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Flamenco Entertainment Nightlife

  1. A

    Cardamomo

    One of the spiritual homes of flamenco in Madrid, Cardamomo is a dark, smoky bar that draws a knowledgeable crowd. It has lost a little atmosphere after a recent change of owner, but the flamenco is top-notch and there are nightly shows at 10pm.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Corral de la Morería

    This is one of the most prestigious flamenco stages in Madrid, with 50 years’ experience as a leading flamenco venue and top performers most nights. The stage area has a rustic feel, and tables are pushed up close. We’d steer clear of the restaurant, which is overpriced (from €43), but the performances have a far better price-quality ratio. This is where international celebrities (eg Marlene Dietrich, Marlon Brando, Muhammad Ali and Omar Sharif) have all gone for their flamenco fix when in town.

    reviewed

  3. C

    Casa Anselma

    If you can squeeze in past the foreboding form of Anselma (a celebrated Triana flamenco dancer) at the door, you’ll quickly realise that anything can happen in here. Casa Anselma is the antithesis of a tourist flamenco tablao, with cheek-to-jowl crowds, thick cigarette smoke, zero amplification and spontaneous outbreaks of dexterous dancing. Pure magic. (Beware: there’s no sign, just a doorway embellished with azulejos tiles.)

    Anselma is in Triana about 200m from the western side of the Puente de Isabel II.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Casa Patas

    One of the top flamenco stages in Madrid, this tablao (flamenco venue) always offers flawless quality that serves as a good introduction to the art. It’s not the friendliest place in town, especially if you’re only here for the show, and you’re likely to be crammed in a little, but no one complains about the standard of the performances.

    reviewed

  5. E

    Peña Flamenca La Perla

    The paint-peeled Peña La Perla, set romantically next to the crashing Atlantic surf, hosts flamenco nights at 10pm most Fridays, more so in spring and summer. It's right beside the ocean just off Calle Concepción Arenal in the Barrio de Santa María, entry is free and the audience is stuffed with aficionados. It’s an unforgettable experience.

    reviewed

  6. F

    Las Tablas

    Las Tablas has quickly earned a reputation for quality flamenco. Most nights you’ll see a classic flamenco show, with plenty of throaty singing and soul-baring dancing. Antonia Moya and Marisol Navarro, leading lights in the flamenco world, are regular performers here.

    reviewed

  7. G

    Sala Tarantos

    Since 1963, this basement locale has been the stage for up-and-coming flamenco groups performing in Barcelona. These days Tarantos has become a mostly tourist-centric affair, with half-hour shows held three times a night. Still, it's a good introduction to flamenco, and not a bad setting for a drink.

    reviewed

  8. H

    Los Gallos

    An above-average Santa Cruz tablao where some top-notch flamenco artists have trodden the boards. There are two-hour shows at 8pm and 10.30pm nightly for €30, including one drink, in a kind of old-school jazz club set-up (comfy chairs and small, low drinks tables).

    reviewed

  9. I

    Tiempo de Gitanos

    This Palermo Hollywood venue offers good flamenco shows in an intimate restaurant setting, but – unlike the dancing – the tapas and seafood paella might be less than authentic. Reserve in advance.

    reviewed

  10. J

    Tablao de Carmen

    Named after the great Barcelona bailaora (flamenco dancer) Carmen Amaya, the set-up at this establishment is similar to that at the Tablao Cordobés.

    reviewed

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  12. K

    Liceo

    This place is a little hard to find – especially late at night after a couple of beers – but persevere as it is well worth it. Housed in a sumptuous historical building with original tilework, dusty chandeliers and lofty ceilings, the Liceo is a venue for live flamenco during the week but morphs into a rollicking disco from Thursday to Saturday.

    reviewed

  13. L

    Cantares

    This intimate flamenco venue once hosted the Spanish poet Federico García Lorca. Dances are highly authentic. Lessons also available.

    reviewed

  14. M

    Ávila Bar

    Long-running and cozy Spanish restaurant with pricey shows, but tasty meals are thrown in (drinks extra). Reserve on weekends.

    reviewed

  15. N

    Tablao Cordobés

    This tablao (restaurant where flamenco is performed) is typical of its genre and has been in business since 1970. Artists perform on a tiny hardwood stage with a vaulted backdrop that is supposed to make us think of Granada’s El Alhambra. Generally, tourists book for the dinner and show, although you can skip the food and just come along for the performance (about 1¼ hours). Some great names have come through here, so it is not always cheese.

    reviewed

  16. O

    Círculo de Artistas

    Stages flamenco shows in a sumptuous historical building on the square from 10pm, as well as other song and dance performances. Note unconventional weekday timings.

    reviewed

  17. P

    Tablao El Arenal

    Of the three places in Seville that offer flamenco dinner shows this – ask any local – is the best. A smaller seating capacity (100 compared to 600 at the Palacio Andaluz) offers greater intimacy, although, as a big venue, it still lacks the grit and – invariably – duende (flamenco spirit) of the peñas (small flamenco clubs).

    reviewed

  18. Q

    Peña de la Platería

    Buried in the Albayzín warren, Peña La Platería claims to be the oldest flamenco aficionados’ club in Spain. It’s a private affair, though, and not always open to nonmembers. Performances are usually Thursday and Saturday at 10.30pm – look presentable, and speak a little Spanish at the door, if you can.

    reviewed

  19. R

    Le Chien Andalou

    This is one of Granada’s most atmospheric venues to enjoy some vigorous castanet-clicking flamenco with a varied and professional line-up of musicians and dancers throughout the week. The cave-like surroundings of a renovated aljibe (well) create a fittingly moody setting and the whole place has a more genuine feel to it than the Sacramonte coach-tour traps. Book through the website.

    reviewed

  20. S

    La Pataita de Antonio

    'Antonio' is renowned flamenco dancer Antonio Modéjar, and this is his project: a living space for the art where young up-and-comers delight aficionados with their dazzling licks. Performances nightly plus matinees Fridays and Saturdays.

    reviewed

  21. T

    La Cava

    Cádiz's main tablao (organised flamenco show) happens in a rustically bedecked tavern with drinks and tapas. It's professional, if heavy with tourists (the hotels push it).

    reviewed

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  23. U

    Casa de la Memoria de Al-Andalus

    This flamenco tablao (places that stage professional flamenco shows) in Santa Cruz is without doubt the most intimate and authentic nightly flamenco show outside the Museo del Baile Flamenco, offering a wide variety of palos (flamenco styles) in a courtyard of shifting shadows and overhanging plants. Space is limited to 100, so reserve tickets a day or so in advance by calling or visiting the venue.

    reviewed

  24. V

    Las Carboneras

    Like most of the tablaos around town, this place sees far more tourists than locals, but the quality is top-notch. It’s not the place for gritty, soul-moving spontaneity, but it’s still an excellent introduction and one of the few places that flamenco aficionados seem to have no complaints about.

    reviewed

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