With over 15,000 bars, pubs, and taverns, Madrid is one of the cities with the highest bar density in Europe. With the average resident paying a visit to one of these 15,000 on average 3 times per week, bar culture in Madrid cannot be understated.
What makes it truly special however is how seamlessly Madrid blends old and new—ancient taverns with worn wooden counters sit seconds away from cutting-edge cocktail lounges and top-tier natural wine bars in avant-garde settings defined by industrial minimalism. Here, drinking is never just about the beverage; it’s about connection, community, and a genuine celebration of life’s simple pleasures.
Whether you find yourself sipping sherry in a century-old cellar or enjoying a craft cocktail in a repurposed cinema, the city’s bars invite you into their stories. The energy spills from bustling terraces and hidden courtyards alike, creating spaces where locals and visitors mingle with equal warmth. Madrid’s bar culture isn’t just nightlife—it’s a way of living, a daily ritual that captures the city’s soul and invites everyone to be part of it.
Favourite unique bars
Sala Equis
The first shout-out has to go to a popular haunt as it is something you simply rarely find in any city on Earth. Once a 1970s adult cinema, Sala Equis has been reborn and transformed into a dynamic cultural bar in the city centre with huge ceilings, neon lights and plantlife invading the walls like some kind of post-apocalypse scene. Its unique nature hits you the moment you step inside, with a huge screen playing black-and-white films above the bar and an eclectic range of seating on all sides including deck chairs and busy steps which are sometimes the site of live performances. Above the bar, a cinema offers indie films throughout the month. It’s a pulsating atmosphere that’s both playful and relaxed always paying homage to its original cinematic heritage.
📍 Call del Duque de Alba, 4 – La Latina / Tirso de Molina
El Viajero
Not far from Sala Equis set atop a building in the lively La Latina district, is the hidden rooftop bar El Viajero. This sanctuary offers a bohemian vibe, casual seating, and views stretching over Madrid’s rooftops, it’s a favourite for sunset drinks and late-night conversations. It is also right next to Mercado de la Cebada, La Buha and Pez Tortilla (two great places to try tortillas in Madrid) and Cava Baja street which is teeming with great bars and eateries.
📍 Plaza de la Cebada, 11 – La Latina
La Manuela
La Manuela throws back to the 1980s with its retro style. It’s a spot to let loose, play board games, and enjoy creatively mixed drinks in a setting that’s both nostalgic and fresh.
📍 Calle de San Vicente Ferrer, 29– Malasaña
La Venencia
La Venencia is defined by its dusty bottles, old paintings, and no-nonsense sherry served straight from the barrel. This historic sherry bar encourages genuine immersion into Madrid’s sherry culture and is the type of place where you might spot a Hemingway-type character sitting in the corner letting his genius run wild while savouring some prime sherry.
📍 Calle de Echegaray, 7 – Barrio de las Letras
Café Moderno
Café Moderno deserves a mention despite not being the most incredible of bars and providing somewhat slow service and a moderate range of options. Inside art deco interior exudes a timeless charm, featuring vintage furnishings and a cosy ambience but it is the fantastic sun-dappled terrace perched on the edge of Plaza de las Comendadoras that makes it a favourite.
This picturesque setting caught the attention of renowned filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar, who chose Café Moderno as a filming location for his movie Madres Paralelas. With an ambience inspired by Almodóvar’s Madrid, it blends cinematic flair with a carefully curated wine and cocktail menu and is a vibrant gathering place for locals and visitors alike on either a lively evening or leisurely afternoon.
📍 Plaza de las Comendadoras, 1 – Noviciado
Bars for drinking and eating
Lamiak
A small Basque-inspired bar tucked in the heart of Madrid, Lamiak serves pintxos that pair effortlessly with its casual, well-chosen wine and cider list. The atmosphere is laid-back and unpretentious, inviting locals and visitors alike to enjoy simple, quality bites alongside friendly conversation. There are two locations one in La Latina on Cava Baja and another next to the Antón Martín metro.
📍 Calle Cava Baja 42 – La Latina
📍 Calle de la Rosa, 10 – Barrio de las Letras / Antón Martín
Café Pavón
One more in La Latina – Café Pavón is a terrific spot where classic meets contemporary. A longstanding Madrid institution, it combines classic bar culture with contemporary energy. With its polished interiors and steady flow of patrons, it’s a reliable stop for well-crafted cocktails and a taste of the city’s evolving nightlife.
📍 Calle de Embajadores, 9 – La Latina
Casa Macareno
Intimate, lively, authentic. Casa Macareno embodies the soul of traditional Madrid bars. The wooden counters and friendly chatter create an authentic setting where locals gather to enjoy classic drinks and small plates in a typical spot that is brimming with character.
📍 Calle de San Vicente Ferrer, 44– Malasaña
Bodega de la Ardosa
Bodega de la Ardosa is a historic tavern famed for its vermouth and century-old charm. The wooden bar and walls filled with old photos and dusty bottles make it an authentic spot for sampling Madrid’s traditional aperitivos while feeling like you’ve travelled back in time.
📍 Calle de Colón, 13 – Malasaña
La Tita Rivera
While it might not be as vibrant as the others, La Tita Rivera earns a shoutout for being an unknown hidden courtyard slap-bang in the city centre. Its secret garden is tucked away behind an unassuming façade just off the very commercial Calle de Fuencarral. Fires warm the hideaway in winter and the shaded nature of it provides a welcome retreat during warmer months.
📍 Calle de Pérez Galdós, 4 – Malasaña / Chueca