Catalan rumba was born in the mid-fifties in the Roma community of Gràcia, Hostafrancs and Carrer de la Cera. El Pescaílla and his clan champion the "ventilador," the strum that defines it; Peret made it popular around the world.
It's still played today, but it's rarely advertised: neighborhood bars program it and spread the word on Instagram or on a chalkboard. One exception is Gran Bodega Saltó (Blesa 36, Poble-sec), which posts it on its website: acoustic music on Thursdays at 8:00 PM and musical vermouth on Sundays from 1:30 PM, with rumba, blues and singer-songwriter music.
If you run a bar with live rumba, send me the week's lineup and I'll add it to the calendar.
Sources: The New Barcelona Post, Ara and Gran Bodega Saltó.