Flamenco and other Madrid, Spain Nightlife Tips

Nightlife Spot: Casa Patas

There are several places to see flamenco in Madrid. I like Casa Patas because they feature many well known visiting artists and its a place that Spanish people like to go too. There are generally less dancers than you would see in a typical "tablao" but this place is more authentic. They have two shows a day and also a restaurant with typical spanish food, a little expensive but not too bad. When I was there the flamenco artists and all their friends were dining at the restaurant.
Call for times and reservations, cost is about 25 E per person.
Definately recommended.

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Theme: Live Music
Phone: 91 369 04 96
Address: Calle Canizares, 10
Directions: Metro Anton Martin

Nightlife Spot: Sala SOL

Sala Sol is a cool dance club that caters mostly to a 20s-30s crowd, more alternative than posh but for everyone. I really like the music there. I would describe it as hip 70s/funk/bossanova groove. It gets really crowded but if you go early (2.15am) you have more space to dance till it gets packed. Closes around 6am.
Its one of my favorite places to go because the music is great, its not so posh and everyone just has a great time.
There is a dj on fri and Sat nights during the week there are concerts of various styles.

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: No special dress code that I know of, you can get in with sneakers.
Phone: 91-5326490
Address: C/ Jardines 3
Directions: From Gran Via metro go down Calle Montera and its the second street on your left.
Website: www.elsolmad.com

Nightlife Spot: Espana Cani

To begin your night, If you want to go to a well known Madrid bar that foreigners AND Spanish people go, try Espana Cani. (The name means something like the worst of Spain, haha) They serve cheap sangria by the picher and if you go really early they have tapas. I?ve heard they have a good Salmorejo. The music is sort of Spanish pop. Its in Huertas so there are lots of other bars around to continue to afterwards. Its small and can get crowded but its a good place to meet people. And the feeling is very Spanish.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: No dress code, but people who go out in Huertas don't wear sneakers (unless they are foreign) because later you may want to get into some bars and clubs that don?t allow them.
Address: Calle Huertas, 14
Directions: On Huertas just off Pl. Santa Ana (the side near the Hotel Reina Victoria)

Nightlife Spot: Yelmo Cine Ideal

I read somewhere that Spaniards go to the movies more than people in many other countries. So its not a NON cultural thing to do. And if you want to see Original version movies (including English) you can check this place out. As a cinema its ok, nothing special but serves its purpose. For the Americans, no, butter is not available on the popcorn in Spain. :( Its near Sol and easy to find too. And has a nice facade.

It costs about 5.80 Euros and on non holiday Mondays its 4.30.

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Theme: Other
Phone: 91 369 25 18
Address: C/ Doctor Cortezo, 6 Plaza de Jacinto Benavente
Directions: From Sol follow C/ Carretas past Pl. Jacinto Benevente and you´ll see it.
Website: http://www.yelmocineplex.es/ideal_yelmo_cineplex.html
Other Contact: Venta telefónica 902 22 09 22

Nightlife Spot: Plaza Dos de Mayo

Plaza Dos de Mayo is the heart of the Malasaña district and Madrid´s alternaitve scene and in the summer its a great place to sit at one of the outdoor cafes (if you can find a free table) and have a drink and enjoy the atmosphere. The crowd is mainly 30s and under but everyone is welcome. There are lots of cool bars around this area too. Its not very touristy but very popular with the young and the hip from here and all over.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: However you want
Directions: Walk from Metro Tribunal on calle La palma, take a right on C/ San Andres, and you are there.

Nightlife Spot: Las Maravillas Pizzeria

So you have been siting at a cafe in Plaza 2 de mayo and its getting later and you notice people ordering pizzas and you want one too! You have to be sitting in one of the tables peraining to this pizzeria (most of the ones in the center section and to the left of the restaurant) There are many types of toppings avaliable and they are generally great.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Address: Plaza Dos de Mayo
Directions: From Metro Tribunal, take C/la Palma, then take a right on C/San Andres, its on your left.

Nightlife Spot: The Pink Tones

If you like Pink Floyd and never got the chance to hear their music live, OR even if you did, check out one ot these guys concerts. Their sound is fantastic and they offer the chance to experience the music in a way you can't at home with your CD player. My boyfriend is the lead guitarist so you could say I'm baised but the unanimous opinion is that they are great and more than do justice to the original. Great keyboards, amazing saxophone and guitars,
The set lists mainly include songs from, but not limited to, "The Wall, Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here" and others...
So come and rock out with a crowd of Spaniards who know the words better than me!

Upcoming Concerts:

9 Feb 08 - Sala Capitol (Santiago de Compostela)
19 Apr 08 - Extremusika (Caceres)

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Theme: Live Music
Website: www.pinktones.net

Nightlife Spot: Moore's (Tribunal)

There are loads of Irish and English pubs in Madrid. Moores is quite convenient and one I visit every so often. On Monday night there is a Pub Quiz, in English. There is a "menu del Dia" for lunch Mon-Fri. Live Football Champions League and Premiership matches. At Thanksgiving they even do a thanksgiving dinner for all the displaced Americans who need to have their Turkey with gravy.

picture to come...

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Phone: 91 532 6331
Address: C/ Barcelo 1
Directions: Right across Barcelo street from the Metro stop Tribunal.

Nightlife Spot: Cafe Manuela

For night and day, Cafe Manuela is a wonderful bar to have a specialty coffee or coctail. The decoration still transports you to a the 1920s. Its the perfect place to philosophise with your friends. It is in the neighborhood of Malasana near Plaza Dos de Mayo. My favorite time to go is a Saturday or Sunday lazy afternoon but its also popular at night too. There is a big selection of board games too. (they even have Trivial Pursuit in English.) I think they do poetry readings and the like on some weeknights.

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Theme: Other
Phone: 91 531 7037
Address: Calle San Vicente Ferrer 29
Directions: From Metro Tribunal walk along Calle San Vicente Ferrer for about 100 meters. Its on your left.

Nightlife Spot: Live music & shows

The 2 floor bar Honky Tonk is one of the well known bars in Madrid for live music and coctails. There is also a restaurant next store specializing in grilled meats. Upstairs is a nice posh/retro bar serving various coctails and downstairs is a painted-black concert bar with live bands many nights of the week. Style to be found is generally Rock, Blues and Country. The concerts usually start around 1am and afterwards a dj spins classic and newer rock tunes till 5am.
The last time I was there we saw a local band called "Los Parple" who are a fun band covering the songs of the legendary Deep Purple. Fun concert, crowd was into it and the band rocked.

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Theme: Live Music
Dress Code: Relaxed but nice.
Phone: 91.445.61.91
Address: Calle Covarubias, 24
Directions: Near Metro Alonso Martinez