Entertainment in Spain
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Tupperware
A Malasaña stalwart and prime candidate for the bar that best catches the enduring rockero spirit of Malasaña, Tupperware draws a 30-something crowd, spins indie rock with a bit of soul and classics from the ’60s and ’70s, and generally revels in its kitsch (eyeballs stuck to the ceiling, and plastic TVs with action-figure dioramas lined up behind the bar). By the way, locals pronounce it ‘Tupper-warry’.
reviewed
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Teatro Joy Eslava
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 will be open. (The club claims to have opened every single day for the past 29 years.) The music and the crowd are a mixed bag, but queues are long and invariably include locals and tourists, and even the occasional famoso.
reviewed
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El Gato Lounge
If it's a louder ambience you're looking for, you'll find the pink party at the mega clubs and gay bars in Torremolinos. That's right, the 'in crowd' goes to Torremolinos for fun!! What had turned into a decayed symbol of a better past is now making a comeback. New bars, restaurants and clubs are opening and the area is becoming one of the major gay holiday destinations in Spain.
La Nogalera (close to Torremolinos train station) is the centre of BLGT - bi, lesbian, gay and transgendered - tourism in the province. Here, the variety of bars, pubs, clubs and discos guarantees a good time. Check out the new and trendy El Gato Lounge, where cool cats chill over a beer and a bi…
reviewed
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Sala el Sol
This opened in 1979, just in time for la movida, and quickly established itself as a leading stage for all the icons of the era, such as Nacha Pop and Alaska y los Pegamoides. La movida may have faded into history, but it lives on at El Sol, where the music rocks and rolls and usually resurrects the ’70s and ’80s while soul and funk also get a run. It’s a terrific venue and opening times vary – most concerts start around 11pm but can be as ‘early’ as 10pm. Check the website (which also allows you to book online) for upcoming acts.
reviewed
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Liquid
Guys and gals board their metal steeds on hot summer nights to bear down on one of the top outdoor club scenes in town (or rather out of town, since it’s in neighbouring L’Hospitalet de Llobregat). Liquid says what it is. A palm-studded islet is surrounded by a bottom-lit azure moat that tempts surprisingly few folks to plunge in while dancing the night away in this megaclub. Local and foreign DJs keep the punters, a mixed crowd from all over town, in the groove in a series of different internal spaces, as well as poolside.
reviewed
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Museo Chicote
The founder of this Madrid landmark is said to have invented more than a hundred cocktails, which the likes of Hemingway, Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren and Frank Sinatra all enjoyed at one time or another. It’s still frequented by film stars and top socialites, and it’s at its best after midnight when a lounge atmosphere takes over, couples cuddle on the curved benches and some of the city’s best DJs do their stuff. The 1930s-era interior only adds to the cachet of this place.
reviewed
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El Berlín Jazz Club
El Berlín has been something of a Madrid jazz stalwart since the 1950s and it’s the kind of place that serious jazz fans rave about as the most authentic in town – it’s all about classic jazz here, with none of the fusion performances that you find elsewhere. The art-deco interior ads to the charm and the headline acts are a Who’s Who of world jazz. The headline acts take to the stage at 11.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays, with other performances sprinkled throughout the week.
reviewed
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El Mojito
El Mojito is a modern temple to one of the favourite drinks of madrileños. In fact, it doesn’t really serve much else, but the price is right (€6) and the crowd is oh-so-cool and all dressed in black; the music (often live on Thursdays) is as Cuban as the mojitos. Space is always at a premium (the wall-to-ceiling mirrors make it look larger than it is).
reviewed
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La Vía Láctea
This living, breathing and somewhat grungy relic of la movida, La Vía Láctea remains a Malasaña favourite for a mixed, informal crowd who seems to live for the 1980s, and the music here ranges across rock, pop, garage, rockabilly and indie. There are plenty of drinks to choose from and by late Saturday night anything goes. Expect long queues to get in on weekends.
reviewed
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Morocco
Owned by the zany Alaska, the stand-out musical personality of la movida, Morocco has decor that's so kitsch it's cool, and a mix of musical styles that never strays too far from 1980s Spanish and international tunes. The bouncers can be a bit shirty, but then it's not the most amiable profession in the world, now is it?
reviewed
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El Son
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 concerts Monday through Thursday keep the place packed all week long.
reviewed
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Palacio Gaviria
A recently renovated palace converted into one of the most popular dance clubs in Madrid, this is the kind of place where the crowd can be pretty young and boisterous and the queues long. Thursday is international student and house music night – international relations have never been so much fun.
reviewed
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Palau de Dalmases - Espai Barroc
Perhaps the most pretentious bar in town, this 'baroque space' occupies the ground floor of a handsome 15th-century palace. Like a Peter Greenaway set, it is often the stage for a little light baroque music or operetta - the perfect accompaniment to your outlandishly priced goblets of wine.
reviewed
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Robadors 23
On what remains a classic dodgy El Raval street, where a hardy band of streetwalkers, junkies and other misfits hangs out in spite of all the work being carried out to gentrify the area, a narrow little bar has made a name for itself with its Wednesday night gigs.
reviewed
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Casa de la Memoria de al-Andalus
This flamenco tablao in Santa Cruz is probably the most intimate and authentic nightly flamenco show, offering a wide variety of flamenco styles in a room of shifting shadows. Space is limited to 100, so reserve tickets in advance.
reviewed
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Granada 10
A glittery converted cinema is now Granada’s top club for the glam crowd, who recline on the gold sofas and go crazy to cheesy Spanish pop tunes.
reviewed
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Local Café Bar Lounge
With its swirling colour scheme, funky soul, disco and deep House beats and a predominantly gay crowd, Local is Chueca in a nutshell.
reviewed
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Tetería El Harén
A large teahouse that rambles over several floors with lots of private nooks. Live music Thursday to Saturday evenings.
reviewed
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Maiden's
Maiden's (for heavy metal maniacs) offers boisterous beer and thumping tunes from 22:00 until about 03:00.
reviewed
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Metro
Metro attracts a casual gay crowd with its two dance floors, three bars and very dark room. Keep an eye out for shows and parties, which can range from parades of models to bingo nights (on Thursday nights, with sometimes-interesting prizes). On Wednesday nights there’s a live sex show.
reviewed
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Onda Pasadena
With jazz on Tuesday and flamenco on Thursday, has regular live music, mostly rock, but not always.
reviewed
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Lechuguita
A modest nightlife zone centres on Calle Los Remedios with the ever-popular tapas bar Lechuguita .
reviewed
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Cines Princesa
Screens all kinds of original-version films, from Hollywood blockbusters to arty flicks.
reviewed
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Adraba
This nightclub has history. It was one of the most famous nightclubs of la movida madrileña until it burned down (killing 81 revellers in the process) in 1983. It finally reopened to much fanfare in 2010 and has rapidly re-established itself as one of the city’s best. The designer decor is stunning, the safety provisions second to none and there’s five nights of dancing with a sophisticated crowd. Thursday night is ‘Vanité’ (which comes with the attached subtitle of ‘The Most Fashion Night’ and is devoted to glamour and lounge-bar sounds), while Friday and Saturday take you through the last three decades of dance tunes. Bookends to the rather long Adraba weekend are prov…
reviewed
