapas Tasting Before The Main Event
Dinner at Tablao Cordobes is like a buffet feast with over 40 kinds of Spanish and Catalan dishes. The traditional setting is a huge bonus, captivating the rich Spanish flare that’s carefully crafted by experts who also worked on the Alhambra in Granada.
The whole idea is to bring the spirit of Arab-Andalusian culture to Tablao Cordobes, which is a big influence on flamenco.
Speaking of beverages, you have everything from Sangria to coffee, tea, and soft drinks. Cava, a Spanish sparkling wine, is served exclusively inside the performance area at a limit of one glass per person.
Overall, the Tapas tasting session is a great start to get you ready before show time. It’s not downright mind-blowing but decent to delight your taste buds before the performance starts.
If you’re a foodie, you might find better meals elsewhere.
If you’re not having dinner, come early for a good seat close to the stage. If you’re on time, no worries – there’s not a bad seat in the house!
Let The Game Begin
Now comes the best part of the night – show time!
Upon arrival, those with the Tapas tasting ticket get the first dibs on seating, snagging spots in the primo second and first rows. After that, the rest of the audience filed in, filling up the seats from the front to the back. Cameras are a no-go during the performance, but you get a green light for the last five minutes.
Once the show kicks off, get ready for a dance explosion that hits you right in the feels, moving you to your core. If this is your first time at this heritage performance, get your napkin at the ready as it promises to bring tears. The sweet mashup of the swift movements, colorful costumes, and enchanting guitar rhythm turns this intimate venue into some killer acoustics.
The front seats bear the marks of the dancers’ hard work, and you sure will get an up-close look into their strands of hair and sweat. The closer, the better, but the second-row center is the sweet spot. It’s not too close to the stage so you won’t be overwhelmed but the intimate view of the artists is right there!
The whole performance lasts about an hour, following the classic Spanish bar-style flamenco dance format.
This time, flamenco spoke volumes – anger, and sadness, all poured out through the singer’s voice, the dancers’ steps, and expressions. It’s the essence of flamenco, letting it all out through movement and music.
Final Words: Is Tablao Flamenco Cordobes Worth Seeing?
Heck yeah!
The Flamenco performance at Tablao Flamenco Cordobes is one of the best introductions to Spanish culture in Barcelona, fantastic and lively.
The food wasn’t super amazing, but they had a bunch of different options, so everyone. The room was a bit warm because there wasn’t much air circulation, especially with lots of people. I highly suggest booking a seat with dinner as it ensures a better seating arrangement!
Explore the best of Barcelona with my travel guides below: