Going out in Madrid
If there’s one thing that sets Madrid apart from other Spanish cities, it’s its nightlife. Like a magic carpet, it whisks you off through the city streets until you find yourself several kilometres away from where you started, watching the sunrise and thinking of where to have chocolate con churros for breakfast. Ready for the adventure of Madrid’s nightlife? Let’s go!
Madrid is packed with tapas bars, pubs, cocktail bars, discos and concert halls waiting to be discovered. But rather than focusing on specific places, here we’re going to look at the best districts for going out.
The main area for going partying in Madrid is around Huertas, Chueca, Malasaña, La Latina, Torre Europa, Argüelles and Moncloa. They each have their own distinctive style, so let’s look at them one by one.
HUERTAS.- The nerve centre of the city’s party life is very close to Puerta del Sol. The bars and discos are mostly in Calle Huertas, Calle Cruz and Plaza Santa Ana. If you don’t find anywhere to your fancy, you must be truly unique or impossible to please. Huertas is very popular with tourists and students.
CHUECA.- Aka Madrid’s Soho. This is the city’s gay neighbourhood, with lots of LGTB bars. As in other districts, take a look around until you find one you like. It’s a good area for going out for an early drink and sitting outside on the terrace.
MALASAÑA.– This central neighbourhood gave birth to the famous movida madrileña scene in the 1980s and still retains its bohemian, alternative feel. This is where you’ll find rock, punk, heavy metal, indie and electronic music. Another interesting thing about this district is that its atmosphere spills out of the bars and pervades the whole neighbourhood.
LA LATINA.- Very close to Plaza Mayor, La Latina runs from Plaza de la Paja to Plaza de la Cebada. It has lots of tapas bars, restaurants and pubs, which makes it ideal for dining out or having a drink before going partying.
TORRE EUROPA.- Close to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, this area is one of the chicest districts for going out in Madrid, although it all depends on what you like… If sophisticated, expensive bars and beautiful people are your thing, this is the place for you.
ARGÜELLES & MONCLOA.- There are lots of university halls of residence nearby, so you should get a pretty good idea of what to expect in this popular party neighbourhood with a great vibe. People here tend to be a bit younger than in other areas.
Wherever you go… have fun!
