Madrid Entertainment

  1. Antigua Huevería

    That Malasaña staple of exposed brick walls and soothing colour tones comes as a surprise here after the antique tiled façade. The music is all about Van Morrison, Caetano Veloso and their ilk.

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  2. Antik Café

    Antik Café's dark interior is all about intimacy and discretion. Once inside, the decoration is chic, the clientele invariably sophisticated and speaking in hushed conversations. The drink menu includes coffee laced with something strong from the range of spirits.

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  3. Bar El 2d

    One of the enduring symbols of la movida , El 2D's fluted columns, 1970s-brown walls and 1980s music suggest that they haven't quite arrived in the 21st century yet. No-one seems to care, mind you.

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  4. Café Concierto La Fidula

    Less sophisticated than the other live jazz venues in the barrio, La Fidula is nonetheless a long-standing favourite among those who know their jazz. Drinks are reasonably priced and the Sunday jazz jam sessions ( - ) are not to be missed by those who like their jazz even more spontaneous. There are also occasional blues performers.

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  5. Café del Soul

    Cocktails for around €6 are a big selling point these days in Madrid. With chill-out music, curious décor including unusual bench-style seating and softly lit Moroccan lamps, Café del Soul is a decent choice for a quiet night out.

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  7. Cafeina

    Just before Malasaña disappears into the seedy hinterland of Gran Vía, Cafeina is a lovely down tempo bar with soft lighting, cool music and a mellow crowd. On weekends, DJs spice things up a bit upstairs.

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  8. Calle De La Cava Baja 5

    If you're eating along Calle de la Cava Baja and don't feel like straying too far to keep your night humming along, Calle de la Cava Baja 5 is excellent, with a place to dance and a zone for those who want to chill and be able to hear themselves talk. There's no sign outside, so look for the street number.

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  9. Costello Café & Nightclub

    The wave of intimate, chic clubs sweeping Madrid can promise much, but the house music is usually the same in most places. Costello Café and Nightclub is an exception with smooth-as-silk surrounds wedded to an innovative mix of pop, rock and fusion.

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  10. Del Diego

    A vaguely old-world café-style ambience pervades Del Diego, but you can hear yourself talk and the cocktails (mostly around €9 ) are among the best in the barrio.

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  11. Dos Gardenias

    When Huertas starts to overwhelm, this soothing little bar is the perfect antidote. The flamenco and other chill-out music ensures a down-tempo mood while sofas, softly lit colours and some of the best mojitos in the barrio make this the perfect place to ease yourself into or out of the night.

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  13. El Clandestino

    We've been wandering around Madrid for years and this is one bar we always find full. What they're doing right is a low-key atmosphere, funky (and occasionally live indie rock) music and good mojitos .

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  14. Jazz Bar

    Jazz aficionados will love this place for its endless jazz soundtrack and private booths (at last, a bar that has gone for privacy rather than trying to cram too many people in). And there's plenty of greenery to keep you cheerful.

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  15. Kapital

    This massive multistorey nightclub is one of Madrid's biggies and has something for everyone, from cocktail bars and dance music to karaoke, salsa and hip-hop. The usually international crowd is always up for a good time and house music is the dominant force, but the 3rd and 4th floors have more chilled R&B and Soul, while on the 5th floor you can dance your heart out to the latest tunes.

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  16. La Bardemcilla

    Run by the family of film heartthrob Javier Bardem, this bar has an agreeable buzz most nights of the week. A comfortable space to relax, a slightly bohemian air and a loyal following make a great package.

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  17. La Cartuja

    A very mixed bag of styles, the three bars of La Cartuja make it a late-night Huertas favourite. The decoration is Andalusian, the music a mix of Spanish and Latin American tunes with salsa on Wednesday nights.

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  19. La Fontanería

    With plenty of cocktails, wine and music to keep the rhythm of your night going, La Fontanería is more a drinking than dancing place but it gets the thumbs-up from Huertas regulars.

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  20. La Lupe

    There are some nights when you just want to dance on a crowded dance floor to the most popular tunes. If that's how you feel, La Lupe is all about fun and getting up-close and personal with a happy crowd.

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  21. La Musa Latina

    After closing for a couple of years to great distress, La Musa Latina is back and better than ever. It's well-known as a great place to eat, but we love it more for the downstairs bar that kicks into gear after the meals have finished. It's unpretentiously cool and the wine-cellar-like décor is wonderful.

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  22. La Palmera

    Tucked away in the narrow lanes of Conde Duque, this tiny place is covered in blue and yellow tiles and draws an artsy crowd who come to sit at the small wooden tables and nurse a drink or two. The atmosphere is very low-key.

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  23. La Taberna Chica

    Most of those who come to this narrow little bar are after one thing - the famous Santa Teresa rum served in an extra-large mug. The music is chill-out with a nod to lounge, making it an ideal pit stop if you're hoping for conversation.

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  25. La Venencia

    If you like your sherry straight from the wooden barrel, La Venencia will quickly become your favourite Madrid bar. There's no music, no flashy decorations - it's all about you, your fino (sherry) and your friends.

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  26. La Vía Láctea

    This living, breathing and somewhat grungy relic of la movida remains a Malasaña favourite for a mixed, informal crowd who seem to live for the 1980s. Expect long queues to get in on weekends; by early on Sunday morning, anything goes.

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  27. 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.

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  28. Lola Bar

    If you like your music chilled, Lola Bar is a great place to start your night. On weekends, the DJ ups the tempo a little but it's more lounge than house and you may find yourself staying longer than you planned. Our only complaint is that mojitos are a steep around €9.50 .

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  29. Malaspina

    Although they serve inviting tapas throughout the day, we like this cosy place with its wooden tables and semirustic décor as a mellow place for a quiet one as you head home for an early night. Many of the bars in this area lack character or have sold their soul to the god of tourism. This place is different.

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