Spain

Madrid

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This place ideally suits the real cocktail lovers. There is a vast variety of cocktails in this elegant New York style bar, and by the way there is one of the best cocktail lists in Madrid: gin-tonic, mojito, pina colada, daiquiri… But in fact, the most popular is their special cocktail Soltero Tranquilo (“Tranquil single”), created in the name of the bachelor, the regular at this bar. Del Diego is considered to be one of the most prestigious bars in Madrid. The drinks are served with small snacks, crockets or Iberian jamon. Nice, calm atmosphere is perfectly complemented with music background (jazz, funk, acid), that makes one feel like for peaceful evening talks. The service here is on high level: tuxedoed waiters and barmen are very attentive and courteous. All these make Del Diego one of the most popular cocktail bars of Madrid. Definitely try “Cosmopolitan”!

Del Diego

From my point of view the best pizza in the city is here. Pizza, cut in squares for weight, can be ordered for take away or eaten here in the restaurant. The restaurant in industrial style is quite spacious and very popular in the area. For sweet tooth I would highly recommend delicious Nutella pizza.

Al Cuadrado

Classic café in Lavapiés area. It would hardly attract your attention from outside, its interior is really nothing special, but this is what charms you about this place. Cheap, noisy and nice! For many years an old family couple is managing this café. They are the waiters, the cooks, and the barmen. It is amazing! Despite dozens of shouting people ordering food and drinks from different sides of the bar, they perfectly remember who ordered what and when, even not writing all that down. They will never forget to bring the order and to take the money for it. The size of the portions is more than large and their special dish Zapatilla (what in English means “shoe”)… No, I’d rather say no more. Try it yourselves!

Melos

At first sight this bar doesn’t seem to differ from any other one. Its interior and menu are not as original as something that is hidden on the first floor. A real mini theatre is located in the basement of the bar. There are five small premises for 10-15 people, where 15-minutes long basically humor shows are held. The price for a ticket for a show is €4. The concept of the bar is to make performance art closer to people (it can’t be more close – the audience sits in only one meter from the actors). Lack of time and money are no longer valid reasons not to go to the theatre. And just in case theatre attracts you less than drinks, it is worth mentioning that cocktails here are also good.

Microteatro por Dinero

It is a small café and a book shop that is situated in a tranquil place in Malasana area. The café can be called small one only from the first sight, as there are two floors actually. It is an amazingly cozy place with magazines and movies on the second floor and labyrinth-like “dungeon” full of books. The feature of the book shop is that all the books that are sold here are used ones and in English. Well, almost all: there is a bookcase with literature in Spanish, but the majority of books are in English and the prices are really good.

J&J Books and Coffee

This cult cocktail bar has years and years of history. Founded in 1931 it managed to keep the spirit of that time and still be up-to-date. For example, it has a special cabin where DJ plays good music, and the lighting that has various colors depending upon the time of the day. In other respects the bar hasn’t changed since its foundation. The same sofas, on which Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra used to sit, and wrought iron chairs of 1950-s on which Sofi Lauren and Rita Hayworth drank their cocktails. The list of outstanding writers, musicians, actors, politicians who used to visit this bar is endless. The cocktails of barman Chicote, whose name is given to the place, were really famous. The bar is still being popular. The atmosphere of luxury and coziness, diverse audience, and, of course, the very interesting history of this place, attract more and more visitors to Museo Chicote.

Museo Chicote

This place is managed by Silvia Superstar, ex lead singer of the used to be famous Spanish band Los Killer Barbies. The place is a mixture of kitsch baroque, pin-up and typical for 1950-1960s details. The bar is furnished with vintage tables and chairs, the walls are decorated with leopard pelts. As for the music that is played here – the hit songs of 1950-1960s. Definitely one of the major elements of décor is the hair dryer in the toilet, the one like in old hairdressing salons. Perfect entertainment while you have to wait in the queue in the toilet. If you don’t know where to go at night on a week day, this place is for sure a good option.

El Fabuloso

This mini network that consists of two restaurants, is a compilation of all we want from this type of places: nice interior, reasonable prices and delicious, really delicious food. Commonly in La Musa several friends order different tapas and share them. In this way you can enjoy several dishes. The best ones are: snack from green tomatoes, tasting plates for several people and their special “La Bomba”. On a hot day you can refresh yourself with ice cold cider and take one of their special cakes for dessert. Traditionally, the dessert of the day is especially tasty. In this restaurant, located in La Latina area, there is a lovely terrace, that is usually very crowded during lunch time. And on working days the restaurant offers one of the best business lunches in Madrid for €11 (soup, main dish, drink and dessert).

La Musa

Café Manuela used to be a carpenter unit before. Founded in 1979 it rather looks like a typical café of the beginning of XX century. The interior of this place is so much in line with historic reality that it became a shooting site for more than 60 films and advertisement videos. The feature of this café is the dessert menu; as for the drinks, you can have here whatever you like – from coffee to cocktail. And the best thing is the variety of board games! There are around one hundred of them here and you can spend the whole evening playing the games with friends, family or strangers.

Café Manuela

It is a must to have a drink on one of the bar streets from Thursday to Sunday. After dinner, that usually ends around midnight, bars are a must visit before going to night clubs, as there is nothing to do there until 2-3 am. Do not stay for a long time in one bar. It is worth mentioning that you would hardly hear music in Madrid bars – even if it is slightly heard through the hum of the crowd, someone will definitely resent on the inability to talk in such conditions. Hardly any bar in any capital city of the world has the same character and charm as Madrid bars do, and the prices and barmen’s generosity pleasantly surprise.

Welcome for drinks! Bars of Madrid.

Little confectionaries, family cafes, discreet coffee houses with the best coffee – all these places are on our list of the best loved ones by the locals.

Madrid

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