After having lived (and sometimes studied) there, I’d like to be able to say that I know Madrid pretty well now. I’ve frequented a fair few bars and I thought I’d just tell you about a couple of my favourites.
El Taberna Riki (map)
El Taberna Riki or simply Riki’s is probably my favourite bar in Madrid. Hidden behind Sol, not far from Plaza Mayor, blink and you’ll miss it. This tiny bar is colourfully decorated and has a relaxed, if somewhat smoky atmosphere. The cañas are some of the cheapest I’ve found and come with free tapas (a rarity in Madrid)…
La Paca (map)
If however you’re looking for trendy, I recommend you check out La Paca. As a polar opposite to Riki’s, La Paca’s high ceilings and white walls create a light, airy atmosphere. While it’s tasteful, eclectic mish-mash of furniture gives the place a quirky feel and seems to welcome you in. Again, cañas are on the cheap side, which is helpful because you’ll be more than happy to spend the evening there.
La Boca del Lobo (map) (website)
Another of my favourite character oozing joints in Madrid, though this time it’s a bar/ club/ venue. In the same way that lightning never strikes twice, so too, no two nights at La Boca are quite the same. I’ve seen it just as a bar, as a venue for live jazz and as host to an international short-film festival. Forever changing, La Boca is always an interesting place to go with some sort of special event on. Be prepared for averagely priced drinks though and sometimes there’s an entrance fee (this is nearly always worth it though).
Going got a semi-60s retro look, this café is another nice place to sit back and relax with a few friends. It is, again, awash with character, which fits nicely with tasty food. Sadly though, it’s in Malasaña, which is only sad for me, as it’s the one area of Madrid that I never quite got to grips with. Forever getting lost, I can guarantee that I don’t know the quickest way there.
Joy
Joy’s inclusion on this list is actually not a recommendation, more a warning and a chance for me to vent my feelings on one of Madrid’s best known clubs.
The very best way for my to sum up Joy would be to ask, “Do you like bland commercial music? Do you like to hear the same music EVERY week? Do you like to spend €10 on a rum & coke? Then you’ll LOVE Joy!” When I first arrived, they were playing I Gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas and they were playing it when I last visited in Decemeber. And that says it all – rubbish music, played again and again. This is a shame though, as it’s set in a converted theatre which makes for an impressive venue – a large dance floor, ornate balconies and a décor that adds a touch of class to even the dirtiest of Erasmus parties. The one thing I will give it, is that in a large enough group, you’ll have a good time, but not more than twice. For something better in Madrid, head towards Plaza de España and try Club Low.
Other
There are of course, plenty more bars, cafés and clubs to check out in Madrid. This list is by no means comprehensive and many of my fellow Erasmus are probably asking how on earth I could leave out such-and-such’s or thingy-me-bob’s but these are just my favourites (and Joy).
I would like to recommend a couple more places though. However, I only went to these once and the details are sketchy and I can’t remember their names (I should have written this while in Madrid)
On Calle del Principe, only slightly down from Plaza de Canalajas, there’s a cellar bar on the side of the street furthest from Sol (it might be called Sesamo – map). It wasn’t especially cheap but inside is brilliant and it has a pianist who plays nearly all the time. Being underground, it’s not easy to spot though.
Also in Malasaña is a little pottery place where you can choose from a huge range of mugs, plates, cups, coasters, jugs, boxes (just about anything that can be made out of pottery) and then paint it yourself. Returning a few days later, you can pick up your masterpiece. And while you paint, you can help yourself to tea (herbal or PG Tips).
La Casa de Granada (map) is just off from Tirso de Molino and again, you won’t spot it at street level. This time though, you look up. Up to the sixth floor and from there out across the roof-tops of Madrid. I enjoyed a caña, tapas and a sunset with a friend one evening and would love to do it again.
As I said before, this list isn’t complete and if there’s a place that I’ve forgotten then add it as a comment! And if you fancy finding your own little treasure, I suggest you explore Malasaña and Chueca.
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