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This
popular watering hole has a pedigree going back more than 200 years –
Goya sold some of his paintings here. The pub was given a makeover in
the 1980s and the owner claims it was the first bar in Madrid to
celebrate St Patrick’s night. That was when they started serving
Guinness and homemade tortilla, one of the mainstays of an enticing tapas menu. The subdued lighting, mellow music and amiable clientele create an addictive ambience . -
El Parnasillo
Located in the trendy Malasaña district, this café and bar is decorated in belle époque
style and is one of the oldest cafés in the area. On offer are homemade
cakes and a wide choice of coffee. Come early evening for hot drinks or
sip one of El Parnasillo’s famous cocktails later on. Snacks are also
available . -
Café Manuela
Manuela as in Manuela Malasaña.
The statue of the local heroine is a feature of the lovely late
19th-century decor, which includes mirrors, fluted columns and stucco
flourishes. The entertainment ranges from concerts and poetry readings
(sometimes bilingual) to discussions and exhibitions by local artists.
The friendly staff serves coffees, beers or cocktails depending on the
time of day, as well as tapas . -
Ramsés
Swing
by the Puerta de Alcalá at 1am and spot Ferraris double parked outside
this Philippe Starck designed complex. Popular with Madrid’s most
fashionable crowd, the large, oval cocktail bar is perfect for people
watching, and serves an extensive selection of drinks. There are also
two great restaurants and a club in the basement. The delicious weekend
brunch is a good hangover cure, choose a table with a view of the plaza . -
Museo Chicote
“The
best bar in Spain, certainly” was Ernest Hemingway’s verdict on this
cocktail bar. It was in the 1950s and 1960s however that Chicote became
really famous, thanks to visiting Hollywood celebrities such as Frank
Sinatra. The bar, which preserves its 1930s decor, is at its best late
evening .
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La Venencia
A
bar for sherry drinkers who know their fino from their manzanilla, La
Venencia opened its doors in 1929 and still does a roaring trade,
especially in the evenings when tourists mingle with a loyal local
following. Apart from the decor, which is ageing as graciously as the
sherries behind the counter, there’s a good selection of canapés and tapas such as mojama (flakes of salty dried tuna) . -
Alhambra
Designed
to look like a bar of the early 1900s with Moorish touches, Alhambra is
one of the best places to start the evening if you’re about to embark
on a tour of the night spots of Sol and Santa Ana. Check out the
Andalusian tapas – especially the cured meats and spicy sausage. Drinks are more expensive from around 11pm at weekends .
