Chueca
A few steps up the hill from Plaza de Chueca, this longtime centrepiece of gay Madrid – a huge statue of a nude male angel guards the doorway – is an…
Must-see nightlife in Madrid
Madrid
High above the Plaza de Santa Ana, this sybaritic open-air cocktail bar has terrific views over Madrid’s rooftops. It’s a place for sophisticates, with…
La Latina & Lavapiés
The undoubted highlight of this landmark of La Latina nights is the rooftop terraza, which boasts fine views. When the weather’s warm, it’s nigh on…
Madrid
There can be a certain sameness about the bars between Sol and Huertas, which is why this fine old taberna stands out. The striking facade and exquisite…
Madrid
Jazz aficionados will love this place for its endless jazz soundtrack and discreet leather booths (at last, a bar that has gone for privacy instead of…
Madrid
Overlooking one of the most famous football fields on earth, this trendy cocktail bar will appeal to those who live and breathe football or those who…
La Latina & Lavapiés
This barrio classic is Lavapiés’ grandest old cafe, the sort of place for quiet conversation amid the columns and marble-topped tables right on Plaza de…
Madrid
Opposite the Teatro Real, this classic before-performance cafe has opera singers who double as waiters. They break into song from around 1.45pm and 9.30pm…
La Latina & Lavapiés
Café del Nuncio straggles down a laneway to Calle de Segovia. You can drink on one of several cosy levels inside or, better still in summer, enjoy the…
Salamanca
With its elaborate stained-glass windows, ethno-chic from all over the world and laid-back atmosphere, the Geographic Club is an excellent choice in…
Chueca
A gay meeting place, this cafe-bar has a laid-back ambience by day and a romantic (never sleazy) air by night. You can get breakfast, yummy pastries and…
Chueca
Del Diego is one of the city’s most celebrated cocktail bars. The decor blends old-world cafe with New York style, and it’s the sort of place where the…
La Latina & Lavapiés
If much of Madrid’s nightlife starts too late for your liking, Bonanno could be for you. It made its name as a cocktail bar, but many people also come…
Madrid
A cafe and cocktail bar in equal parts, this intimate little place serves up creative coffees and a few cocktails (the mojitos are excellent) to the…
Madrid
Its name notwithstanding, the ‘Imperfect One’ is our ideal Huertas bar, with occasional live jazz and a drinks menu as long as a saxophone, ranging from…
La Latina & Lavapiés
Most of those who come to this narrow little bar are after one of two things: the famous Santa Teresa rum that comes served in an extra-large mug, or some…
Salamanca
With its upmarket crowd that invariably includes a few famosos (famous people), Gabana 1800 is very Salamanca. That this place has lasted the distance…
Chueca
Just back from Gran Vía, Angelita has one of the best wine lists of any bar in Madrid, with more than 20 choices by the glass and nearly 500 different…
Madrid
A strong contender for best rooftop bar in Madrid, this indulgent terrace sits atop the five-star Urban Hotel and has five-star views with five-star…
Madrid
Inhabiting an old dairy and tucked away in a little-visited corner of Chamberí like some hidden Madrid treasure, La Vaquería Montañesa does terrific food,…
Chueca
Modelled on the famous New York club Studio 54, this nightclub draws a predominantly gay crowd, but its target market is more upmarket than many in the…
Café del Círculo de Bellas Artes
Madrid
This wonderful belle-époque cafe was designed by Antonio Palacios in 1919 and boasts chandeliers and the charm of a bygone era, even if the waiters are…
Madrid
The tiled facade of Viva Madrid is one of Madrid’s most recognisable and it’s an essential landmark on the Huertas nightlife scene. It's packed to the…
Chueca
One of Madrid's stunning rooftop terraces, this chilled space atop Hotel Óscar, with gorgeous skyline views and a small swimming pool, has become…
Madrid
This neighbourhood spot with its big marble bar top evokes the classic cocktail bars of Madrid's past, but it's a casual place with few pretensions. There…
Chueca
As you'd expect, it's all about gin here, with more than 40 different types available including gin with coffee (El Gin Coffee). There's a bar to sit at…
Madrid
Beloved by literary types in centuries past, this grand old cafe looks out over the Plaza de Canalejas with its grand facades, and serves as a gateway to…
Madrid
While bright lights, standing-space only and no-frills tapas would seem like an unlikely combination for winning over clientele, Cervecería El Doble has…
Chueca
The name may not be Madrid’s most evocative but this terrific old taberna is friendly, invariably packed and wins the vote of at least one Lonely Planet…
Madrid
When Huertas starts to overwhelm, this tranquil little bar is the perfect antidote. The flamenco and chill-out music ensure a relaxed vibe, while sofas,…
Madrid
This cosy bar, with its wooden tables and semi-rustic decor, is a mellow place for a quiet drink before heading home for an early night. It has tapas, too…
Madrid
In the lobby of Hotel Urban, Glass Bar is a high-class cocktail bar with impeccable service and top-shelf spirits.