Essential Madrid Bar Guide
This page tells you about some of the best and more unusual Madrid bars. There are many types to choose from, and we've listed a few of our favourites here. Whether you're looking for good wine, tapas, a hot drink or something more traditional. You'll also see details of the nearest metro and the address of each bar.
Bars In The Centre
There are more than enough Madrid bars in the centre to keep you busy for weeks. There are bars clustered around the street of Las Huertas that are good for going out to paint the town red. Nearby, there's the Plaza Santa Ana, that offers outdoor terraces in the summer, and bars that serve tapas. More excellent tapas and red wines can be found on the street of Cava Baja, just a couple of minutes walk from the Plaza Mayor.
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| A typical wine bar in the centre of Madrid |
Typical Opening Hours For A Madrid Bar
People in Madrid go out late. If you're going to a tapas bar, the peak time to go is between 21:00 and midnight. Most bars will still serve you tapas after midnight. In terms of going out just for drinks, the bars are open until (officially) 03:00, although they usually remain open a little longer if they are busy.
Popular Madrid Bars
Vinoteca Barbechura
Street: Plaza Santa Ana
Metro: Sol (Red Line, L2) Plus 10 minutes walk
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| Vinoteca in the Plaza Santa Ana |
I dived into this bar to avoid the rain one day, and have been going back every week since. They have a superb array of red wines, friendly and efficient waiter service, and possibly the most delicious tapas I have ever tasted.
You'll find a mixed crowd from late 20s and upwards. It's always busy, so you may have to wait for a table or stand at the bar, but you'll still get served quickly. The cheapest glass of wine starts at under €2.00, and a typical tapa (try the brocheta of salmon with apple sauce) is about €3.50. There's a terrace outside in the summer, and they open from lunchtime until around 03:00.
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| The famous and delicious Chocolateria San Gines |
Street: Pasadilla San Gines
Metro: Sol (Red Line, L2) Plus 5 minutes walk
Chocoholics must seek out this bar. It is tucked down a quaint passageway just off Calle Arenal (near Puerta del Sol). They serve famous thick hot chocolate and sticks called 'churros' or 'porras' that you are supposed to dip into the chocolate. It is an addictive and delicious combination, and only costs a couple of euros for a cup and a plate of churros.
This bar has been established for over 100 years, and is very popular around 18:00 - 19:00 and again in the early hours of the morning with the 'after club' crowds. You have to pay at the till first and then take your ticket to the main counter.
Museo de Jamon
Street: Calle Mayor
Metro: Sol (Red Line, L2) Plus 2 minutes walk
Spain is well known for its jamon Serrano (ham). This comes in the form an enormous leg, that has been left to cure in salt and hung from the ceiling. The best cuts can be expensive, but the Spanish swear they couldn't live without their ham!
The Museo de Jamon is actually a bar that specialises in Serrano ham. There is every type imaginable, and they also serves drinks. It's a great place to experience traditional Spanish food. They're open all day, and evenings, as they also serve meals from their menu.
You can also find them at Gran Via, 72; Alcalá, 155; and Atocha, 54.
Diaz Larrouy
Street: Cava Baja, 8
Metro: La Latina (Green Line, L5) Plus 5 minutes walk
This bar is delightfully inviting. It is small, but serves an excellent selection of tapas and 'tostas' (small pieces of toast with various toppings). They have a fabulous choice of red wines, and there's a pleasant ambiance, and reasonable prices.
This bar is at the start of the Cava Baja street, which is packed with equally seductive bars. It makes a good starting point. Cava Baja street is most popular on weekends, both during the day and all night until around 03:00.
Corazon Loco
Street: Calle Almendro
Metro: La Latina (Green Line, L5) Plus 5 minutes walk
If you make all the way down Cava Baja street and turn right, you'll find this Madrid bar. It's open evenings onwards, and during the day at weekends, and it's always lively, and is mainly standing room only. The staff are friendly - and have been known to give away the odd drink ;)
As is typical with the area around La Latina metro, there is an excellent choice of red wines, and the cheapest are just 1.50 glass of white wine, €2.00 a glass of red wine. I love the typical Spanish glasses that the wine comes in - they are shaped like buckets!
Madrid Bar Summary
There are a huge variety of Madrid bars to choose from. It is quite normal to eat tapas along with your drinks during your night out, and many bars offer tasty snacks to accompany your drink (sometimes free, sometimes not).
Click here to see a list of more Madrid bars
Click here to see our reviews of Irish bars in Madrid
