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 Café with charm |
Calle de Gravina 10 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 522 2143 |
Despite the fact that it's small and the tables are squeezed close together, this café has a unique and attractive interior decor that creates an ideal environment for a quiet chat. If you're on your own, you can just sit in the pecera (fish bowl) and watch the world go by through the huge window. The wooden sculpture of gay icon San Sebastián takes centre stage and there's always an exhibition of paintings on the walls. Most of the clientele are gay and lesbian. Plaza de Chueca, the heart of Madrid's gay scene, is just around the corner. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Try the authentic flavour |
Manuela Malasaña, 15 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 594 2733 |
Come here for good, hearty, wholesome country cooking and you will not be disappointed. Try the Morcilla de León (a type of black pudding served in an earthenware dish), Cabrales (a tangy goat cheese), Migas (breadcrumbs fried in olive oil with bits of chorizo sausage and raisins), and the generous platters of mixed cheese and cold meats. The set meal of the day is an excellent value at EUR10 for three courses with wine. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Posh clientele in stylish bar |
Calle Del Barquillo 44 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 310 4011 |
A predominantly upper-middle class clientele frequent this bar, with youngsters in the evening and over-20s at night. Watch out for the ramp at the entrance or it could be your downfall at the end of the night. It used to be one of those naff sorts of places that had zebra skins covering the walls. Nowadays, it's more environmentally friendly and huge blocks of stone decorate the walls along with the bar's brightly-painted logo. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Theme nights & varied clientele |
Plaza de Callao, 4 Madrid 28013 Spain +34 91 5310139 |
On weekdays, it's a dance club for sophisticated over-25s who like funk, garage and house music. On Fridays and Saturdays it changes its name to Ohm and plays equally danceable and more up-to-date music for a trendy crowd of gay men. On Sunday nights it's called Week-End and again it attracts gay men. Sunday evenings are for ballroom dancing and on Wednesdays at 1am there's always a risque cabaret show that'll raise your temperature. It's a popular venue for promotional events as well. You'll find it under the old cinema, Palacio de la Prensa. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 All you need to know about beer |
Calle de Génova 21 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 319 5134 http://www.lafabricamuseodelac... |
These three venues are called museums but they still function normally as bars and restaurants. In that sense, they are truly interactive. The one on Calle Génova displays a collection of bottles, cans, labels and other beer-related paraphernalia. The Parquesur outlet displays an advert from the suppliers of beer to the Spanish Royal Family, an iron mug that William I of Prussia drank from and an interesting collection of bottles from the US Prohibition period, amongst other things. The third venue is in Heron City leisure park (Las Rozas), 20 kms from Madrid. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Classic men's disco-bar |
Libertad, 34 Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 531 1141 |
Legendary in Madrid's gay scene, this club attracts a wide mix of men of all ages and styles. There are two separate scenes. Older men in their 30s head upstairs to the semi-circular bar with its good lighting and soft music. Younger men in their 20s haunt the dance floor downstairs and move to sounds of techno and house in semi-darkness. The dance floor also serves as a stage for drag shows and striptease acts. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Rosa Jiménez Cano  |
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Bullfighting bar with an Andalusian feel |
Calle de la Libertad 4-6 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 532 1219 http://www.bocaito.com/ |
Bullfight fans will feel at home in this friendly and welcoming restaurant-bar that is decorated with fading yellow posters advertising fights gone by. You can choose from a wide variety of tapas with an emphasis on Andalusian specialties like prawn canapes and mixed fried fish from Málaga. The restaurant's sampler menu offers a selection of the best of Andalusian and Castilian cuisines for EUR24.04 per person. On the drinks list, there is a good selection of Spanish wines. If you are looking for privacy, reserve one of the private dining rooms that accommodates up to 30 people. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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So much choice |
Hortaleza, 11 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 5315284 |
A typical old-fashioned Madrid tavern that serves a wide range of home-produced and imported beers, along with over 100 different varieties of wine. All the usual tapas and raciones (larger portion) feature on the menu. A pork loin tapa costs EUR3.60, and a ración of cured Iberian ham is EUR10.81. The interior is all decorated in aged wood, but the clientele are mainly youngsters. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Old-time café for gay community |
Augusto Figueroa, 17 Madrid 28005 Spain +34 91 5211673 |
With its marble-topped tables, wooden chairs, lace curtains and old mirrors on the walls, this cafe looks as if it has been here forever. It attracts a mainly gay clientele and it's normally busy, especially for the Carnival theme parties. If you come in the afternoon, when it's quieter, you can sit and read the newspapers in peace or play a game of pool. However, expect to pay nightclub prices for a coffee. A beer will cost you (EUR 2.40). Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Available at any hour |
Calle Del Barquillo 44 Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 3104005 |
The versatile premises are conducive to have breakfast, enjoy an appetizer, or to simply enjoy a glass of wine. The decoration calls for attention because of the combination of antiquities: collections of clocks, Bohemian crystal lamps and marble floors. The restaurant has different themes and many people frequent it. The food is Mediterranean, with specialties like Ostrich medallions, carpaccio, rice and salad of avocados, mango and fresh cheese. Other dishes that you can try are Ox Carpaccio and fish or sirloin with compote of apple and garlic. They have good desserts, like Apple Cake or sherbets. The wine list, nevertheless, is a tad limited. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Music, theatre & magic |
San Andrés, 38 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 445 3752 |
A classic nightspot that has served as a launch pad for performers who are now stars. In fact, it was one of the city's first nightclubs to offer live music and other acts. The programme normally features musicians, singers and magicians. The interior is designed to imitate a Spanish village, with the stage as the main square. It is worth a visit if only to check out the decor. The price of drinks is a reasonable EUR5 on average and there is no cover charge. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Best cocktails in town |
Calle Gran Vía 12 Madrid, Madrid 28013 Spain +34 91 532 6737 |
Widely considered as Madrid's most sophisticated cocktail lounge during the 1940s and 1950s, it attracted famous drinkers like Hemingway and Ava Gardner. The atmosphere still retains a flavour of those glorious years and the photos on the walls are proof of its illustrious past. Despite the glass front that overlooks Gran Vía, the curtains make sure that you're discreetly hidden from the passers-by as you sip your elaborately prepared cocktail. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Artur Kwiatkowski |
 Photo: Ann D. |
 Photo: Pablo Albacete |
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Cool art deco ambience |
Reina, 12 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 523 3106 |
A stylish cocktail bar that's worth a visit for its art deco interior and 1940s New York style mezzanine alone, never mind the cocktails. You can choose from a list of over 50 classics, including a Gin Fizz or a Manhattan. Owner, Fernando del Diego, worked at Madrid´s most famous cocktail bar - Chicote - for 32 years before setting this place up. It attracts an upmarket clientele in their 30s and 40s. You can expect excellent service. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Irish pub with good food |
Plaza de las Salesas, 9 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 310 0521 http://www.finnegansmadrid.com |
Lively, friendly and informal with attractive rustic decor, it's certainly one of the best of the Irish pub invasion. The one drawback is that most of the staff don't understand Spanish. It offers simple snacks, lunch and dinner in a laid-back atmosphere. The daily set meal costs just EUR7.21 for three courses and dinner is served between 8pm and 11pm. You can choose from a menu featuring salads (salmon, spinach, chicken), hamburgers, sandwiches, jacket potatoes, chicken wings, nachos, onion rings and heartier fare like marinated chicken, chilli con carne and chicken curry. For entertainment there are playing cards, backgammon, darts and chess available. It attracts a lot of custom from all the nearby foreign embassies and the French cultural institute. Highly recommended. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Designed for visual impact |
Marqués de Santa Ana, 11 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 521 4970 |
A fashionable New York-style club where you're surrounded by stainless steel pipes, a silver ceiling and red and blue walls with niches to hide in. The most striking decor features are the long glass and wood bar and the huge guillotine. The latter is a reminder that this building was once a printer's workshop. The music is chosen by three different DJs and you're more than likely to hear a mix of ambient, acid jazz and techno. You're unlikely to hear any Spanish music at all. It's owned by the Casariego brothers, well-known film scriptwriters, and attracts people in the film, TV, fashion and theatre industries. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Retro Rock & Roll |
Calle de la Palma, 20 Madrid 28004 Spain |
Indie kids come out in droves to dance to 1960s rock and roll and early punk classics at this two-story club. The dance floor is sticky and sweaty, but everyone is energetic until the 3am closing time. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Pure Rock & Roll |
Calle de La Palma 43 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain |
It hasn't lost its appeal over the last eight years since it opened and at weekends it's still full. This rock & roll bar continues to pump out rock, rockabilly and soul sounds to the faithful. The decor has been recently up-dated to feature exposed brick, lots of dark wood and a whole load of rock & roll memorabilia, including some collector's items, like a painting signed by the Beatles and a first edition Rolling Stone magazine. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Good place to be at any time of day |
Hortaleza, 22 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 523 2333 |
A pleasantly decorated cafe with huge windows and an interior painted in olive green and lavender, it offers a great selection of coffees, teas, fresh fruit juices, desserts, canapés, and set breakfasts. Come by yourself or with friends, chat or read the newspapers. The clientele is relatively mixed in the mornings and early afternoons (straight and gay) and predominantly gay men at night. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Irish pub with beer and darts |
Manuela Malasaña, 11 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 594 1635 |
Choose from the range of 20 different draught or bottled beers and entertain yourself with a game darts or pool. You will see a fair number of serious drinkers here keeping up the Gaelic tradition of sinking pint after pint. In summer, there is a terrace where you can sit outside and watch the world go by. Average price for a beer is EUR2.40. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Gay battlecruiser |
Pelayo, 42 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 308 1462 http://www.leathermadrid.org/ |
A three-storey disco-bar that's a popular venue for serious cruising. Although women are welcome, you'll find mostly men here. It's a classic hotspot amongst those "in the know" in Madrid's gay scene. The lights are low and the tempo is high. Come on Thursdays for the Fiesta del Morbo (Bare if you dare party). It's definitely not for wimps or the coy. Everybody ends up dancing in next to nothing. It gets hot! There's a dark room, too. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Irish pub with relaxed atmosphere |
Calle de Almagro 3 Madrid, Madrid 28010 Spain +34 91 310 4435 http://www.oconnorsmadrid.com/ |
Decorated to resemble a humble old Dublin tavern with only the most simple and basic furnishings, this pub has become a popular meeting place for both locals and foreigners alike. The live Celtic music, the subdued lighting, and the fine range of draught beers mean that it has developed its own unique character. It makes an ideal place for a pint or two and good conversation. You can order Guiness and Kilkenny on tap for EUR3. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Fun gay disco |
Calle De Barbieri 10 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain |
A large, bright orange disco-bar that opened in what used to be a tablao flamenco (Flamenco club). It's full of gay men in their 20s and 30s and some bring along their straight girlfriends. The music is a varied mix of danceable salsa, pachanga, disco and Spanish pop. The dance floor is in the centre with a surrounding gallery above that has tables and chairs for those who want to take a break or watch. There's a stage at the back and two bars. The cover charge includes one drink. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Irish pub with live blues |
Valverde, 44 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 523 4689 |
Famous British and American bands usually drop in here for a discreet few drinks when they are passing through Madrid on tour. It is the sort of place where you can relax and enjoy a couple of pints whilst listening to live blues. The place is named after the John Ford movie that was based on a James Joyce novel. Beers cost around EUR2.40. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Casablanca in Madrid |
Clavel, 8 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 531 9186 |
An obligatory stop if you're cruising the capital's gay scene, you'll find that it has a magical atmosphere especially as the music and the punters get wilder and wilder as the night wears on. You're more likely to score around the pool table than on the dance floor and there's no shortage of 30-somethings on the prowl. The interior is an evocative interpretation of a decadent North African den, with its whitewashed walls and colourful curtains and cushions. Cover charge: Eur.7 Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Dedicated to the sea |
Calle del Conde de Xiquena 2 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 577 8973 |
The theme is raunchy pirate fun on the high seas and the cave-like basement is where all the action takes place to African rythms. The rest of the bar is brightly lit and decorated with sculptures, paintings, photographs, a shark on the counter and iron fish. An amateur Harley Davidson Appreciation Society tends to gather at the entrance every night. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Always busy |
Plaza de Santa Bárbara, 8 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 319 0449 |
This is one place where you do not need to agonize over what to drink. There is no choice. The bar only serves beer, and good quality beer it is. You are in a huge room with wooden tables on one side of a never-ending zinc bar where you can sit in peace to enjoy the delicious tapas. Try the tasty berberechos (cockles), prawns, tuna, or anchovies with tomato. Service is fast and friendly, and there is always a good atmosphere among the busy crowd who come in before lunch and dinner. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: e. quintana (soul33) |
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Coffee, cocktails and meals |
Hortaleza, 74 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 532 0771 |
This three-story cafe transforms itself into a modern cocktail bar by night. It used to be a traditional cafe but nowadays it also serves set meals, delicious snacks like Empanadas (tuna pastries), as well as homemade desserts and freshly squeezed fruit juices. A Sastrería means a Tailor's Shop, so you'll not be surprised to find the interior decor features all sorts of mannequins, fabrics, suits, trousers, etc. The set menu costs EUR7.81. The price of drinks varies according to the time of day: EUR4.50 per drink in the afternoon and EUR5.71 at night. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Small place with a big stage |
San Dimas 3 Madrid, Madrid 28015 Spain +34 91 593 3070 |
This is a dedicated late-night live music venue that promotes all sorts of bands, playing anything from commercial pop and rock to hip-hop, acid jazz, and funk. Gigs are normally held Thursday through Saturday nights. There are two floors, so if you are not here for the music or want to escape it, head upstairs. The stage, the dance floor, and ledges to sit on are downstairs, as well as a bar at the far end. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Brilliant music |
Monteleón, 5 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 447 4537 |
It's named in honour of punk band Sister Ray and serves as a sanctuary for for fans of bands like Iggy Pop and the Velvet Underground. You'll hear a range of rock music from the 1950s to the present day. It's decorated with lots of posters of rock bands on brightly painted walls along with paintings by Robert Williams. At the back end of the bar you'll find a sofa, dartboard and TV. Don't worry if you can't speak Spanish as the staff are multilingual. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Varied music and clientele |
Jardines, 3 Madrid, Madrid 28013 Spain +34 91 532 6490 |
Opened in 1979, a veteran of the Madrid music scene, it was one of the most important clubs during the famous 1980s movida madrileña (a cultural explosion after years of dictatorship). It has recently revived its tradition of organizing regular first-rate pop and rock concerts for a varied crowd. The large dance floor is surrounded by bleachers where you can sit and enjoy your drinks. On the second floor you can escape from all the action down below and sit at a table in peace for a while. Admission is (EUR 9.01) Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Dance, chat or just look |
Calle de Fernando VI 6 Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 3085845 |
With its three floors offering different forms of entertainment, you will always find somewhere to suit your mood in here. There's a floor where you can sit and chat, one with a pool table and quiet corners for lovers and finally, a dance floor. The music is a mix of current hits, Latin rythms and funk. During July and August, Thursday nights are reserved for theme parties when the bar often serves complimentary canapa. The decor is minimalist, leaving lots of room to dance. The ground floor is always busiest with everyone crowded round the long central bar. On Fridays and Saturdays you have to pay a cover charge of (EUR 4.20) that includes one drink. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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A cafe-cum-disco that serves food |
Marqués de Valdeiglesias, 5 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 522 2712 |
This bar offers food and drink to all-comers during the day and becomes a mainly gay disco-bar at night, playing ambient and house music. You can also see occasional live shows. The food is predominantly Italian, with an emphasis on fresh pasta and salads. It also serves cakes and pancakes. As for the decor, the most outstanding features are the huge windows, columns, plush, red-velvet chairs and abundant candles. The dance floor is down in the basement. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Good prices & music |
Calle Corredera Alta de San Pablo 26 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 448 5016 http://www.plan-x.tupperwarecl... |
Its musical repertoire runs the gamut from power-pop through punk rock to soul and funk. The clientele varies depending on what time of night you come. The young crowd comes at opening time while the rock-and-rollers come much later. The first floor is where the action happens. The decor is psychodelia, comics on the walls, a pool table, lava lamps and curious objects on the ceiling that look like giant eyes. On the second floor, you can sit on comfortable armchairs and chat with rock and roll playing in the background. It's run by four sisters who keep the drinks at a reasonable price. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Fabio Di Cecca |
 Photo: Manuel Bartual |
 Photo: Manuel Bartual |
 Photo: Alejandro de la Fuente |
 Photo: maxirafer |
 Photo: micah |
 Photo: Ignacio Cartón |
 Photo: Juan Diego Tinoco |
 Photo: Alberto Robles |
 Photo: Silvia Arcos |
 Photo: Lenore_Dirges |
 Photo: naftaline |
 Photo: javi rosssel |
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Variety of salads & carpaccios |
Clavel, 5 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 523 3363 |
This is a restaurant, café and cocktail bar rolled into one. You can while away the afternoon with a book, or stay for dinner and meet up with friends for drinks without having to give up your table. Their food is international, innovative, and creative, and the salads and carpaccios stand out above the rest. It is a cosmopolitan and lively place in the heart of Chueca, the gay district in Madrid. It attracts a nice cross-section of folks, though it is becoming increasingly popular with the gay and lesbian community. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Claustrophobic but lots of fun |
San Bartolomé, 7 Madrid 28004 Spain |
A tiny bar with a loyal following, not just among gays and lesbians. What it lacks in size it makes up with in atmosphere. You've got no choice but to get friendly dancing shoulder to shoulder with whoever else is here. The music is a bizzare and amusing combination of Spanish kitsch, 1970s disco classics and salsa. Don't come if you suffer from claustrophobia. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Drag shows, great coffee and cakes... |
Clavel, 2 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 532 8415 |
This cafe attracts a predominantly gay clientele for drinks at lunchtime, afternoon snacks and cakes or cocktails at night served with a smile by beefy waiters. The basement is used for drag shows at weekends and it has a tiny dance floor as well. You can sit at the large windows and pose, check out the passing talent or bury your head in one of the magazines or newspapers available. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: encarneviva |