On Cabrales Street, No. 18, located in one of Gijón’s most iconic buildings—a modernist construction clad in Art Nouveau frescoes and boasting a fabulous view over San Lorenzo Bay—Varsovia is a privileged spot to enjoy a coffee or a gin and tonic in the mid-afternoon, or a drink or cocktail late into the night.

Inside, the stone walls bring together everything from Thonet chairs, Bauhaus armchairs and Chester sofas to counters salvaged from old Gijón shops. Everything in the venue looks with reverence and admiration to the tradition of the merchants who came before them, and every decorative piece is authentic.

According to Borja Cortina, Varsovia’s bar manager, “We opened in 2011 with the idea of reviving a venue that in the 80s and 90s had been a major benchmark of Asturian nightlife, but adapting it to the current tastes and desires of those same customers who filled the place 25 years earlier. We also placed great importance on service, bringing the level of service found in top restaurants into the bar world. The venue was closed, and we needed a place to develop our cocktail offering that would meet the expectations of anyone who wants to enjoy a great cocktail.”

Varsovia is an efficient space divided into three areas, which can be reduced or expanded depending on customer demand. This allows them to remain highly competitive and viable, creating atmosphere during busy periods as well as quieter ones by adjusting the space and team to the circumstances.

“When we opened, the public response was such a success that my concern was that the team wouldn’t rush too much and leave care and attention to detail behind, falling into volume. That almost finished me off—it was stress, wonderful, but deep down very stressful.”

Varsovia’s first menu was very conservative, with barely two house cocktails and the rest all classics—around twenty-five in total. Now, almost all are house cocktails, although they still offer all the great classics.

Alongside an enormous selection of spirits, there is a menu of classic cocktails as well as a wide range of house recipes, some already internationally recognised. Because innovation and experimentation—without losing sight of the masters—are also the raison d’être of this cocktail bar.

“All cocktails are our children, and it’s impossible to say which one you love most; it also depends on the moment, the company… We try to offer many cocktails made with local products—ciders, cheeses, spirits—things that, because they are close to home and different, become distinctive. I would start by recommending one of those,” Borja tells us.

“Essence of a Woman”, Varsovia cocktail to celebrate Mother’s Day

When the tide comes in mid-afternoon, it is time to settle in at Varsovia, opposite staircase number 3 on San Lorenzo Beach—a singular building in the centre of Gijón that will transport you to another era, where craftsmanship and authenticity overflow in every corner of the venue.