Music venues & clubs – All our local tips

Aula 11 is one of my favourite places in Madrid. I do not think there is anything similar as it offers a combination of cultural events and personal growth.

Three brave partners tought about the idea during the summer of 2006 and now this unique place is located in the heart of the city, in Plaza Tirso de Molina; so it is easy to find.

Apart from the regular agenda that varies every week on their website, there are several interesting seminars that you can try. There are yoga or belly dance courses, you can try your skills in the theatre or performance, or learn about body language, positive attitude and coaching.

Concerts are mostly during weekends. Last time I went to Aula 11, there was a very relaxing Jam Session on a Friday night. The atmosphere was different from any other place. The light, the location, the staff… Trust me, you can feel like at home, sitting down on the wooden floor, enjoying your drink. Do not miss this place, try once and you will get addicted! And do not forget to experience a Hindu concert!

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Aula 11 | Art & culture, Music, Relaxing | Free
Plaza Tirso de Molina 8 | Lavapies & Latina | +34913691127
Check the website for opening times

Café, lounge, bar, concerts and late night club – Café La Palma has it all.

It’s a standard in the late night activity bordering Malasaña. During the early evening, the café part serves up coffee, tea or “infusions” of fresh mint. In one of the sitting areas you’ll find clusters of chairs and tables with local art on the walls, while the other one is more Moroccan in style with low tables and cushions to recline on. In the back, there is a long dance floor with a stage for early evening concerts (tickets are required for some concerts, prices average around 8 euros).

As the night goes on, a DJ sets up and the place turns into a dance club. The atmosphere changes nightly depending on the DJ or bands and the fresh mint reappears in their acclaimed mojito.

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Café La Palma | Bars, Music | Mojito € 8.00
Calle La Palma 62 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34915225031
Daily 16:00 – 03:00

It is just a great place where you can find different kind of people. Actually it is quite eclectic,  great for weekends, you can spend hours in the terrace (even in winter!) reading the newspaper enjoying breakfast until 17:00 if you find a table because it is usually quite crowded!

There are concerts the last Thursdays of every month and DJ’s sessions the first Sundays of the month. Sometimes there are photo exhibits as well as paintings exhibits.

The food is correct and drinks are good and the cocktails are great. You can have the typical “pomada” of the Balearic Islands (popular drink made out of gin and lemon), but also “mojito” or caipirinha.

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Café Mahón | Bars, Music, Snacks | Meal € 15.00
Plaza Dos de Mayo, 4 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34915324756
Mon – Thu 12:00 – 01:30, Fri – Sun 12:00 – 03:00

Located across from the post office in Plaza de Cibeles, Casa America is also a beautiful and majestic building, encompassing an old palace, a restaurant, film and lecture theatres and exhibition space.

Their main goal is to share American culture (both South and North) with Spain. There is always something going on, be it a photography exhibition from Mexico, an independent film from the US or a singer from Argentina.

There are tours of the old palace that must be reserved ahead of time (€ 7.00) and a film and concert schedule with small to big acts. Concert and film prices vary depending on the gig, but exhibitions are free.

The entrance is on the backside of the building (walk up Castellana).

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Casa America | Art & culture, Bars, Cinemas, Coffee & tea, Music | Free
Plaza de la Cibeles, 2 | Gran Via & Princesa | +34915954800
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 20:00, Sun 11:00 – 15:00

Chapandaz is a famous pub/bar in Madrid that has been open for many years. When you get to this original place, you find out that you seem to be in a big and warm cave. It is safe to say that the decoration is amazing and you feel really comfortable. You can listen to good and soft music.

Here you can choose a lot of drinks, from a simple beer to Chapandaz’ most well-known drink, called ‘Leche de Pantera’ with rum, milk, cinnamon and secret ingredients. Also you can order for this drink in many sizes!

For short, we can say that Chapandaz is the ideal place to go with your friends after a dinner to start the night.

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Chapandaz | Bars, Music
Calle Fernando el Católico 77 | Moncloa & Arguelles | +34915492968
22:00 – 03:30 daily

Living up to every jazz club’s expectations, El Junco starts late and keeps things very laid back.

The smoky atmosphere is packed full of musicians, students and other cool-looking people. It’s jazz, man. Saturday nights are purely DJs; Sunday nights are reserved for the blues, appropriately so for those of us who have to work on Mondays; while Tuesday nights are jam sessions for local musicians.

Between sets DJs spin jazzy beats – sometimes more funky, sometimes more electronic, but the live shows will have you tapping your feet, snapping your fingers and possibly scatting if you’ve had enough drinks.

Entrance is free except Friday and Saturday after 01:30, but it can fill up fast depending on the night. Check the website for the monthly line up of events.

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El Junco | Art & culture, Bars, Music | Fancy drink € 8.00
Plaza Santa Bárbara 10 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34913192081
23:00 – 06:00 daily

It has everything. This Irish Pub is different from the others you will find in Madrid. Obviously it has – like the others – a pool table and a big plasma screen to watch the matches. But there is much more.

After entering the pub you will believe that you have been moved to a cosy street in a lost village in Ireland. It’s always decorated matching the period of the year (you must go during Christmas and Halloween, you will be surprised!). Its stone floor and the streetlamp welcome you.

If you want to feel at home you must go upstairs and get into the room where you will find a chimney; sit down on one of the large rocking chairs and enjoy a cup of coffee or have a delicious dinner.

If you can, don’t miss the opportunity to listen to some live music. You won’t regret it!

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Irish Rover | Bars, Music, Relaxing | Cocktails € 7.00
Avenida de Brasil 7 | Castellana | +34915974811
Mon – Thu 12:00 – 03:00, Fri – Sun 12:00 – 05:00

This retro style pub (even kitsch with pieces of leopard patterned in some walls) is almost hidden in a street close to Gran Via. It has a long wooden bar in a narrow space just at the entrance. But at the back you find a cosy lounge with little tables and comfortable stools.

It’s a really nice place to take a cocktail and chat with friends, among other reasons, because the music are enough low and the lights of the old-fashioned lamps are faint and warm. The clients are cool people in their thirties, mainly.

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Jose Alfredo | Bars, Music | Beer € 3.00
Silva 22 | Gran Via & Princesa | +34915214960
Mon – Sat 18:00 – 02:30, Sun 20:30 – 02:30

Whoever says there’s no place in Madrid where they play real Blues music, doesn’t know “La Coquette”

This is a charming bar where you can find live Blues concerts many days of the week; however for its dimensions it will seems impossible to you to believe that concerts can take place; but they do! And the concerts are very different from the others you can find anywhere.

This bar is the kind that you will call “divebar”. A door, a stairs that goes down and a sort of grotto where there are a bar and three connecting caves. In the first cave there’s the bar, in the second cave there’s little tables and the stage and in the third cave there’s stools and a side view of the stage.

As I said, this place is very charming. And every night is crowded!

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La Coquette | Bars, Music
Calle de las Hileras 14 | Sol | +34915308095
20:00 – 02:30 daily

The first time I entered in La Flauta Mágica, it seamed to me some kind of antique, old-fashioned English pub, both the interior decoration when dominate the mirrors and dark green colours and the clients. But now, I really enjoy this pub.

I think is pleasant, close, and entertaining for all the activities that take place along the week. Story tellers, concerts, Mus (very popular Spanish card game) championships…

The pub is divided in two parts. First, the long bar and then, the dark space for seating for a drink, where you can enjoy performances. The performance area can be altered to the needs of artists, by for example adding a piano.

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La Flauta Mágica | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea, Music | Beer € 3.00
Alcántara 49 | Salamanca Area | +34914012896
18:00 – 03:00 daily

This place has a very special decoration. It’s all about the ocean and it has pictures from sailing ships. “La Sultana” is the name of a ship that the establishment’s owners have.

This is a suitable place if you want to spend the night with friends enjoying and chatting with good music and a charming environment. It has a young atmosphere. Especially the days when there’s a football match it gets very crowded.

It has a pizzeria integrated inside, a perfect opportunity to have dinner with friends and taste their delightful ‘nachos’ & ‘pizzas’. Their prices are reasonable.

It stands out, above all, for its rum list; they have more than 20 types of different rum cocktails. You must taste them!

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La Sultana | Bars, Music | Cocktail € 5.00
Calle Melendez Valdes 51 | Moncloa & Arguelles | +34915438181
13:00 – 03:00 daily

Just the place to go to have great cocktails and cool music! You can find many different kinds of people, from Cirque du Soleil actors to writers.

You can grab a bite while listening how the DJ Jaimote puts a record on… The “croquetas” are really yummy.

The place is great to have an after work or after diner drink, especially a mojito or a glass of champagne, and to enjoy a relaxing conversation with good music.

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La Turba | Bars, Music, Snacks | Cocktails € 10.00
C/ del Conde de Xiquena, 3 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34915221813
Mon – Thu 16:00 – 01:30, Fri – Sat 16:00 – 02:00

Known as one of director Almodovar’s favorite hang outs in the 80s, this bar has staying power like no other – “la via lactea” means “the milky way” and it is way out there.

The two floors are packed with punk rock posters and classic 1950s images like RinTinTin and pinup girls. The DJs follow suit with a range of early rock to modern alternative rock – think Buddy Holly, Stevie Wonder, Nirvana and Spoon. Somehow it works, drawing a mixed crowd of young and old hipsters.

From 21:00 to midnight there are a few definites with the musical selection: Wednesdays are specifically geared towards rockabilly, Thursdays are disco and weekends are “profilactea” – a mix of all things cool.

I especially dig the place on the weekends because they open the upstairs for smokers and the downstairs for nonsmokers (not strictly enforced unfortunately).

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La Via Lactea | Bars, Music | Bottled beer € 3.50
C/ Velarde 18 | Chueca & Malasaña
Summer 22:00 – 03:30 daily | Winter Mon – Fri 18:00 – 03:00, Sat – Sun 20:00 – 03:00

More than just a cafe, this old staple of Madrid is a music and poetry venue. Almost every famous songwriter, musician, and poet has passed through this decadent and charming hangout.

It´s actually one of my favourites because every time I go, it reminds me all its history. The building started as a cow house, then it changed into a wine house and used to be the place where Journalists and writers gathered.

From 1975, it is a cafe. It has an “L” shape so when you first enter there´s a bar and, if you walk further, you´ll find a small stage for the shows. On this stage there is still a real “pianola” dated from the beginning of the last century. And it works!

Most of the very popular Spanish singer-songwriters as Pedro Guerra, Rosana, Tontxu or Kiko Tovar started here. Nowadays, it´s a very well known cafe in Spain and Latin America. Not only that: right now you can enjoy storytelling for adults, photography and painting exhibitions or poetry reading, as the selection varies depending on the day. Its owner, Ricardo del Olmo, is promoting new talents and wants to consider this place as a cultural reference. I think he´s doing a great job!

Café Libertad 8 is located close to a lot of bars, in the Chueca district, so it could be the beginning of a long night out in the city! Enjoy!

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Libertad 8 | Art & culture, Bars, Music
C/ Libertad 8 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34915321150
Mon – Fri 17:00 – 02:30, Sat 18:00 – 03:00, Sun 15:00 – 00:30

Breakfasts, meals, snacks, dinner, dance…… you can almost spend the day at Lolina’s….just in front of Home Burger (see this article).

The place has WIFI and you can spend hours surfing the net with a great cup of a wide variety of teas and an AMAZING cheesecake…. You are allowed to take your dog, which is not very common in Madrid (the city is not very dog friendly!). The place is decorated with vintage furniture and it is very cosy. You have also WIFI.

Downstairs you can celebrate the “guateques” (common Spanish word for a 60s and 70s party).

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Lolina | Bars, Music | Breakfast € 4.00
C/ Espíritu Santo, 9 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34667201169
Mon – Fri 09:00 – 01:00, Sat: 10:00 – 02:00

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

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, smokey 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

This is the right place for your weekend night fever… Magic and fun in insured.

Thirty years opened in  Madrid´s nights, one of the downtown ‘must’. Disco, Djs´ sessions, live concerts…

Since the beginning this lounge and concert hall has had its own personality and always trying to have the best  alternative bands playing for their  audience.

Now there is an Anti-Karaoke Night, a sort of mad Wednesday night, full of rock, underground and show music, directed by Rachel Arieff a great master of the Madrid show-business.

You will find a large queue but it will be worthwhile. The entrance is only € 7.00 and the average drink is €5.00.

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Sala El Sol | Bars, Music | Ticket entrance € 9.00
Calle de los Jardines 3 | Sol | +34915326490
Tue – Sat 00:00 – 05:30

Savoy is an original and special place: it is divided in two!

When you get into it you find the Bar Zone, a spacious room with a large bar in the middle of the lounge. It is very comfortable because of the faint light and the music that is not too loud. There is also a dartboard you can play with.

The Disco Zone is inside, crossing the corridor. There is a bar (more little than the other one), a dance floor in the middle and a couple of sofas at the back of the room. It is not very large but you can dance perfectly. The atmosphere of this room seems to be like an ancient house, with its big drapes, columns, chimney, mirrors… very charming!

And the most curious thing: on Wednesday you can learn to dance Salsa! Don’t you want to try it?

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Savoy | Bars, Music | Beer € 5.00
Calle Melendez Valdés 28 | Moncloa & Arguelles | +34914444162
22:00 – 02:00 daily

Tempo brings in some of the best soul, hip-hop and funky sounds to Madrid. The stylish upstairs lounge is great for hanging out with your friends while sipping a mojito. But before you get too relaxed, be sure to see who the DJ or group is that is playing downstairs. When you’re ready, descend into the dark and vibrant dance room and get ready to groove until the early hours of the morning.

I’ve caught several inspiring African groups that really got the crowd moving as well as DJs from around the world that bring a variety of beats for our pleasure. Entrance prices for downstairs range from 6 to 15€, while midweek happy hour has 2×1 drinks from 23:00 to 00:00.

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Tempo Club | Bars, Music, Relaxing | Weekend mojito € 8
Duque de Osuna 8 | Gran Via & Princesa | +34915477518
Lounge Fri – Sat 18:00 – 03:30, Sun – Thu 18:00 – 03:00
Dance Fri – Sat 23:00 – 06:00, Wed – Thu 23:00 – 05:30