Go out in Madrid
Getting around Madrid
If you feel like it, take the Metro, it’s fast, clean and practically free if you buy a “Metrobus”, a ten-journey ticket to share that costs about 6 pounds. But if in doubt, hop in a taxi (plentiful on the street and also cheap).
party areas
Claims that there are more bars here than in the whole of the UK may border on exaggeration, but remember that Madrid has its fair share of bars. And you have to control your own pace. On the weekends, dinner ends around midnight and then the nightlife begins! Head to the bars first (they usually open until 3am), as on weekends the clubs never open until well after 2am (and some “after hours” keep going until after noon the next day). You will see that the best atmosphere before 10 pm is in the Irish and sports bars. Since there are so many bars to choose from, our recommendation is to do a zone-by-zone approach: pick an area of the city and explore. You won’t be disappointed!
Santa Ana/Huertas: (Metro Sol or Sevilla) Close to the nerve center of Puerta del Sol, this area is full of bars and nightclubs. It’s the most popular area of Madrid for out-of-towners and locals alike (and where you’re most likely to run into a bunch of chickens!). You can start slowly on a terrace in Plaza Santa Ana and work your way down Calle Huertas, a street lined with bars, to Atocha, ending your night at the Kapital nightclub. Or stick to the streets between Santa Ana and Sol (Calle Cruz, Calle Príncipe). Nearby are Orox, Café Ducados, Sala Sol, Joy, Palacio Gaviria, Black Jack etc etc etc.
the latin: (Metro: La Latina) A very Spanish nightlife area, with many taverns and tapas places. It’s in the back streets of Madrid’s old town, and the action is around Plaza La Latina (Puerta del Moro) and the neighboring square (Plaza de la Paja), with bars, restaurants and cocktail bars. It’s a very mellow and laid back area, and a good launching pad for a proper nightclub, once all the action shuts down around 3am.
Chueca/Alonso Martinez: (Metro: Chueca, M: Alonso Martinez) Close to the Colón Apartments, near the Alonso Martinez Metro, there are many lively bars around Calle Santa Teresa and Fernando IV. Try some of the trendy bars at the top of Calle Hortaleza and around Plaza de Chueca (especially La Bodega). This is a gay/mixed area but loved by people of all faiths.
malasana (Metro: Tribunal, Bilbao) This is another typically Spanish nightlife area full of tapas bars and small bars/clubs. Very popular with the young Spanish indie crowd, this is a pub lover’s paradise, where the action spills over into the streets. There are plenty of cheap little bars and rock music bars if that floats you. Arrive after 23:00: you just need to follow the hordes. The key streets are: Corredera Baja de San Pablo, Calle Espíritu Santo, Calle La Palama, Plaza Dos de Mayo.
Recommended – Bars Chueca Winery (Chueca Square) – in the classic old Madrid. Although technically it is not allowed to go outside, everyone does.
La Boca del Lobo (in front of Orox), Calle Echagaray, 13) Full of wolves and foxes.
Long live Madrid (C/ Manuel Fernández y González, 7) Another taste of the classic Madrid night scene near the Plaza de Santa Ana, and a great starting point for the nearby mayhem!
La Chingada (C/ Jardines, 8) Head to this cheerful little Mexican bar, strategically located across from “Sala Sol” so you can keep an eye on the line as it builds up after 2am.
Blackjack (C/Principle 11) – Is it a bar or is it a club? Who cares, it’s open until 5am.
The Golden Fountain (victory street 2) – Also open until 5 in the morning, another pub that turns into a nightclub at the time of the witches.
The Quiet Man (Valverde, 44): Irish bar populated by locals – good point of view to start an assault in the lower area of Malasaña (and a lot in the nearby square).
sports bars The James Joyce (C/ Alcalá, 59 :Near Colon Apartments. Lots of screens and showing football, rugby cricket, they also do an amazing Irish breakfast.
Finnegan’s (C/ Santo Tomé/Plaza de las Salesas): Very close to Colon Apartments. Show our card and you will get an offer at the bar….
the irish rover Avenida del Brasil, 7: Close to the Bernabéu on Avenida de Brasil, it fills with disappointed hordes who couldn’t get Real Madrid tickets, and who incite whoever plays Barça.
Moore’s (Felipe III Street): Close to the impressive Plaza Mayor and well located for central hotels.
El Rinconcito (Espoy y Mina, 28) Cozy and nice place with good food. Paul will greet you like a drummer.
club guide The clubs never get hot until after 3 am, so keep up. And remember that in Spain the cover at the door almost always includes a free drink, so don’t lose that ticket and give it to the bartender when you order!
Sala Sol (Calle Jardines, 3)A singles favorite, low-priced, laid-back, throbbing with locals and weekend ladies, and open until 6am. This place peaks around 3-4am so try to get there at 0230. If you get stuck in the queue the hawker out front sells beer! Once inside, you will lose your companions in the sea of humanity, but love them.
Joy (C/ Arenal, 11), Also open until 6 in the morning, this is one of the classics of Madrid nightlife, with an eclectic group of people and music.
Gaviria Palace (C/Arenal, 9)– A great alternative to Joy, this is an old manor house with lots of rooms to get lost in and different types of music in each.
Pasha (C/ Barceló, 11): this is the original Pasha! Another classic Madrid full of knowledgeable locals and out-of-towners alike.
Morocco (Marqués de Leganes, 7). Smaller, cheaper than others, a more relaxed experience but good music.
Capital (C/Atocha, 125) The 7 different floors of Kapital accommodate all tastes. The music is house, r’n b, funk, techno, Spanish, etc, and its go-go dancers and laser show are legendary. Open until 12-6.
late night snacks You’ve been razzing for 14 hours, the bright morning sun is hurting your eyes and you have no idea where you are… don’t despair, there’s food to get and that will cheer you up. .
San Ginés chocolate shop. (C/ San Ginés) Next to joy, try the classic Spanish after club donuts (churros) dipped in hot chocolate. A Madrid institution for revelers with the munchies.
Street vendors on Gran Vía: Check the sandwich (sandwiches), rice and noodle vendors (look for the cardboard boxes!) line the Gran Vía as you watch the colorful and friendly selection of ladies of the night that line that stretch of Gran Vía. They also sell beer cans!
O’Muino, (C/Leganitos, 14) Next to the Hotel Señorial, this is the little favorite caps bar with Mr Stag. He cheers up the partiers refueling on their way to the next club around 8am…
Shiny, Glorieta de Atocha, next to the Hotel Mediodía. Opens at 6am.
Calle San Bernardo, near Gran Vía: Breakfast joints usually open around 5-6 am.
strip clubs Keep in mind that strip clubs in Spain are full of sex clubs that bear little relation to UK lap dance clubs. That means girls don’t stop short of dancing topless. All have private rooms for much more personalized attention. You’ll find a cluster of these haunts in the Gran Vía area of Santo Domingo (the best of which is Chelsea II, see below).
Chelsea II (Silva Street, 6) our favorite costs. Entrance of 15 EUR with drink included. Includes a go-go area and more private seating. Open every night.
Caliente, (Plaza Colón, corner with Calle Génova). Just below the Columbus apartments. Entry EUR30. Closed on Sundays.
Restaurants These are group friendly places where if you stop by early to ask you might just get a table!
Casa Mingo (Paseo de la Florida, 34). In classic Madrid. Asturian cider house, its specialty is roast chicken macerated in cider. Also try the lacón (ham) and cabrales (cheese). This should be washed with cider (cidium). There are no reservations, so arrive a bit earlier than the Spanish norm to avoid the rush.
The Belly is First. (Segovia Street, 17) A fun old town Mexican with great food and cocktails.
La Vaca Argentina (Caños del Peral, 2- Near the Plaza de la Ópera) – Top-tier Argentine beef for a carnivore’s feast. try the ribeye Prayed steak. Wash it down with a Spanish red, Riverhas. This is true red blood deer fare!
tapas bars This may be the best and cheapest way to get an authentic local snack. Madrid is tapas heaven and you can really get it on any street (especially around Plaza Santa Ana/Sol). But here are some places we highly recommend:
Café Las Bravas, (Some near Calle Espoz and Mina) A true Madrid institution, specializing in patatas bravas, a tasty fried fish or octopus!
Grandfather (Núñez de Arce, 5) This place serves delicious gambas (prawns) in garlic and chili. Also try the prawns.
Ham Museum (Carrera de San Jerónimo, VVV) The ham museum. Do not say more. It’s delicious.