Image by Nikko Hinderstein

Plastered with Ramones souvenirs, you get both visual and audio blitz of the Ramones in Nueva Visión. The actual band members have all been there at least once (the whole band was there in 1992).

Pronounced /ra-mon-Es/ in Spanish, the Ramones are dearly loved and daresay, worshipped here. The bar is small and loud, but a total anomaly with its strong and selective theme.

If you’re a rocker or a closet rocker like some of us, you’ll have a blast dancing to “I wanna be Sedated” and other punk rock hits (it’s not ALL Ramones). And finally, if you are a really big fan of the Ramones, you can buy your Madrid fan club paraphernalia at the bar.

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Nueva Visión | Bars, Music | T-shirt € 12.00
Calle Velarde 5 | Chueca & Malasaña
Wed – Sat 21:00 – 03:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Nikko Hinderstein

Just down from the Mercado de San Miguel (check the San Miguel article), the Mesón del Champiñon is a cave with fungi-esque decor.

They specialize in fantastic mushrooms drenched in olive oil, garlic and adorned with bits of chorizo, but in addition to the tapas, you get entertainment. There is a guy playing the electric piano for tips and you can make song requests (his repertoire is vast, but random) and then sing along group-style.

The last time I was there a microphone was taken out for a few customers who reminded me of characters from an Almodóvar film; they sang Spanish ballads, danced and we applauded.

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Mesón del Champiñon | Bars, Music, Restaurants (Tapas) | Mushroom tapas € 6.00
Cava de San Miguel 17 | Sol | +34915596790
Spring – Summer Sun – Thu 18:00 – 01:30, Fri – Sat 18:00 – 02:30, Winter lunch 12:00 – 16:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Nikko Hinderstein

Hidden just off the busy shopping street, Fuencarral, Jhambala is a secret trove of food, teas and chill-out lounging. Pulling their inspiration from Buddhism, the decor is tranquil, the food tasty and the music relaxing.

During the day it’s nice to stop and have a tea from their extensive menu, a salad or one of their exquisite desserts. On a nice day, enjoy the terrace outside. At night the mood turns more festive with exotic cocktails and eclectic dishes.

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Jhambala | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Spanish/Arabic)
Pérez Galdós 3 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34915222061
Mon – Thu 10:00 – 00:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Nikko Hinderstein

Just off San Bernardo, this new spot has great prices and fantastic food. Instead of offering a huge menu-del-día that you can’t finish, they have several dishes per day depending on the season and the Chef’s mood. On the regular menu, try the Tuscon burger that has avocado and goat cheese.

The tapas are great too, I’ve tried the spicy sliders (little hamburgers) that were great, and at brunch on Saturday AND NOW SUNDAY, they have the regular favorites like french toast and eggs benedict.

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Carmencita Bar | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants (Spanish-American) | Breakfast burrito € 6.50
San Vicente Ferrer, 51 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34915238073
Tue – Fri 13:00 -16:30 & 19:00 – 01:00, Sat 12:00 – 02:30, Sun 12:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan

This is one of my favourite cafes for going out during the week. It gets crowded, lets you meet very different people from all cultures, and it´s located in the heart of the city. Just a few meters behind Café del Real (see the Café del Real article), Café Madrid is also near Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor. They serve an assortment of beers and wines in a pleasant atmosphere.

The reason why I usually go there is that, since 2000, every Wednesday there is what is called an International Evening. So either if you´re a local and you´d like to practise other languages, or you´re just visiting the city and you don´t know anyone, this is the place!!

In Café Madrid I find people from different countries, languages and cultures. Actually, language exchanges are getting popular in the city. We call them “intercambios” and they offer people the chance to practice their language skills with “native” speakers.

The madrileño´s guy who came up with the idea of these meetings at Café Madrid also acts as the host of the evening and helps with introductions. So don´t worry if you´re shy, as he´ll give you a little stick with the language you want to practice, for everybody to know. It´s pretty similar as what they do at O´Neills (see the O’Neills article) but in a different day of the week.

Trust me, it is the cheapest way to practice a foreign language!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Café Madrid | Bars
Escalinata s/n | Sol
Language exchanges Wed 21:00 – till late

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan López

I have to admit that this is not the cheapest cocktail bar in the city, but a good option for a night out. The difference is that, in other places, they think a cocktail is just a mojito or a caipirinha; El51 is much more and has a great variety of options. (Do not miss the Cosmopolitan and Sour Apple Martini!).

El 51 has Spanish music from the 70´s, 80´s and 90´s in the background, a very posh decoration and always a good atmosphere make El51 a recommended spot.

I would suggest to go there also on Sundays, as there is a free afternoon snack. They also have interesting 2X1 promotions and the cocktail of the month, so maybe it is a good start for next time… Cheers!

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El 51 | Bars | Mojito € 8.00
Calle Hortaleza, 51 | Chueca & Malasaña
Mon – Thu 18:00 – 03:00, Fri – Sun 16:00 – 03:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan

It´s not a certain street what I would like to recommend here. It is not a bar or a particular coffee shop. It is La Latina itself on a Sunday morning. People sitting on the floor sunbathing with a beer in their hand; people playing the guitar or just chatting. The neighbourhood changes completely and it is full of activity. A combination of tapas, sun, drinks and a late breakfast. Everybody is sleepy on a Sunday morning…

I personally enjoy Sundays here. It does not matter if it is summer or winter. It is another way of feeling the flavour of the city. Everywhere you go, there is always the same positive mood, exactly the same type of vibration.

There is no exact spot I can recommend, as every corner has a different and fantastic touch. It is my plan after the Rastro, the traditional open air market. And definitely it seems to be everybody’s plan to spend the sunny weekend time in the street.

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La Latina | Bars | Free
Every single corner | Lavapies & Latina
Sun 12:00 – 00:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan López

People say these are bad times for the music (in Spanish: “Corren malos tiempos para la música”). So it could be quite hard to find a good pianist… Well, in Toni 2… they have three!!!!!

Toni 2 is not a karaoke; the people that go here to singare actually incredible artists!!

Located in the heart of the city, close to the National Library, between calle Barquillo and Paseo de Recoletos, Toni 2 was originally a different business, but the owner introduced a piano and now it is the reference of the place.

I could say that Toni 2 and just a few other, like Café Gijón and El Espejo, are the only emblematic venues for a different night out in Madrid.

It is a very special place, a symbol of spontaneity because everybody is sitting around the large piano and there are turns for everybody to take the microphone and sing. It is surprising how you can see people from different ages with the same passion.

It’s open from midnight till six in the morning, every day of the year. So here you will listen to traditional Spanish or international songs that you can ask the pianist to play.

A totally different concept for a piano bar. A real discovery!

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TONI 2 | Bars | Alcoholic drink € 15.00
Calle Almirante, 9 | Salamanca Area | +34915320011
00:00 – 06:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by By: Teresa Juan López

If you need to talk, this is the perfect spot! It is a quiet bar located in the heart of the city where you can order very good juices and also eat things like humus, tortillas or quiches for a reasonable price.

It is something special because there are not a lot of venues like this around, so it is worth to visit. Perfect after a shopping day!

And, if you go there at night, you will find a great atmosphere for drinking a mojito or caipirina. People say you can also find famous people there, but I have gone there just for a chat in the afternoon. I cannot tell.

Inspired in the Northern European bars, I find it very exotic in a city like Madrid.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La sueca | Bars | Humus € 6
Calle Hortaleza, 67 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34913190487
Mon – Fri 08:00 – 02:00; Fri 08:00 – 03:00, Sat 18:00 – 03:00, Sun 18:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan

The name of this tavern comes from an almond tree that Rodrigo de Vargas (a descendant of Saint Isidro, Madrid´s patron saint) used to have in his gardens. When the street was built, the tree was left in the middle. And they cut it in 1742.

This tavern is owned by a guy from Cadiz and he knows how to prepare a good meal. Oh, Gosh!! Sundays are the best days for having a stroll around La Latina and hang out for “tapas y cañas”. Taberna El Almendro is one of my favourite places during the late lunch time. It is a fantastic place for a beer or a glass of white wine (here there´re no red wines or rose wines) with green olives.

It´s normally really crowded, more than usual. But I find it part of its magic, as every time you go, you have to figure out how to take a seat or a spot for your meal. So first you check if there is room for you, and then you order your meal. They will shout your name when it will be ready. For the drinks, you just ask the bar tender and pay straight away.

Don´t miss their famous “patatas con huevos estrellados” (potatoes with fried eggs) and their “roscas” (bread rolls filled with Iberian ham, sobrasada or liver morcilla… Mmmmmm… delicious!!

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Taberna El Almendro | Bars | Main meal € 15.00
Calle Almendro 13 | Lavapies & Latina | +34913654252
Mon – Fri 13:00 – 16:00 & 19:30 – 00:00, Sat – Sun 13:00 – 17:00 & 20:00 – 01:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid