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 Great wine and delicious tapas |
Torrecilla del Leal, 20 Madrid, Madrid 28012 Spain +34 91 528 3662 |
The wine list in this pleasant and popular bar has more than 300 varieties to choose from, mainly Spanish but with some French and Australian labels as well. Order them by the glass or bottle with something tasty from the tapas menu that features homemade specials and exotic treats like Pepper Steak, Cod Canapés, and Cecina de Astorga (smoked beef) for EUR2.10 each. The staff are friendly and well informed, and the bar also runs wine tasting sessions and courses. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Drinks and art |
Villanueva, 2 Madrid, Madrid 28001 Spain +34 91 577 2785 |
You can come here for a drink or dinner and enjoy the live baroque music performances every night at 9p and 10p. The decor is the most unique feature, and you will see various works of art of very different styles on display. It is a large place spread over two floors. Upstairs is the library with comfortable sofas where you can sit and chat the night away by the fireside, and downstairs is a dance floor. The clientele are mainly in their 30s. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Live Music Venue & Disco |
Princesa, 1 Madrid, Madrid 28008 Spain +34 91 547 5711 http://www.salarena.com |
A multi-purpose venue that has taken over from where Ku left off, it holds large-scale events like movie premiere parties and concerts by well-known groups. The last Thursday of each month it houses Space, Ibiza's celebrated nightclub, with renowned DJs. On disco nights be prepared to wait a long time in the queue before getting in. There are a few tables by the main entrance where you can sit away from all the action and talk. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Cocktails in a posh setting |
Calle de Hermosilla 10 Madrid, Madrid 28001 Spain +34 91 431 4133 |
This bar opened in 1955 to provide a relaxed atmosphere where an upmarket clientele could come and enjoy elaborate cocktails in peace, and it has not changed much since then. The drink list offers more than 100 different cocktails to choose from, including the Balmoral, Bullet Shot and ubiquitous Bloody Mary. It has won Newsweek's 'Best Bar In Europe' prize twice, in 1987 and 1988. It is strangely decorated in Tudor style with red and ochre colours dominating the walls, floors, tables and chairs. Nothing so tasteless as background music will disturb your sense of tranquility in here. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Stars & wannabes |
Santa Engracia, 17 Madrid, Madrid 28010 Spain +34 91 447 3887 |
Come here if you've got money to burn and want to hang out with Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid footballers. There is always a fair contingent of celebrities, starlets, wannabes, and "top models" on the lookout. Parking can be a problem as all these superheroes leave their fancy cars double-parked at the entrance. Tuesday night is "Caribbean Night", and Wednesday night is "Funk Night". But don't worry, there are lots of "normal" people here just looking for some fun, too. Admission is EUR9, and includes your first drink. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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A classic bar with a modern lease of life |
Glorieta de Bilbao 7 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 (0)91 521 5655 |
Dating from 1887, this old-fashioned cafe continues to serve coffee and hot chocolate on marble-topped tables in its spacious lounge surrounded by faded mirrors and an air of by-gone splendor. You enter through one of those traditional old revolving doors and are met by waiters who still wear formal white jackets signifying their profession. The owners recently decided to enter the 21st century and have installed 12 PCs so clients can surf the net, at EUR 1.80 per hour. If you're hungry, choose from the wide assortment of sandwiches and limited range of more substantial dishes. It fills up at weekends when the party crowd meet up before heading out to the bars and clubs in the Bilbao and Malasaña neighborhoods. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Flamenco show with an authentic Spanish atmosphere |
Torija 7 Madrid, Madrid 28013 Spain +34 91 559 5135 / +34 91 547 1502 http://www.chinitas.com/ |
A flamenco club that attracts large groups of tourists as well as true flamenco aficionados, the star performers put on an excellent show. It is arranged like a theatre, with a raised stage and tables and chairs squeezed together below. Lots of groups come for dinner as well as the show and the atmosphere is electric. Halfway through your meal the performance starts. It is expensive and crowded, but worth it. Book in advance for the dinner and the show. The show and the dinner cost around EUR64.90. 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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Exclusive disco, restaurant and bar |
Calle de Fortuny 34 Madrid, Madrid 28010 Spain +34 91 319 0588 |
A spacious and exclusive venue for the rich and famous, this neoclassical mansion has been converted into a restaurant, cocktail bar, and disco. It is surrounded by lush gardens and boasts a lovely summer terrace. The place exudes an atmosphere of class, style, and money and the doorman simply won't let you in if you do not look the part, so dress smart. The restaurant specializes in Mediterranean cuisine with an emphasis on rice, beans, and pasta dishes (closed Sat lunch and all day Sun). Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Alvaro Martinez  |
 Photo: voncookie |
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Comedians, singer-songwriters & salsa |
Calle de Galileo 100 Madrid, Madrid 28015 Spain +34 91 534 7557 / +34 91 534 7558 http://www.salagalileogalilei.com |
A long-established venue for live acts, this club acts as a showcase for stand-up comics and singer-songwriters. Recently, it has become popular with the Salsa crowd at weekends. Large groups are well catered for and you only have to pay a cover charge when there is a performance on, although that is most nights. For snacks, you can choose from croissants, Empanada (meat-filled pastry) or Quiche, and there is the usual range of beers, wines, soft drinks and mixed drinks on offer. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Xavi Sickboy4 |
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Historical refuge for literati |
Paseo de Recoletos, 21 Madrid, Madrid 28001 Spain +34 (0)91 521 5425 |
A regular meeting place for intellectuals and writers since it opened in 1888, this café still attracts a loyal clientele made up of journalists and literary types. Famous poets and novelists like Federico García Lorca, Antonio Machado, Rubén Darío and Pérez Galdós all have spent time here. The restaurant specializes in international cuisine with an emphasis on meats. However, you can also choose from a range of regional Spanish dishes. The Asturian varieties are the best. Try Hake cooked in Cider, for example, or Grilled Sea Bass. The wine list features fine wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Véronique Pilorget |
 Photo: Mark Pattison |
 Photo: Miquel Vilardell |
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Enormous Irish pub with character |
Avenida del Brasil 7 Madrid, Madrid 28020 Spain +34 91 597 4811 http://www.theirishrover.com |
More than an Irish pub, this huge place actually looks like a small Irish village, with its own little flea market in the main square surrounded by balconies and washing out to dry on the line. The pub is oozing with Irish charm and character and its well-to-do patrons can probably be credited with keeping a good part of the beer industry afloat. Regular free Celtic music concerts mid-week. The clientele is usually well-off. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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The best of the best |
Calle del Arenal 11 Madrid 28013 Spain +34 91 366 3733 http://www.joy-eslava.com |
This is without a doubt Madrid's most famous nightclub which attracts the rich and famous from all over the world as well as a faithful local crowd. It changed its name from Joy Eslava after a fire and consequent renovation work in 1998, but most people still call it by its original name. The building was originally a theatre and dates from the 1870s. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Seven floors of fun |
Calle De Atocha 125 Madrid, Madrid 28012 Spain +34 91 420 2906 |
A night out here does not come cheap, but you are sure to have an unforgettable experience. There are seven floors of entertainment to choose from, including provocative go-go dancers, a karaoke bar, a cinema, and numerous dance floors with all sorts of music. You will have great fun with your friends up on the rooftop terrace among the palm trees in summer. There are special early sessions for young dance music fans before the older party animals come out to play. This place is always full. Car parking is available. 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 |
 Combine sightseeing with disco dancing |
Calle del Arenal 9 Madrid, Madrid 28013 Spain +34 91 526 6069 http://www.palaciogaviria.com/ |
Once a mid-19th century meeting place for Madrid's high society, this beautiful palace is now a luxurious disco, open to the general public. There is a different special theme every night: Tuesday nights it is salsa, Wednesdays are for tango, and Thursday nights you can enjoy the International Fiesta. Manuel Gaviria, a prominent banker, hired an Italian architect to create the Renaissance-style palace in 1846. Sadly, the neon signs and tacky shops and bars on the busy street level detract more than a little from what must have been a magnificent external appearance. Admission: Su-Th EUR 10, F-Sa EUR 15. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: 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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Distinguished wine bar with lots of choice |
Calle Cava Baja 7 Madrid, Madrid 28005 Spain +34 91 364 1532 |
You will find this long-established and distinguished wine bar in the heart of the old town. Its wine list offers more than 160 varieties of the best Spanish wines. As for food, the house specialty is a wild mushroom and egg dish. Head down to the basement for the decor of stone, exposed brick and hundreds of wine bottles adorning every corner of the room. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Exclusive and popular |
Calle de la Cruz 26 Madrid 28012 Spain +34 91 523 1129 |
The queue outside the door attests to the fact that this is one of the most popular discos. The clientele generally consists of people in their 20s including many of the city's foreign residents and visitors. Once past the doormen, you will find two different floors, each with a different type of music: Latin and flamenco on one, funk and house on the other. There is normally no admission charge, but on very busy nights it costs EUR21.03 with one free drink. To give you an idea of prices, a beer costs EUR4.80. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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A real Madrid drinks bar |
Manuel Fernández González, 7 Madrid, Madrid 28014 Spain +34 91 429 3640 |
If you are on your own and looking for a bit of local colour, this is a safe and welcoming sort of place to start the night. It's a typical music bar, strategically located in the heart of town. You'll hear a great mix of flamenco and contemporary pop music. On hot summer nights, it's worth taking one of the sidewalk tables so you can check out the talent moving from one bar to the next. If you're here during the day you'll be served tasty tapas and raciones (larger helpings) with your drinks. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: mike williams |