If you’re looking for a city that never sleeps, then you need to experience Madrid and it’s nightlife. Madrid is known as one of the livest cities in the world. It won’t take you long to find a bar in Madrid as there are lots of places to grab a beer.
There are jazz bars, tapas bars, cave bars, taverns, Irish pubs, Cafeterias, tablao (the venues of many Flamenco shows), terrazas and nightclubs. In many bars they will even give you free tapas when ordering a drink.
The culture here is very different to most cities. You will find that most Spanish people don’t go out until very late at night. At the weekends, most locals finish dinner at around midnight. The nightlife is perfect for many groups such as stag dos, hen parties, couples and families.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, are the best nights to experience the nightlife in Madrid. The other days of the week are less busy but you can still have a good time with your friends.
In the early hours of morning, you may think that there won’t be many people out. However, you will be very surprised to find plenty of revellers enjoying the nightlife. Bars close at 2-3am but nightclubs stay open until 6 or 7am.
If you have managed to stay out until 6 or 7 then you might want to have churros con chocolate, a delicious Spanish breakfast dish that is served at a Chocolateria.
Nightlife Areas
There are so many nightlife areas in Madrid. Each area offers something different to the other. There are many other areas to enjoy in Madrid but the districts below are the most recommended.
Puerta Del Sol
This is the centre of Madrid and around here you will find many tourists. Puerta Del Sol is a famous square in Madrid. In and around this square you will find bars, tapas bars, shops and restaurants to enjoy and immerse yourself in the culture of the city.
Huertas
This area is a very popular place to go out. If you want to experience a good night in Madrid then this area is the place to be. This is a very busy area and is full of tourists and locals enjoying its plentiful bars, clubs and restaurants.
Gran Via
This area is very popular with tourists. You will find shops, bars, restaurants and pubs. However, this is probably not the best area for good nightlife.
La Latina
The perfect place to order a beer, with bars, pubs, terraces and restaurants in the La Latina area. This places is quite close to Plaza Mayor. One of the main attractions of this area is the Joy Eslava nightclub – the ideal place to indulge your inner party animal.
Moncloa
This is the university area. You will find loads of students and young people enjoying a great night.
Malasana
This area is less touristy than others and is a favourite for people who like rock music and European pop. The Tupperware bar is a recommended bar to visit when you are in Malasana.
Chueca
This is the gay district of Madrid. However, everyone is welcome as there are many great bars and nightclubs. Other nightlife areas are Castellana, Alonso Martinez and Salamanca.
Nightclubs and bars
There are some fantastic nightclubs in Madrid. The nightclubs here get busy at 1am and then keep going until around 6am. Madrid is known for having mega clubs.
Here are some of the best nightclubs to party when you’re in the Spanish capital. Teatro Kapital, housed in a former theatre, is one of the most spectacular clubs in the city, with 7 floors, each one different to the other. If you are ever in Madrid, Teatro Kapital is a must. Another quality club is Joy Eslava. Just like Teatro Kapital, Joy Eslava is in a former theatre. This legendary club has been open to clubbers since 1981.
Fabrik is one of the best nightclubs around. The main dancefloor here is incredibly big. The only downside is that Fabrik is not in the centre of Madrid, so you will have to get a 30 minute taxi.
There many other fantastic clubs in Madrid. Here are a few others to consider: Gabana 1880 (high end club), Ohcoymedio, Teatro Barcelo, Mondo, Vanila and Chango Club. When going to the big clubs of Madrid the dress code isn’t too strict. Just make sure you aren’t wearing trainers!
Other than nightclubs there are many great bars. There are literally hundreds of bars in Madrid, so it won’t be hard to find the perfect one. Rooftop bars are great to visit at any city and Madrid has more than its fair share.
If you want a classy rooftop bar, then go to Hotel Me’s rooftop bar, offering picturesque views and a fantastic atmosphere. Another rooftop bar to consider is at Hotel Room Mate Oscar. Here you have beautiful views, lounges and a swimming pool. To visit these places you may have to pay.
Thing To Do
If the bars and clubs have worn you out, then siestas are recommended to help you recharge your batteries. However, there are plenty of activities to keep you interested, with One of the main attractions being two magnificent football clubs; Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. If you are in the city on a matchday, pay a trip to the Bernabeu or the Calderon to experience the intense atmosphere and fantastic football on offer.
To really experience the Spanish culture you can watch the bullfighting or a Flamenco show. Other things to do during the day include: go karting, playing golf, hiring a beer bike, visiting the waterpark, taking a ride on the cable cars and paintballing.
There is loads of sightseeing to do in Madrid. The sights and sounds include Royal Palace, Retrio Park, Madrid Cathedral, Gran Via, Plaza de Cibeles and Plaza de Oriente. Madrid has many squares but the two most famous and worth a visit are Plaza Mayor and Puerta Del Sol.
Useful Information
Airport name: Madrid Barajas International Airport
Transfer time to Madrid City Centre: 20 minutes