Madrid’s Top 10 : Nights Out

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  1. Casa PATAS

    If you’re interested in Flamenco but don’t know your cantadores from your bailadores, this lively club is a good place to get acquainted with the scene. Rated by madrileños
    for its class acts, the show usually starts around 11pm or a little
    later and continues into the small hours. Beforehand you can have a
    drink at the bar or order from the range of tapas, steaks and plates of fried fish .




    Casa PATAS



  2. Las Carboneras

    Set to rival Casa PATAS is this Madrid tablao
    (Flamenco club) which opened in 2002, its talented and enthusiastic
    young owners also figuring among the performers. The standard of both
    resident and visiting acts is excellent, which is why it is already
    making waves among aficionados. Although the show doesn’t usually begin
    until around 11pm, arrive early to be sure of a seat. Serves typical
    Spanish snacks.

    • Plaza del Conde de Miranda 1

  3. Café Central

    Rated
    as one of the best jazz clubs in Europe, since it first opened in the
    1980s it has booked top international acts. The decor carved wooden
    ceiling, gilded mirrors, marble tables, maroon seats is also
    exceptional. If you get here early, you can while away the time snacking
    on tapas .




    Café Central

  4. Populart

    Founded
    in the early 1990s, this jazz venue, like the Central, is now an
    important part of the cultural life of the city. The stage is small and
    space is at a premium, so get here early if you want to see as well as
    hear the acts – not only traditional jazz, but blues, country,
    Jazz-Latino, even occasional reggae. Very smoky .

  5. La Negra Tomasa

    One
    of the best places in town to hear top salsa bands (and emerging
    talent) performing live. The show usually starts around 11pm but you’ll
    have to get here much earlier to get a seat. Otherwise you’ll join the
    samba-like queue at the bar, clapping and swaying to the infectious
    rhythms. Standard Cuban fare served .

  6. Calle54

    After making the film Calle-54,
    Spanish director Fernando Trueba created this club to offer the best in
    lively Latin jazz. There is also a restaurant serving Mediterranean
    cuisine. The show starts at 11pm and booking is essential.

    • Paseo de la Habana 3

    • Metro Santiago Bernabeú

  7. Joy Madrid

    Madrid’s best known disco celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2001. Once a 19th-century theatre, staging zarzuela
    operettas and music hall, visitors can still gaze down at the dancers
    from the tiered balconies. A favourite with the city’s gilded youth and
    showbiz crowd, outsiders are more than welcome. Don’t bother turning up
    before midnight – none of the locals will.

    • Calle de Arenal 11




    Joy Madrid

  8. Clamores

    This
    roomy jazz venue also books blues, reggae and gospel acts and,
    occasionally, Flamenco. The atmosphere is laid back and the audience
    really gets into the swing of things. Look out for the weekend jam
    sessions.

    • Calle de Alburquerque 14

  9. Villa Rosa

    Villa
    Rosa has been going for more than 40 years, originally as a Flamenco
    club, more recently as a disco. Visitors can admire the tiled Andalusian
    style interior, shown to good effect in Pedro Almodóvar’s Movida period
    movie High Heels. Very crowded by 1am, more so as the night wears on .

  10. Palacio de Gaviria

    Dance
    in the footsteps of the Marqués de Gaviria, a 19th-century hedonist who
    entertained Madrid’s high society in this ornate palace near Puerta del
    Sol. This venue has various bars, each with a different ambience, and
    there are frequent theme nights. The ballroom is either used for live
    music, or is colonised by serious dancers getting down to the guest DJs .