Tucked away down a backstreet, an unassuming doorway is framed by the yellow and black hazard stripes of the Hacienda.

Inside, The Stone Roses blare from the speakers over the clink of glasses behind the bar to an appreciative crowd: some who came of age in the Madchester band’s era, others younger and just discovering them.

It’s a scene you could easily place anywhere in Manchester - 42nd Street, perhaps, or The Venue.

But I had to get a plane here. I’m hundreds of miles away from home, in the historic labyrinth of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter.

There are two Manchester bars in the Spanish city. Javier Meneses and Ariel Gejman opened the first in El Raval, on the other side of the famous Las Ramblas, in 2004, and it was such a success they opened the second a year later.

The friends fell in love with bands like The Smiths and New Order at 80s nightclub Blondie in their home city of Santiago, Chile, before moving to Barcelona to study.

“Manchester was an emblematic city for this kind of music,” says Javier, 39.

“After post-punk there were so many bands that came from the same city and it was like a phenomenon.

“Here, we couldn't find a place to listen to that kind of music, so that was the idea.”

Ariel, 40, adds: “From the first moment, people loved the idea. They were waiting for something like this for many, many years."

A ‘Manchester menu’ at the door hints at the typical playlist, mashing up 80s indie and guitar rock and 90s Britpop with a mixture of The Stone Roses, Joy Division, Happy Mondays, New Order, James, The Smiths, The Charlatans and Inspiral Carpets, along with other bands of the same ilk from elsewhere.

“About 60 per cent of the playlist is Manchester bands,” says Javier.

“After that it’s other alternative music and bands that have been influenced by those bands.”

The Stone Roses are the most commonly requested band, according to Ariel: “Waterfall is the very first song they request.”

The crowd is mainly locals, he adds, although it’s popular with travellers too.

“We have a big offer in Barcelona so they come for the choice of music. They feel at home.”

Of course that includes many visiting Mancunians, including plenty of famous faces from the bands themselves. Smiths drummer Mike Joyce and bassist Andy Rourke and The Stone Roses star Mani have all popped in for a drink over the years.

Happy Mondays stars Bez and Rowetta are also frequent visitors, along with rock photographer Kevin Cummins, who took the picture of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis which hangs behind the bar.

“Kevin was really surprised because he was just having a walk in the neighbourhood and found Manchester Bar,” says Javier.

“He came many times and he gave me a book that he published with lots of pictures from the 80s.

“Rowetta came because somebody told her about it. She loved it and she came three nights in a row. She’s becoming like a friend now.”

Among the Saturday night crowd when we visit are Middleton couple Dave and Deborah Ball, who are celebrating Deborah’s birthday.

“If you’re from Manchester you’ve got to go,” says Dave.

“We’ve been in a few bars today but Manchester people, no matter where they go, they like to feel at home, they like their comforts - and Manchester music is just the best.”

Equally at home are Spanish friends Patricia Espinosa Jimenez and Carme Salgueiro Genís, who hang out here every Saturday

“We like a lot of English music, we don’t know if it’s from Manchester or London, like The Clash, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, David Bowie,” says Carme (we’ll let her off).

“It’s not easy to find these kind of bars with this music.”

The popularity of the two bars makes another persuasive argument for the Manchester music museum being debated recently, as did the crowds flocking to events like the recent Mozarmy fan convention at the Star and Garter.

The gathering last month saw hundreds of Morrissey and The Smiths fans come from all over Europe and as far as the USA to see sights made famous by their music, including Salford Lads’ Club and Strangeways.

So just why does Manchester music strike such a universal chord?

“The music has a deep feeling for some people, you know? For some, it’s the sadness of the music, the lyrics,” Ariel muses.

Having both visited the city, he and Javier agree its music is a huge part of its draw to visitors.

“When you go to Manchester as a tourist you can see Manchester is proud of its music,” says Ariel.

“It is something very famous around the world - Manchester is not only football.”

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If you’re visiting Barcelona, you can find the Manchester bars at 5 Carrer de Milans in the Gothic Quarter and 40 Carrer de Valdonzella in El Raval, both open daily from 6.30pm.

Flight support for this feature was kindly provided by Monarch, which operates year round flights to Barcelona from Manchester, Leeds Bradford, Birmingham and London Gatwick airports with fares, including taxes, starting from £35 one way (£58 return). For further information or to book visit monarch.co.uk.

We stayed as guests of Travelodge, which has two hotels in Barcelona - Poblenou and Fira - with rooms starting from €29. For more information or to book visit travelodge.co.uk.