More insider guides for planning a trip to Madrid
Many refer to Madrileños as gatos (cats) for their tendency to enjoy late nights, and so, unsurprisingly, Madrid is a city with an exceptional nightlife offering. Our resident expert Annie Bennett believes there is something for everyone, from cool rooftop bars and funky jazz venues to sophisticated opera houses and pounding nightclubs.
Puerta del Sol and Gran Vía
Azotea del Círculo
Zoom up to the vast roof terrace of the Círculo de Bellas Artes cultural centre near Plaza de Cibeles for jawdropping 360-degreee views across the city – it’s particularly spectacular at sunset. With lots of low-slung seating for lounging on and a huge range of beer, wines, champagne, mixed drinks and cocktails, this is a great place to get in the swing of Madrid if you arrive on a warm night. Order a glass of cava or try a zingy Raspberry Collins. You can also have tapas or dinner up here in the Tartan Roof restaurant.
Contact: 00 34 91 530 1761; azoteadelcirculo.com
Opening times: Summer, Mon-Fri, 9am-2am (Fri until 2.30am); Sat, 11am-2.30am; Sun, 11am-2am; Winter, Mon-Fri, 9am-9pm; Sat-Sun, 11am-9pm
Prices: ££
Getting in: Smart casual dress; busy after 12am at weekends in summer
Discoteca El Son
Even people who claim not to be into clubbing cannot resisit the lure of the dance floor at El Son; it’s one of the most popular places for salsa, Latin and Caribbean music in Madrid. With live performances as well as DJs, this is a great place to end up with a group of friends. The club is on two levels, with an area where you can have a rest with a mojito. Things start warming up after 1am and it really gets going around 3am. They also run Latin dance classes from Monday to Thursday at 10.30pm.
Contact: 00 34 91 523 2609; discotecaelson.com
Opening times: 10pm-6am
Prices: £
Getting in: No dress code but expect to queue at weekends after 2am
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Teatro de la Zarzuela
Madrid’s own version of light opera, known as zarzuela, is performed in this pretty theatre with a horseshoe shape, which is modelled on La Scala in Milan. Although it dates back to 1856, it was largely rebuilt in the early 20th century. Zarzuela emerged in the 17th century and is a cross between a play and a musical, usually with a lot of humour as well. The best-known zarzuela composers include Francisco Asenjo Barbieri, Federico de Chueca, Ruperto Chapí and Joaquín Gaztambide and the operettas are often set in the most traditional areas of the city.
Contact:00 34 91 524 5400; teatrodelazarzuela.mcu.es
Opening times: The season runs from October to mid-July and performances usually start at 8pm
Prices: ££
Getting in: Smart casual dress; booking usually required in advance
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Plaza Mayor, Opera, and La Latina
Teatro Real
One of the most prestigious opera houses in Europe; it hosts an impressive programme of both its own and international productions and is also a leading venue for classical and occasionally contemporary music concerts and dance performances. Although the building dates back to the mid-19th century, it was extensively remodelled in the late 20th century to create a spectacular auditorium with superb acoustics that seats around 1,740 people in front of one of the largest stages in the world. There are some reasonably priced tickets available, but be warned that these are sold out months ahead.
Contact: 00 34 91 516 0660; teatro-real.com
Opening times: The season runs from September to June and performances usually start between 7.30pm and 9.30pm.
Prices: £££
Getting in: Smart dress required; booking usually required well in advance
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Barrio de las Letras and Lavapiés
Café Central
This traditional café just off Plaza de Santa Ana is a much-loved institution in Madrid. You can spot it from its maroon wooden façade, and the inside is decked out with iron columns, marble tables and red velvet banquettes. While you can have coffee, drinks or snacks at any time, it gets packed for the jazz and blues concerts that happen every night at 10pm. It is popular with people of all ages and nationalities, and there is always a lively, friendly atmosphere. Order a beer or a vermouth and perhaps some ibérico ham croquettes to get started.
Contact: 00 34 91 369 4143; cafecentralmadrid.com
Opening times: 11.30am-2.30am (Fri-Sat until 3.30am)
Prices: £
Getting in: It is worth booking to bag a table with a good view of the stage
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Casa Patas
Although this flamenco centre is undeniably popular with tourists, the artists who perform here are the best in Spain. There is an Andalucian theme going on in the tiled bar and restaurant area at the front, where you can order some tapas to share, but it is in the simple back room – the tablao – where the magic happens. Performances with guitarists, singers and dancers start at 10.30pm; there’s also an 8pm show on Fridays and Saturdays, which are the busiest nights. Check the programme for events in the Sala García Lorca upstairs too.
Contact: 00 34 91 369 0496; casapatas.com
Opening times: Mon-Thurs, 8pm-1.30am; Fri-Sat, 6.30pm-2.30am closed
Prices: ££
Getting in: Advanced booking recommended
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Marula
You can groove the night away at Marula, then walk through the atmospheric lanes of the Austrias neighbourhood at dawn. It’s found just off Plaza de la Paja in the heart of medieval Madrid, and has sleek interiors. Different DJs play every night – expect a lively mix of funk, soul, R&B, hip hop and Latin jazz. There are often live performances and jam sessions too, which start around 11.30pm. Things tend to hot up sometime after 2am and the place is jammed at weekends. Order a tequila sour or a pomada, made with Menorcan gin, lavender, ginger and lime.
Contact: 00 34 91 366 1596; marulacafe.com
Opening times: Tues, Wed and Thurs, 11pm-5.30am; Fri-Sat, 11.30pm-6am; Sun, 9.30pm-5.30am
Prices: £
Getting in: Go dressed as you are; you might have to queue on Fridays and Saturdays
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Paseo del Prado and The Retiro Park
Teatro Kapital
This huge and wildly popular club is set in a former theatre and sprawls over seven galleried floors with a different vibe on each level. Start on the main dance floor, but venture upwards for karaoke on the second floor or a giant gin and tonic in the Kissing Room cocktail bar on level four. If you are more into mojitos and Latin grooves, hit floor six, and if you need a breath of fresh air, go up to the roof terrace. You can usually get in free before 1am on Thursdays, and it is cheaper before 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Contact: 00 34 91 420 2096; grupo-kapital.com
Opening times: Thurs, 12am-5.30am (Fri-Sat, until 6am)
Prices: ££
Getting in: Clubbing attire; go to the website to get on the guest list
Chamberí
Clamores
Musicians from Spain and all over the world perform at this basement club in the Chamberí neighbourhood. Although Clamores is renowned for its jazz and blues concerts, the programme often features flamenco, folk, tango, latin and rock music too. Be prepared for a bit of a scrum around the marble tables without much room for manoeuvre, particularly at weekends. Fortunately the waiting staff are super efficient at wiggling between the gaps to keep everyone topped up with beers, gin and tonics and cocktails. Opt for Una Ranchera Jamaicana, for a mix of rum, mezcal and cocoa liqueur.
Contact: 00 34 91 445 5480; salaclamores.es
Opening times: 8pm-1am (Fri-Sat until 6am)
Prices: £
Getting in: Advisable to buy tickets online in advance
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Madrid Río and Casa de Campo
Sala La Riviera
Down by the Manzanares river, La Riviera is a landmark venue with a large stage, a huge circular dance floor, nine bars and an outdoor space too – which is where everyone hangs out on hot summer nights when the breeze from the river means it is a few degrees cooler than in the centre. As well as club nights with DJs, it has an interesting programme of concerts by both major artists and up-and-coming bands. The live music events usually take place on week nights at 8pm, while the club nights are at weekends from midnight.
Contact: 00 34 91 365 2415; salariviera.com
Opening times: club, Fri-Sat, 12am-6am; concerts, weekdays, from 8pm
Prices: ££
Getting in: Smart casual
