Image by Teresa Juan López

As in Spain lots of people just download films and they hardly ever go to the cinema, today I would like to recommend Septimo, a very cool video club where you will find almost everything.

In Septimo there are more than 10.000 films (some of them authentic pieces of collectionists) and they offer you all kinds of advantages and discounts.

There is the posibility of renting on line or even receiving and delivering the films at home or at your office. Notice that there is more than one shop in Madrid. And you can exchange the films every time you want in any of the shops.

I recommend you to buy a voucher so you will get more discounts. Then, just enjoy the movie!!!

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Septimo | Shopping | 10 credits € 35
Calle Hortaleza 69 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34913103851
10:00 – 00:00 daily

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!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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

Image by J&J Books and Coffee

Madrid’s best second-hand English bookstore also has beer, coffee, quiz nights, snacks and great company.

J&J Books and Coffee is a well-known local haven for expats to collapse into friendly English conversations (Spanish is also spoken!) and to buy second-hand books. Wednesday and Thursday nights are “intercambio” nights to chat alternatively in Spanish and English, while Friday night turns into the rowdiest collection of intellectuals competing at trivia.

During the day the upstairs bar ranges from mellow to lively for coffee drinkers and book perusers, while the downstairs is full of thousands of books.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
J&J Books and Coffee | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea, Shopping | Coffee € 1.25
Espiritu Santo, 47 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34915218576
Mon – Thu & Sat 11:00 – 00:00, Fri 11:00 – 02:00, Sun 16:00 – 22:00

Image by Jaime Sevilla

It’s hard nowadays to find cool, locally-made products, but the design team at Peseta constantly produces original, Madrid-made accessories and products. Their work is internationally noted as they’ve collaborated with designer Marc Jacobs since 2008 (see their sailor bag video!) and have done exchanges with the New Museum of NYC.

The sewn wallets have catchy names and hidden pockets, while the bags and backpacks (guy and girl friendly) are unique and express tons of character depending on the fabric used.

Every season they try out new ideas, like cloth bicycle hats, to keep things lively, but really, the excitement is inevitable with the limited-edition funky fabrics and styles.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Peseta | Shopping | Wallet € 12.00
Noviciado 9 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34915211404
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 20:30, Sat 10:00 – 15:00

Image by A. Collet

We though it was never going to open again, but it just has in the center of Chueca…..the “Mercado de San Antón” where you can shop for groceries get a bite to eat too. It is similar to the one in San Miguel Square (check the Mercado San Miguel article) but with a terrace and free parking!!

On the first floor you can buy organic food and various groceries, whereas the second and third ones are reserved to eat and grab a bite. It is nice to see they have taken sustainability seriously during the renovation, by adding solar panels.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
San Anton Market | Shopping, Snacks, Restaurants
Augusto Figueroa 24 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34913300299
10:00 – 00:00 daily