Madrid’s electrifying nightlife rivals that of any European capital. This may not come as a surprise. As the people who invented the siesta, the Spanish stay up later than their European counterparts, rarely eating dinner before 9 pm and usually going to bed well after midnight. Their capital city reflects this, and whether you're into trendy co*cktail bars, historic taverns, or sprawling nightclubs, Madrid really does offer something for everyone.
How is the Nightlife in Madrid?
Madrid's nightlife plays out across more than 18,000 bars, restaurants, and clubs throughout several neighbourhoods, each of which is characterised by a distinct nocturnal atmosphere. Nights out tend to start after dinner, around 10 or 10:30 pm, when locals fill up the locales in pursuit of cañas (small beers), dobles (large beers) or vino (wine).
It’s only after midnight that Madrid’s clubs start to fill up, so you should be in no rush to get there early. In fact the later you start the better, since most clubs don’t close until around 6 am.
As far as European capitals go, Madrid may not be as affordable as the likes of Budapest. But it is far more reasonable than London and roughly on a par with Rome and Barcelona. If you want to experience Madrid’s nightlife for yourself as part of a fun group of international travellers, check out our Tipsy Tapas Tour of Madrid!
Best Areas for Nightlife in Madrid
For those who want to stay close to the action, Malasaña and Chueca are home to the best nightlife in Madrid.
Centrally situated Malasaña is perfect for those who enjoy a bohemian atmosphere with indie music venues and quirky bars like El TupperWare, La Vía Láctea, and El Penta.
The area mainly tends to attract thirty-somethings, with cool rock and alternative venues from the glory days of the early 2000s. But those looking for electronic and pop will find plenty that’s up their street, with places like POMPÄ pumping out tunes until the early hours.
Chueca only burst onto Madrid’s nightlife scene a little more recently, when the city’s LGTBIQA+ community breathed new life into its streets, clubs and bars. Here you’ll find an eclectic mix of trendy clubs and LGBTQ+-friendly bars, including the world-famous Museo Chicote co*cktail bar, which has won best bar in Europe several times in its history.
La Latina is another major district for Madrid’s nightlife because of the sheer number of places to eat, drink and party. Its most famous street is the Calle de la Cava Baja, just a short walk from Plaza Mayor, where 53 locales (bars/restaurants/clubs) are packed into just 300 metres.
Best Bars in Madrid
Madrid boasts a thriving bar scene catering to all tastes. Here are some standout bars worth visiting. So ¿dónde están los mejores bares y clubs en Madrid? Read on to find out.
Hemingway co*cktail Bar
Calle del Marques de Casa Riera 4
Hemingway co*cktail Bar is by far the coolest speakeasy in Madrid, not least because so few people know about it. Accessible through the bathrooms of Casa Suecia restaurant (if in doubt, ask at the bar), the venue is a throwback to the prohibition era of the 1920s, with red velvet seats, walls with aged mirrors, and hallmark animal print floors.
Drinks cost a little above average for Madrid, falling between €13 - €15 each. But for the quality of what you’re getting, this play is well worth visiting.
El Tigre
Calle De Las Infantas 23
Famous for its free homemade tapas with every drink, El Tigre is a must-visit in the trendy Chueca district. For years, this place has been a favourite among madrileños, but recently word has got out among inquisitive travellers too. El Tigre has two locales, one on Calle Hortaleza and the other on Calle Infantas. To avoid disappointment, try booking a table in advance
Museo Chicote
C/ Gran Vía 12
Founded in 1931, Museo Chicote was Spain’s first American-style co*cktail bar and a favourite haunt of Ernest Hemingway, Grace Kelly, and Frank Sinatra. Its barman and owner Mr Perico Chicote commissioned its original Art Deco design to a famous architect Luis Gutierrez Soto that still can be seen today.
Vogue, Elle, and the Huffington Post love Museo Chicote, and we’re sure you will too. Grab a full brunch here at the weekend (from 1 pm to 4 pm) or head down in the evening when the place is in full swing.
Café Central
Plaza del Ángel 10
For more than 40 years, this legendary jazz club in Huertas has been hosting nightly live performances in a cool intimate setting. Part restaurant and part bar/music venue, Café Central is the perfect place to grab lunch or dinner, with tapas, tablas, pinchos, and tartas served from 10 am until 11 pm.
Costing just €22, its jazz dinner menu (cena jazz) is especially popular among madrileños and travellers alike, and is the perfect way to start a night out on the town. Reserve your table here to guarantee a good spot next to the stage. 😉
1862 Dry Bar
Calle del Pez 27
Located in Malasaña, this speakeasy-style bar is renowned for its commitment to exceptional craft co*cktails. Indeed it’s no accident that 1862 coincides with a significant historical milestone: the publication year of Jerry Thomas’s pioneering co*cktail publication: How to Mix Drinks or The Bon-Vivant's Companion.
Its owner, Alberto Martínez, prioritizes co*cktails that showcase the bar's extensive spirit collection in creations like the ‘Cantaloupe Gibson’, featuring pisco, cantaloupe, manzanilla sherry, grapefruit bitters, and rose water. Testament to his mastery of mixology is the fact that this bar features among the 50 best bars in the world (though the speakeasy ambience with minimalist decor and an inviting downstairs lounge area also plays its part).
La Vía Láctea
Callede Velarde, 1828004
If cheap drinks and banging music sound right up your street, La Vía Láctea is the bar for you. Situated on the site of a former coal yard, and practically unchanged since the 1980s, this dive bar is bursting with character. Dance, drink, and have a chat across its two floors while DJs and live acts serenade you with an eclectic mix of alt-rock, indie and retro bangers.
Best Clubs in Madrid
Madrid's club scene has something for everyone,
Teatro Kapital
Calle de Atocha 25
Situated in the heart of the city centre, this seven-story nightclub is at the beating heart of Madrid’s early-hours activity. Each floor features its own genre and atmosphere, from commercial hits on the ground floor to the latest in house and electronic music on the upper levels. Such diversity makes this the best nightclub to visit as a group.
Teatro Kapital is open most nights of the week (closed Monday and Tuesday) and keeps going until 5:30 / 6:00 am. Just remember — as with all Madrid nightlife, the later you arrive the better.
Sala La Riviera
P.º Bajo de la Virgen del Puerto, S/N, Arganzuela
Situated along the banks of the Manzanares River — hence La Riviera 😉 — in the Arganzuela district, Sala La Riviera is one of Madrid’s most spacious venues and hosts plenty of events, from concerts by international DJs to themed parties and live music performances. La Riviera is renowned for its lively atmosphere and diverse music offerings, catering to fans of electronic dance music, techno, and indie-pop alike. Check out its programme to see what’s coming up.
LL Bar
Calle de Pelayo 11
LL Bar is the epitome of full-throttled fun, with nightly Drag Races from 10:30 pm. The venue has cemented its spot among the pantheon of Madrid’s LGTBIQA+ nightlife, and whatever you look for in your nightlife, here you’re bound to have a blast.
Sala Barco
Calle de Barco 34
Located in the trendy Malasaña district, Sala Barco offers a more intimate clubbing experience with a diverse music lineup. This multi-purpose space hosts DJ sets, live music gigs, art exhibitions, and cultural performances. Its indie, electronic, and experimental music nights draw a diverse crowd, and you’ll find plenty of emerging artists trying to establish themselves in Madrid’s burgeoning music scene. You can find the monthly programme here.
What to Wear to Clubs in Madrid
The majority of Madrid’s nightlife is chic yet relaxed.
Men can opt for smart casual attire, such as tailored trousers with a stylish shirt, polo, or t-shirt. Women typically dress in stylish dresses or trendy separates.
Avoid attire that’s too casual like shorts or flip-flops since you’ll stick out like a sore thumb from the fashionable local crowd and you may compromise your chances of getting into certain clubs.
Explore Madrid’s Nightlife with the Tipsy Tour
Madrid's nightlife offers the perfect blend of traditional Spanish culture and modern partying. Whether you're bar-hopping in Malasaña, dancing the night away in Chueca, or throwing caution to the wind and exploring the city on a whim, Madrid’s nightlife is bound to leave an impression.
If you’re looking for fun, immersive, and sociable things to do in Madrid, make sure to check out our Madrid Tipsy Tapas Tour. Over the course of 2.5 hours, you and a group of around 20 others will taste the best tapas the city has to offer while indulging in authentic drinks.
Make sure to book your spot quickly as spaces fill up fast.
