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

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 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 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.

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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

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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan López

This historical place, founded in 1917, is one of the most traditional bars in the city. Their specialties go from pickled anchovies to any type of preserved food; vinegars and delicious tapas. You can also try the best handmade vermut from Reus, the genuine specialty of the bar.

Antigua Casa Ángel Sierra is located in the heart of the gay neighborhood, just in the main square, so it is impossible to miss it.

Most probably, when you get there, there will be a lot of people standing outside. It is part of the tradition. The bar is so small that people prefer to stand in the pavement with their drinks and food over a chat.

At the beginning it could be a little shocking, as you would think this is the entrance of a concert or that something big is going on. I am just warning you!!

There are no seats available but I think this is part of the beauty of the venue. So get ready for tasting new flavours and traditional specialties for a good price.

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Antigua Casa Ángel Sierra | Bars | Double beer € 1.90
Gravina 11 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34915310126
12:30 – 01:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Nikko Hinderstein

Just off of busy Fuencarral, La Ardosa always has a pleasant jazzy atmosphere filled with typical Spanish scents.

The bar is packed with paraphernalia dating back to 1892 when it was founded – a picture of the owner’s family, famous people who have stopped in over the years, a board showing the results of their Guinness drinking contest (can you top 14 pints?!) and reprints of Goya’s “Caprichos” prints (silly, sometimes vulgar whimsical images). Check out this video of Chef Anthony Bourdain at La Ardosa!

They serve some of my favorite tapas; sliced ham from pigs who have only eaten acorns (Jamon de bellota), dried tuna (Mojama – tuna jerky!), and a thick version of gazpacho called Salmorejo. The “raciones” are big here, so you can ask for a “media-ración” instead of a full plate.

If the bar looks full from the street, push through the crowd, duck under the bar, and try the back room which is not accessible any other way.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Ardosa | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants (Tapas) | Salmorejo € 3.75
Calle Colon 13 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34915214979
08:30 – 02:30 daily, August 11:30 – 02:30 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Nikko Hinderstein

Taking a page from the success of the Mercado de San Miguel, this newly remodelled old market, el Mercado de San Anton, now has a traditional market on the ground floor, restaurant stands and shops on the middle floor, and a restaurant and lounging terrace on the top floor. There is also an art exhibition area, but the real plus is the variety of food: you can get anything from mini burgers (offered in a range of different meats – try the “buey” – ox meat!) to sushi, enjoy a tea on the terrace, or shop for fresh produce or meat. It’s a lovely feeling to see everything displayed with so much colour and freshness.

The restaurant gets overwhelmed at lunchtime on the weekends, so you might want to grab a bite from the second level and enjoy it on the terrace. We enjoyed some tapas from La Casa de Bacaloa stand, but those mini burgers keep calling me back!

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El Mercado de San Anton | Bars, Coffee & tea, Shopping, Restaurants (Intern.) | Mini burger € 2.00
Augusto Figueroa 24 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34913300730
Market Mon – Sat 10:00 – 22:00 | Shops, restaurant 10:00 – 00:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Bristol Bar

Bristol Bar is probably the most British of all the bars in Madrid. It’s part brasserie, part English pub. It’s informal, but smart and warm.

The main attraction might be the extensive gin menu. It includes more than sixty different gins for gin tonic lovers. I recommend it more for having a drink than for eating, but they have dishes like English soup of the day, roast beef, fish and chips or bread & butter pudding.

On Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays, the clients can enjoy an English brunch. All other days, there is a lunch menu for 11,90 Euros. Tea in the afternoon, the first drink of the night… it’s open almost all day and night. There are many activities in Bristol bar, like thematic dinners, concerts, wine tastings and so on.

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Bristol Bar | Bars, Restaurants (British) | Medium ticket € 35
Almirante 20 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34915224568
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 01:00, Sat 11:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid