In Madrid, the days take care of themselves. Spend them strolling through the plazas, basking in the sun or in one of the many art galleries. (Where else can one see Picasso’s Guernica, Goya’s black paintings and the best of the Flemish school in just one day?) When it’s time to segue to the evening, there are plenty of old school tabernas at the ready for a leisurely aperitivo and slice of tortilla. And while the city may not have a strong gastronomical tradition of its own, it offers a unique window into the regional cooking of the entire country, from Galicia to Valencia to Catalonia.
And then the night falls. Unlike other major European cities, Madrid doesn’t shut down on weeknights—locals don’t just head home. The city’s nightlife has always been lively and extended well into the morning, and surprisingly, two years of pandemic have barely interrupted that. On the contrary: with new openings throughout the city and old standbys continuing in what they’ve always done well, it’s just a matter of deciding whether you want to croon karaoke-style with a legendary pianist, have shiso-inflected cocktails at a glittery new marbled horseshoe-shaped bar or dance to hip-hop all night or until your feet wear out. Madrid’s got you covered. Here’s a short selection of our favorite spots. Consider it a teaser: once on the ground, locals will no doubt recommend many other places. They’re nice like that.
LIVE MUSIC:
Café Central
At forty years-old “El Central” (as the locals call it), with its striking 19th-century facade, remains Madrid's top jazz venue and is widely considered one of the best clubs in all of Europe. After an understandably rough two years, Café Central is now back to its best with concerts every night, the perfect occasion to discover the city’s thrilling local jazz scene. Plaza de Ángel, 10
Tempo Club
Tempo Club is two things at once: a concert venue, and also an audiophile club. More common in Japan than in Europe, audiophile clubs offer pristine sound experiences and the two-story Tempo is equipped with an impressive vintage hifi set up for the artists of various genres who perform live there Thursday to Saturday, with DJs the rest of the week. And while most venues are lacking in the cocktail department, Tempo has a great list of well-made, classic drinks. Calle del Duque de Osuna, 8
Toni 2
This is a piano club, with a catch: guests are invited to take the microphone and sing the tune of their choice, with piano accompaniment. It’s like karaoke, except the singer has to know the lyrics by heart and if they’re off-key they’ll face the wrath of the irascible pianist. A quirky, legendary late night venue, Toni 2 offers a uniquely madrileña experience. Young bucks try to impress under the watchful eyes of 70 year-old veterans who’ve seen and done it all. There’s nothing quite like it. On weekends, be prepared to queue. Calle del Amirante, 9. https://www.toni2.es
DANCING:
Goya Social Club
For those into techno and house music, there are quite a few options in Madrid. But Goya Social Club is different. First, the owners took great care in setting it up with a high quality sound-system. Second, it’s a fairly small space (with a 200-person capacity) that allows for a more immersive and exclusive experience. And finally, programming is top notch, with many DJs coming from outside of Spain. They’re not always famous, but they’re always on the cutting edge. Open Thursday to Friday. Calle de Goya, 43
Sala Clamores
Much like Café Central, Sala Clamores has been a go-to for jazz for 40 years. But today, its programming is more varied—with urban, blues and rock artists playing live—and its shows are more frequent, often with three concerts a day on the weekends. At night, Clamores turns into a dance club with DJs spinning from midnight on. Friday’s DaBasement parties range from hip hop to dancehall, while Saturday’s Clamores Dance Club is a bit more mainstream, with a selection of hits from across the decades. Calle de Albuquerque, 14
Café Berlin
There’s no place quite like Café Berlin if you’re into music, no matter the genre. Its motto could be eclectic sounds for eclectic minds: flamenco nights are as likely as afrobeat ones. But it could also be soul or salsa. This is your best bet for live music or dancing any night in central Madrid. Weekends are busier, of course, with a rolling program of electronica, disco or soul. Café Berlin welcomes a diverse crowd and prices are relatively low. Costanilla de los Angeles, 20
