If you are looking for things to do and places to go then you need look no
further than the Plaza de Santa Bárbara, the Glorieta de Bilbao and Alonso
Martínez. These areas house a large number of popular bars, pubs, fast food
restaurants and ice cream parlours for tourists to enjoy at their leisure.
However, if you are looking for a younger crowd and student atmosphere, then it
would be wise to try out the bars in the districts of Arguelles and Moncloa.
Those who travel to Malasaña, in the vicinity of the Plaza de Dos de Mayo, will
find countless cafés and bars with live music, in addition to moderately priced
restaurants.
Many other quality restaurants and popular night spots can be found in Paseo de
la Castellana, Paseo de Recoletos and Paseo del Prado. If you travel to Madrid
in the summer months, you will also find many open-air terraces in the areas of
the Paseo de la Castellana and the Parque del Oeste. We have listed some of the
bars and clubs in our guide below in Madrid city.
Calle De la Reina 16
Tel: +34 91 532 28 26
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 7pm-3am. Fri-Sat 7pm-3.30am
This elegant bar looks dull from outside but it is one of the classic bars and
almost always has lively atmosphere. Despite it looks it is known as A-Lister
bar and mainly attracts refined older crowd looking for good drinks and funky
music.
Plaza de Angel 10, 28012
Tel: +34 91 369 41 43/369 32 26
Jazz/Blue: Live music
Website: www.cafecentralmadrid.com
Opening hours: Sunday-Thursday 13.30-02.30. Friday-Saturday 13.30-03.30.
This Art Deco bar is a great place for pre-drinks before meal or going home.
After around 10pm the Café Central has one of the best venues from Latin jazz
to fusion, tango and classic jazz shows and the entrance is quite reasonable.
Calle de Belen 5, 28004
Tel: +34 91 308 27 47
Opening Hours: 13.30-03-00
A sophisticated bar with chill-out music, dim lighting serving variety of great
drinks and mojitos. Great place to have a quiet drink in a romantic setting.
Grand Vía 12
This is Madrid’s most famous cocktail bar, where American novelist Ernest
Hemingway liked relaxing here during the Civil War. The bar still preserves the
same interior since 1930s.
Calle de Valverde 44, 28004
Tel: +34 91 523 46 89
Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday 18.00-02.00. Friday-Sunday 14.00-03.30
This was one of the first Irish Bars serving Guinness in Madrid. It’s a
spacious dark bar where you can sit around the bar and chat or have a seat on
the comfy velvet benches or you can play darts.
Avenida de Brasil 7
Typical Irish Pub with quirky and homely feeling playing Irish folk and country
music. Ideal for those who are looking for a casual and entertaining night out?
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Palacio Gaviria Club/Disco
Calle del Arenal 9 28013
Tel: 91 526 60 69
Website: www.palaciogaviria.com
Hours: Monday-Wednesday 23:00-4:00, Thursday-Saturday 22:30-05:30, Sunday
20.30-02:00
An elegant palace converted into one of the most popular dance clubs in Madrid,
here you're guaranteed to meet the locals. The crowd can be pretty young and
loud, and be prepared for long queues. Every Thursday is international student
and house music night.
Calle de la Victoria 6 28012
Tel: 91 532 32 83 / 91 521 26 26
Hours: Monday-Thursday 21.00-05:30, Friday-Saturday 21:00-06:00
Cuban live music
If you're looking for salsa, merengue or some sexy tangos, look no further than
El Son. This is the top place in town for Latin music, and it's very popular
with Madrid's South and Central American population. Live Cuban music from
Monday to Thursday keeps the place packed all week long.
Calle Barceló 11. Gabana 1800,
Calle de Velázquez 6,
This is a very popular nightclub; the venue is aimed at the younger crowd. You
can only get in to this club if the bouncer allows admission.
Groovy Mix music/dance club where you can occasionally meet celebrities. One of
the busiest dance Club, crowded with mix bag of people. The club is housed in
19th century theatre and they claim to have opened every single day for the
past 25 years.