Alex is the author of the travel books A Long Weekend in Ulaanbaatar and Running the Milk. Between writing, he currently splits his time between the UK & U.S. expanding his knowledge of city escapes, small town USA and regional differences whilst researching his next books.
Growing from an insignificant walled fortress in the late 9th century, when much of the Iberian Peninsula was under Umayyad Arab rule, Spain’s cosmopolitan capital is now the European Union’s second largest city. Superseded only by Berlin, this cultural and financial hub is home to over six-million people.
Home to Europe’s largest palace, one of its finest art galleries, Prado, architectural grandeur and a stadium that’s on every soccer fan’s bucket list, no matter how long you spend in Madrid, your eyes will rarely be given a rest. But if you really want to get underneath this soulful city’s fabric, you’ll need to wait until the sun goes down.
Grand by name and by nature, Gran Via’s Hapsburg era architecture is a draw in itself (Credit: Florian Wehde)
Madrid’s nightlife is as diverse as its people. The key to uncovering it; plan on staying late. When most cities are simmering down for the night, Madrid is just getting started. And when it does, it means business. Nightclubs to rival Ibiza’sshare streets with glitzy cocktail barsParis would be jealous of and craft breweries that give Tijuana and Portland a run for their money.
Whatever your idea of a night to remember, the only obstacle is deciding where to go. With around 6,000 bars to choose from, even the hardiest partygoer might find it a push to get round them all. That’s why we’ve brought together the best bars in Madrid to give you more time sipping, and less time searching.
Spain produces 28-million hectoliters of wine every year. That’s some four-million more than the United States and three times that of Australia. An impressive feat when you consider their sizes. It’s no surprise, then, that our list of the best bars in Madrid starts with some of its finest wine bars.
Spain hosts around 13% of the world’s vineyards (Credit: Alberto Restifo)
Travel tip: Tapas and wine go hand in hand. Join a tapas and wine walking tour to see how Madrid locals do nightlife. You’ll tick off three of the best bars in Madrid, watch the sun set over Gran Via from the rooftops, all whilst seeing some of the city’s top sights.
Casa Botella
Tucked away down a quiet residential street in Malasana, the first of our best bars in Madrid is a true local’s haunt. Open from 6 pm until late (closed Mondays), Casa Botella is the ideal spot to start your night.
Rioja may be most famous for its reds, but Rioja Blanco is becoming more popular by the day (Credit: Engin Akyurt)
Whilst Spain is undeniably best know for its red wine, Casa Botella has an impressive list of local whites. Better still, all their wines are natural. This means they’ve been produced with minimal intervention. In other words, the grapes are grown without pesticides and few, or no, additives are added.
In addition to their comprehensive wine list, Casa Botella have a small, but surprisingly diverse food menu. Expect classic Spanish tapas with additions from as far afield as Lebanon and South Korea, all served by candlelight. In short, this might be the best bet for a quintessential Madrid night out.
Root Concept
Another natural wine champion, Root Concept is more wine shop than wine bar, but that’s no reason to skip it when you’re seeking out the best bars in Madrid. Away from the main tourist trail, but conveniently located steps from Bilbao Metro, expect to leave with a bottle or two to take home.
Orange wine is Root Concept’s speciality (Source: Root Concept)
Root Concept’s real draw is their tastings. Generally held on Thursday and Friday evenings, make sure you check the calendar and book your spot before you go. If they’re hosting an orange wine evening whilst you’re in Madrid, you really won’t want to miss it.
Vinology
Created, in their own words, “by wine lovers, for wine lovers”, Vinology is a cross between a classic Spanish wine bar and a modern gastropub. They have two locations in Madrid. The original Vinology, on Conde de Aranda, is the one to aim for when you’re looking for the best bars in Madrid. If you’re seeking out a fine dining experience with exquisite wine pairings, their newer location on Zurbano is the place to go.
With just 34 seats, and a few more on the street to soak up that all important Spanish sun, Vinology’s Conde de Aranda bar is open from 1 pm until 1 am every day expect Sunday. Expect hundreds of wines from Spain and around the world, all handpicked by sommelier Pilar Oltra. If you can’t decide on your tipple, go for one of their wine flights.
La Alquimia
Few wine bars make ideal destinations for both wine connoisseurs and novices, and that’s what earns La Alquimia its place as one of the best bars in Madrid. What sets La Alquimia apart from the crowd is the service.
La Alquimia is a popular haunt. Arrive early if you want a table (Source: Time Out)
The staff are true wine experts. There’s no need to trawl through a long wine list. Just tell the server your taste preferences and they’ll pick the perfect bottle. Even if you’re already set on your favorites, don’t miss the chance to let them expand your palette even further. Alongside great wines, they also serve a simple but delicious food menu of nibbles and handhelds.
The Best Cocktail Bars in Madrid
Salmon Guru
Ask anyone to tell you their pick of the best bars in Madrid, you can almost guarantee that they’ll mention Salmon Guru. Ranked 16th of the World’s 50 Best Bars, this stalwart of the Madrid cocktail scene is so popular, they’ve opened branches in Dubai and Milan.
Try their signature Old School Funny- negroni with port and sherry (Source: Salmon Guru)
Expect a queue to get in, especially at weekends, but it’s worth the wait. Once you’re in, you won’t want to leave. The décor, ranging from manga covered walls to bar decked out to give the impression you’re in an aquarium, explains Salmon Guru’s philosophy better than any words can. In the words of the owner, “only dead fish go with the flow”.
Travel tip: If you want to ensure you tick off this unique cocktail bar, consider stopping by in the late afternoon for a pre-dinner drink. With doors opening at 4 pm, you can usually get a table pretty quickly.
Jack’s Library
If Salmon Guru was a bit of a sensory overload, the next of our best bars in Madrid is the perfect antidote. Jack’s Library has all the warmth of a grandparent’s sitting room. An old school speakeasy, half the fun is finding the bar in the first place.
No reservations are needed for Jack’s. You just need to know how to get in (Source: New York Times)
Head for Casa de Santo Tome and keep your eyes peeled for Bonsai Florist. A well hidden sign marks the entrance to Jack’s. Even once you’ve found it, there’s one more hurdle to jump yet. You’ll need to say the secret words. I’d tell you, but it’s a secret.
Bunker
The great thing about working your way around the best bars in Madrid is that every one you come to has its own quirks. Bunker takes that to the extreme. Dubbed as “bulletproof and well behind trenches”, Bunker celebrates everything military. The Spanish Civil War may have drawn to an end 86 years ago, but guerrilla warfare is alive and well a few steps from Alonso Martinez metro.
Forget smartly dressed mixologists, the cocktails at Bunkers are crafted by “soldiers” (Source: Bunker)
Like the staff and the interior, Bunker’s cocktails are military-themed too. Sip on a First Aid Kit, count your Combat Rations and prime a Grenade. If you’re feeling brave, get yourself a Nuclear Bomb. This wild concoction consists of Bacardi, spiced rum, pepper liqueur, absinthe, bitters, mango and peach. Sink a few and you’re guaranteed to be exploding (or colapsing).
Malo Malasana
A couple of blocks south of Plaza del Dos de Mayo, you’ll find one of the best bars in Madrid tucked behind huge industrial black workshop doors between two parking garages.
Plaza del Dos de Mayo remembers an uprising which took place on 2nd May 1808 (Source: Expedia)
Rock-themedMalo Malasana has no airs and graces. Graffiti-strewn walls, loud music and a clientele who come again and again make Malo Malasana stand out from the crowd.
Uniquely Madrid: Bars You Won’t Find Elsewhere
Cervecaria Alemana
From Key West to Istanbul, there are few places without some connection to Ernest Hemingway. Madrid is no exception. One of the most influential American authors of the 20th century, Nobel laureate Hemingway was a regular visitor to the city.
Cerveceria Alemana opened its doors in 1904 (Source: Wikipedia)
The first of two of the best bars in Madrid he frequented, Cerveceria Alemena has been in the same spot for over 120 years. Founded by a group of German brewers, this old school brew pub is all about the beer. They have over 30 to choose from, and an extensive tapas menu to accompany them.
La Venencia
The second regular haunt of Hemingway to make our pick of the best bars in Madrid, La Venencia has barely changed since it opened in the 1930s. It’s dark, almost disconcertingly so, the bottles behind the bar appear to have been in situ since the beginning of time if the dust is anything to go by, but above all, it’s genuine.
A drink at La Venencia is like a trip back in time (Source: El Pais)
In a world dominated by pretentiously high-end cocktail bars, La Venencia is a breathe of fresh air. Grab a sherry straight from the cask, order some tapas, and pass the time chatting. There’s no loud music, no TVs blaring sports in the corner, just good food, good drinks and good company.
For a uniquely Madrid night out, do not miss La Venencia.
Toni 2 Piano Bar
At first glance, Toni 2 looks just as old as La Venencia and Cerveceria Alemana. In reality, it’s comparatively youthful. Opened in 1979, this old-timey piano bar is just off Paseo de Recoletos is a must for any music lover.
The treble clef on the wall sets the tone (Source: Toni 2)
Whenever they’re open, a pianist is working their magic on the Grand Piano. Sure, there are plenty of piano bars around, but an evening at Toni 2 is an experience you won’t forget in a hurry. Audience participation is encouraged to the extent it’s practically mandatory. Order at the long, curved bar, then sing until you can sing no more. It is worth noting that a cover charge applies. This does, however, go towards the cost of your first drink.
El Jardin de Salvador Bachiller
Whether El Jardin de Salvador Bachiller can truly be classed as one of the best bars in Madrid is questionable. That’s not to say it doesn’t deserve to be; the question is purely whether it can be classed as a bar or not.
El Jardin is Madrid’s own secret garden (Source: Madrid Secreto)
This designer accessories store-bar-restaurant-botanical garden hybrid has to be on your Madrid bucket list. Open daily for brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks, you’ll find El Jardin on the rooftop of the Salvador Bachiller store.
If you stop by for brunch, shakshuka and smoked salmon are the highlights. Don’t pass on an Instagram-worthy cappuccino either. Come evening, the cocktails are the stars of the show.
