Best Bars in Madrid, Madrid, Spain (D)

For the most authentic Flamenco in Madrid, visit Cardamomo Tablao Flamenco. So much more than dancing, this Spanish folk art is an intricate mixture of guitar playing, singing, and of course, heart-pounding dance moves. While the Andalucia region is more known for Flamenco than Madrid, many of the art’s greatest perform here to make a raw statement about the future of their gypsy craft. Show admission includes a drink. Entry to the bar with limited views of the stage is free.

The oldest cerveceria in Madrid, this bar has been serving world class beer since 1904. With classic wood panels and bow-tie clad waiters, a stop here is a step back in time. This bar was even a favorite for Ernest Hemingway when he lived in Spain. Enjoy one of the widest selections of Spanish beers in the city or try other beers from around the world.

Be sure to dress your best and be on the look out for Spanish celebrities as you hit one of Madrid’s most posh establishments. Located on the roof of ME Madrid, a Meliá property, this lounge bar offers stellar views of the city. Chill out with a cocktail while listening to light house music.

Wander down winding steps and enter a cozy cave that serves the best sangria in Madrid. The atmosphere is filled with piano music and sounds of chatter. Popular with writers and artists since the 1950’s, the walls are covered with contemporary paintings and quotations that will help get the creative juices flowing, especially after a few glasses of sangria.

Swap travel stories with fellow English speakers in a traditional Irish pub in the heart of Madrid. Here American football and basketball games are broadcasted along with European football matches. With two floors, there’s plenty of space to cheer for one of your favorite teams with a feisty crowd of new friends.

If the name isn’t enough to draw you in, the indie and oldie music and two levels for dancing certainly should. Beer is cheap and music is free at this hipster hangout, it is also great for people watching. Local DJs will help you discover new tunes – a much more memorable souvenir than that keychain you picked up in Puerta del Sol.

Gau and Café is a modern bar and café in the traditional neighborhood of Lavapiés, the Jewish quarter of the city prior to World War II. On the roof of the old Pias school, a historical building from the 17th century, the spacious terrace offers views of neighborhood sites including la Corrala, an open-air auditorium. Enjoy a cocktail or mojito, their specialty, in the calm, relaxed atmosphere.

Taberna Lamiak is located on the popular Calle de la Cava Baja in the La Latina neighborhood, a street well known for tapas. During La Movida Madrileña, a counterculture movement in the late 1970’s and 80’s, this place was frequented by artists and musicians. Today it is a popular stop for tapas crawlers and known for its excellent selection of wine.

Head to the terrace at La Potente for a mid-day drink session on Sundays and listen to old Spanish music. This bar is located in the La Latina neighborhood, the oldest in Madrid, with charming narrow streets and fabulous tapas. La Potente opens earlier than most bars in the district and is an excellent location to begin a tapas crawl.

Enjoy a drink while you browse a selection of DVDs for rent or watch a popular film that is projected on large screens around the bar. Home to the young intellectual scene in Madrid, it’s easy to strike up conversation with the film fanatics who frequent this bar. Film screenings and cinema debates are also held here.

With low prices and a heaping plate of fresh tapas included with every drink, El Tigre is a great place to start a night out in Madrid. On the edge of Malasaña, a creative neighborhood that is the center of the counterculture movement in Madrid, this local watering hole has a young, hip crowd and vibrant energy. Drink up and dig your fork into the patatas bravas and croquettes.

It is widely agreed upon that the best Croquetas, a traditional Spanish tapa of fried dough stuffed with cheese and meat, are found at Casa Julio. In fact, the croquetas are so good at this cozy bar that U2’s Bono makes this joint a regular stop on his visits to Madrid.

La Tita Rivera is the definition of “Superguay,” the Madrileños slang term for super cool. The outdoor terrace in back is so filled with trees and plants it’s easy to forget you’re in the trendy Cheuca district near the city center. Try one of the “latitas,” traditional wine cocktails canned with a custom twist.

Part longue, part concert venue, Siroco is the place to go for live rock music in Madrid. The vibrant atmosphere will carry you to the dance floor whether you are listening to a live acoustic jam session or renowned DJ. The robust cocktail menu offers classic oldies and new concoctions that are sure to make waves.

Between 1936 and 1975, dictator Francisco Franco ruled Spain. Following his death, democracy was restored and La Movida Madrileña, vibrant artistic and ideological movement ensured. La Vía Láctea was one of the birthplaces of this movement, and has served guests for more than 30 years. With two floors and countless bars, you’re never far away from a drink or eclectic rock.

Translation: Madrid Kills Me. Part museum, part bar, this establishement plays tribute to La Movida Madrileña, a counterculture movement in the late 1970’s and 80’s. The bar was named after a popular magazine published during this time period that helped forge a new common identity for madrileños. Grab a beer and scour the walls to learn more about this movement that pathed the way for modern nightlife in Madrid.

The party is always pumping at LL, a small disco in Cheuca, the gay and lesbian community of Madrid. The intimate environment and dance floors make it easy to mingle with locals and the nightly drag queen improv comedy shows keep the laughs flowing, almost more than the liquor. Entry is free.

The interior of this bar is themed like a cave, complete with stalagmites and dim lighting. Since 1971 patrons have been lining up for the famed “leche de pantera,” pather’s milk, a crème based drink that is served from the stalagmites. This bar is especially popular with the college crowd and is near one of Madrid’s largest universities.