Malasaña & Conde Duque
Chocolate, coffee and cocktails may seem like a strange, questionable or just plain indulgent combination, but this place throws them all in together in…
Must-see nightlife in Madrid
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,…
Malasaña & Conde Duque
Quietly sophisticated coffee shop by day, hipster rock bar by night, the Passenger has the appearance of a train in motion (cabin interior, screens with…
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…
Malasaña & Conde Duque
Like all good cocktail bars, Corazón has the right mix of quantity (more than 100 cocktails), mystery (they love their secret ingredients) and a select…
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…
Malasaña & Conde Duque
The 1950s-retro Polynesian-Hawaiian decor sets the tone and coconuts are front and centre. Daiquiris are made with real, fresh strawberries and pineapple…
Malasaña & Conde Duque
Spain has taken its time getting behind the worldwide trend of boutique and artisan beers, but it's finally starting to happen. The finest example of this…
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…
Malasaña & Conde Duque
This American-style cocktail bar just off Gran Vía is an institution. It plays indie music and does fabulous cocktails (from €9) – try the 'Lazy Bitch' …
Malasaña & Conde Duque
One of the enduring symbols of la movida madrileña, El 2D’s fluted columns, 1970s-brown walls and 1980s music suggest that it hasn’t quite arrived in the…
Malasaña & Conde Duque
This fine old cocktail bar recreates a 1920s-era ambience with plenty of wood panelling. The gin and tonics are excellent and the mojito-with-a-free-tapa…
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…
Malasaña & Conde Duque
One of the most popular and eclectic nightclubs in Madrid, Siroco does everything from reggae to drum ‘n’ bass, funk, soul and danceable disco tunes. The…
Malasaña & Conde Duque
From the people who brought you La Musa, Ojalá is every bit as funky and has a lot more space to enjoy. Yes, you eat well here, but we love it first and…
Malasaña & Conde Duque
Owned by the zany Alaska, the standout musical personality of la movida madrileña (the Madrid scene), Morocco has decor that’s so kitsch it’s cool, and a…
Malasaña & Conde Duque
Malasaña’s old cafes don’t come any better than this one, with beguiling old-world decor, a vaguely intellectual air and some of the best cakes and…
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,…
Malasaña & Conde Duque
Pepe Botella has hit on a fine formula for success. As good in the hours around midnight as it is in the afternoon when its wi-fi access draws the laptop…
Malasaña & Conde Duque
The quieter little brother to the more-famous Tupperware, Picnic is another diehard bar that gives the barrio its indie soul. The look is retro, as you’d…
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…
Malasaña & Conde Duque
One of the old Malasaña cafes that so distinguish the northern end of the barrio, Café de Ruiz has all-wooden furniture and columns, draws a mature crowd…
Malasaña & Conde Duque
Going strong since 1985 and the height of la movida madrileña (the Madrid scene), Ya’sta is a stalwart of the Malasaña night. Everything gets a run here,…
Malasaña & Conde Duque
A longstanding icon of the Madrid night, and once known as Pachá, this megaclub in the Ibiza style gets all sweaty dancing to house and related genres…
Madrid
In the lobby of Hotel Urban, Glass Bar is a high-class cocktail bar with impeccable service and top-shelf spirits.