Bar and restaurant terraces in Gràcia were allowed to remain open as late as 03:00 during the Festa Major, under a temporary Barcelona City Council timetable running from 15 to 21 August.
The measure gave hospitality businesses in the neighbourhood extra trading time during one of its busiest weeks. Residents living around seven central squares, where terrace closing times are normally earlier during the warmer months, faced later outdoor activity on the festival dates.
Temporary closing times from 15 to 21 August
According to a municipal resolution reported by El Periódico, terraces across Gràcia could operate from 08:00 until the following closing times, if their owners chose to do so:
- 02:00 on 15, 16, 17 and 20 August.
- 03:00 on 18 and 19 August.
- 02:00 on 21 August.
The latest permitted closing time was three hours later than the usual restrictions applied to terraces in some of the area’s squares.
Earlier limits normally apply in seven squares
Outside the festival period, Barcelona City Council’s 2022 measure required terraces in Plaça del Sol, Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia, Plaça de la Virreina, Plaça del Diamant, Plaça de la Revolució, Plaça Joanic and Plaça del Raspall to close at 23:00 on weekdays between April and October.
On Fridays, Saturdays and the eve of public holidays in that period, the normal closing time was midnight. The temporary Festa Major timetable suspended those earlier limits for the festival week.
The extension applied only from 15 to 21 August. Terrace operators were able to use the later hours within the temporary timetable set by the City Council.
Primary sources: Barcelona City Council, ajuntament.barcelona.cat, Ramon, ajuntament.barcelona.cat, Ayuntamiento de Barcelona. Reported by Arnau Raimundo, Meritxell M. Pauné,Patricia Castán, Meritxell M. Pauné, Vicenç Pagès, ARA, Sofía Díaz, Carla Stavraky, El Periódico Barcelona.
