Madrid
The only things guaranteed at this grand old Madrid dance club (housed in a 19th-century theatre) are a crowd and the fact that it鈥檒l be open (it claims鈥
Must-see nightlife in Madrid
Chueca
This place is a Madrid landmark, complete with its 1930s-era interior, and its founder is said to have invented more than 100 cocktails, which the likes鈥
Madrid
This breezy little Chamber铆 bar has many calling cards 鈥 among them, great music and a sense of being a real old-style Madrid neighbourhood bar. But we鈥
Chueca
One of the most important hubs of barrio life in Chueca, this cafe-bar has become to modern Chueca what the grand literary cafes were to another age. It鈥檚鈥
Madrid
One of the grand icons of the Madrid night, this chocolate con churros (Spanish doughnuts with chocolate) cafe sees a sprinkling of tourists throughout鈥
Chueca
Caf茅 Bel茅n is cool in all the right places 鈥 lounge and chill-out music, dim lighting, a great range of drinks and a low鈥
La Latina & Lavapi茅s
We could go on for hours about this long-standing cafe-bar, but we鈥檒l reduce it to its most basic elements: nursing an exceptionally good mojito or three鈥
Madrid
La Venencia is a barrio classic, with manzanilla (chamomile-coloured sherry) from Sanl煤car and sherry from Jer茅z poured straight from the dusty wooden鈥
La Latina & Lavapi茅s
You could come here for the tapas, but we recommend Taberna El Tempranillo especially for its wines, of which it has a selection that puts numerous鈥
Madrid
Killer cakes backed by killer cocktails served in a subterranean cavern frequented by in-the-know locals 鈥 Plaza Menor is a fab place for an intimate鈥
Chueca
This bar defies labels 鈥 literally. Macera鈥檚 crew distils all of their own spirits, which makes for both an impressive cocktail list and a striking鈥
Madrid
When Sergi Arola's empire collapsed and the celebrated Le Cabrera cocktail bar went with it, Madrid lost one of its best cocktail maestros, Diego Cabrera鈥
Chueca
This graceful old cafe has been serving coffee and meals since 1888 and has long been favoured by Madrid鈥檚 literati for a drink or a meal 鈥 all of Spain鈥檚鈥
Madrid
Javier and Zo毛, a Spanish-Australian couple, named their cafe after St Georges Road in Zo毛's native Melbourne, and the Aussie legacy doesn't end there鈥
Madrid
Out in the otherwise sedate streets east of El Retiro, this fine neighbourhood bar is one of the best places in Madrid to try vermut (vermouth), from the鈥
Chueca
Once a haunt of writers and intellectuals, this architectural gem blends Modernista and art-deco styles, and its interior could well overwhelm you with鈥
La Latina & Lavapi茅s
Close attention to every detail makes Bocon贸 special 鈥 coffee is roasted on-site and fanatics have a choice of styles: espresso, AeroPress and Chemex,鈥
Madrid
Yes, the tapas here are outstanding, but they play second fiddle to the vermouths 鈥 the selection of one of Madrid's favourite tipples from across Spain鈥
La Latina & Lavapi茅s
This fine little bar is devoted to all things Cuban 鈥 from the music to the clientele and the Caribbean cocktails (including nonalcoholic), it鈥檚 a sexy,鈥
Madrid
In a lovely bar flooded with natural light, Chip茅n serves up more types of vermouths than you knew existed, as well as cavas, champagne and spirits. It's鈥
Chueca
A happy Madrid crowd packs this place out on weekends. The food's good, but it's the designer cocktails that make the bar stand out. If you get here any鈥
Madrid
We like a cocktailier who mixes things up a bit. Among the more than 30 cocktails he produces, Carlos Moreno here does some really cool stuff 鈥 try the 鈥
Madrid
Order a cocktail, then lie down on the cushions and admire the vista from this fabulous rooftop terrace. It's a brilliant place to chill out, with the鈥
Madrid
Craft beers from around Spain and elsewhere, some on tap, make this place stand out, although the tapas also caught our attention 鈥 a fine combination if鈥
Madrid
This tiny bar boasts a mighty wine list, with over 400 wines from nearly every region in Spain. Chalkboards highlight recommended sips by type, including鈥
Chueca
This historic old taberna (tavern) is the antithesis of modern Chueca chic 鈥 it has hardly changed since it opened in 1917. As Spaniards like to say, the鈥
Madrid
Bodegas Ricla is so tiny you might be rubbing haunches with other customers as you sip your wine. For more than 100 years, it's been serving tasty鈥
Madrid
It may be Madrid tradition to indulge in chocolate con churros around sunrise on your way home from a nightclub, but for those who prefer a more鈥
Madrid
Coffee & Kicks is the place for aficionados. You can get your flat white on or try one of the pastries while perching on a stool and flipping through a鈥
Chueca
The ultimate lounge bar by day (cushions, chill-out music and dark secluded corners where you can hear yourself talk or even snog quietly), this place is鈥
Madrid
Bohemian kitsch at its best is the prevailing theme here and it runs right through the decor and regular cultural events (poetry readings and concerts)鈥
Madrid
One of the most famous megaclubs in Madrid, this seven-storey venue has something for everyone, from cocktail bars and dance music to karaoke, salsa, hip鈥
Madrid
If you鈥檝e only got time to stop at one bar on Plaza de Santa Ana, let it be this classic cervecer铆a (beer bar), renowned for its cold, frothy beers and a鈥
Madrid
Old bottles and beer mugs line the shelves behind the bar at this Madrid institution (1908), known for its blue-and-white-tiled exterior and a 30鈥
Chueca
Underground, narrow and packed with bodies, gay-friendly Why Not? is the sort of place where nothing鈥檚 left to the imagination (the gay and straight crowd鈥
Chueca
With a name like this, Bar Cock could go either way, but it鈥檚 definitely cock as in 鈥榬ooster鈥. The decor evokes an old gentlemen鈥檚 club and the feeling is鈥
Madrid
Bar, live music venue, restaurant and magnet for all things Cuban, La Negra Tomasa is a boisterous meeting place for the Havana set, with waitresses鈥
Madrid
The outdoor tables of this distinguished old cafe are among the most sought-after in central Madrid, providing as they do a front-row seat for the鈥
Salamanca
If flamenco has captured your soul but you鈥檙e keen to do more than watch, head to Almonte. Live acts kick off the night, paying homage to the flamenco鈥
La Latina & Lavapi茅s
One of our favourite barrio bars, La Inquilina has a cool-and-casual feel and deep roots in the Lavapi茅s soil. Contemporary artworks by budding local鈥