I think the poolside bar at Arola (Hotel Arts) or at Omm Hotel (Moo) is up your alley for people watching + you can order food off the restaurant menu. Good cava or cerveza + mixed drinks. The last time I was at Arola in July, Duran Duran (all of 'em rock stars) were at the next table.

When at Hotel Arts, you can check out the club scene by walking toward the beach where clubs are they are lined up. The hottest bartenders are in the second club to the left. It's huge but I can't think of the name right now...a little bit of a ways down, down the steps is Carpe Diem. CDLC was recommended to me but despite their cool website, I was highly disappointed. Service sucked even in the VIP area, people were so so and the music stopped at 2 am, the floodlignts were turned on and the drinks we ordered never came.

There's Buddha Bar OK but check their schedule first or ask your hotel concierge which are the fun party nights. When I was there in July, Monday night was good.

Plaza Real, Club 13 is ok. The non-smoking room was still too smokey for me and they didn't serve Belverdere vodka which they advertise all over. Whatever that means. Also check out La Terrazza at Monjuic on weekends. It doesn't happen until about 2 am and is open until 6 or 7 am.

There are also many bars near the Barri Gotic toward the El Born district.

Don't miss Cal Pep for lunch in El Born. Go at noon so you won't have to wait in line. It's for seafood lovers. For meat lovers/Basque cuisine,

Another lunch destination: I recommend Taktika Berri for lunch. Opens at 1:30 pm but reservations are a must if you want a table in the dining room. 169 Calle Valencia between Montaner and Aribau. It is a hidden gem and the owner, the senora de la casa is ever so sweet and attentive even to us tourists. All the other diners are regulars and all Spanish. It's really easy, go to the bar and get your appretizer tapas of choice, they count your servings by the number of plates/sticks. Then you order the main course via the menu. Dessert is also buffet-style.