Madrid nightlife

Any authentic 24-hour-party-people will tell you that it’s quite hard to find and equivalent for the Madrid nightlife. It’s a common thing for Madrid clubs and pubs to stay open till the sun rises, for Madrid boulevards to be as crowded as Wall Street in the middle of the night and for tourists to come here for a week and never manage to see Madrid in daylight. Not to mention that Madrid is one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world. So, take a peak of this guide and then check out some cheap flights to Madrid or some travel deals from Boston to Madrid and 'vamos a bailar'!

Madrid Nightlife – Restaurants

Before starting the fiesta, it’s good to take care of your stomach – wines will taste better after some traditional cheese or the famous paella. Some of the best restaurants can be found around Madrid’s old district (Old Madrid): El Sobrino de Botin, Café de Oriente, Chanterella, Café Balear. A special type of restaurant is represented by tapas (the word ‘tapas’ actually refers to different types of snacks, which accompany drinks and used to be served for free in some restaurants): El Txoko, La Escondida, La Castela, Cerveceria Alemania. If you like traditional music, Madrid has a wide range of flamenco restaurants: Corral de la Moreria, Casa Patas, Las Carboneras, Café de Chinitas.

Madrid Nightlife – Bars and Clubs

Madrid nightlife usually revolves around several central streets and districts, such as Bilbao, Malasana, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor or Tribunal. The Chueca district is mostly known for its LGBT friendly bars and nightclubs: Odarko, Black&White, Leather Club, The Moon, Escape, or Cruising.

Madrid’s alternative music scene is known all over Europe, you if you like attending a gig or just listening to some smooth jazz, now is the time. Some of the best known music and concert bars are: Siroco, La Fontana de Oro, La Riviera, La Coquette, Oba-Oba, Commercial Cubano and the list can continue... As for Madrid’s dance clubs (or ‘discotecas’), there are high chances you will find yourself dancing till you run out of breath; Pacha, Café Rock Corto Maltes, Kapital, Fabrik, Palacio de Gaviria, or Joy Eslava are good places to start/or end your night.

And one more thing about the capital of Spain: madrilenos never miss an occasion to party, therefore there’s always something happening on the streets of Madrid, from the New Year fireworks, to the San Juan Festival or the Autumn Fair. Another local habit, still popular with young people, is to gather around in a square or park and share some alcoholic beverages – this practice is called the ‘botellon’.