The Community of Madrid has approximately 6.5 million inhabitants and ranks third in the entire European Union. It is a city full of atmosphere and the capital’s nightlife is intriguing, trendy and inexhaustible. The city is known for having some of the best nightclubs in Spain, where you can dance until sunrise.
In this blog we will tell you which are the best places to go out and where the best nightlife in Madrid is. We will also tell you which are the best clubs, pubs, and quieter places to have a more relaxed dinner and have a few drinks with friends.
Madrid’s nightlife
If there is one thing that sets Madrid apart from other cities in Spain, it is its abundant nightlife. Apart from having plenty of tapas bars, pubs, clubs and nightclubs, it also has a great gastronomic culture that you should discover if you come to the Spanish capital.
Malasaña neighbourhood: cradle of the “movida madrileña”
The Malasaña neighbourhood is located near the Plaza de Dos de Mayo, which is known for being the birthplace of the Movida Madrileña in the 80s. It is an area full of young people, so you are guaranteed to enjoy yourself with your friends. It is one of the areas with the most pubs and bars, but also small discos where live music of all styles abounds.
Among the places you should visit if you go to Malasaña at night are La Via Láctea, one of the best known bars in the city, and famous for the extravagance of its interior, as the walls and ceilings are completely painted. The atmosphere is between 20 and 35 years old, and the prices are quite affordable. Also, we recommend you to go to Tupperware Club, a small club where music from the 60s and 70s predominates. The drinks are cheap and the place has several floors with different music on each floor.
Huertas Street
Calle Huertas is famous for having engraved on its cobblestones some of the most popular verses of 16th and 17th century literature, in honour of Miguel de Cervantes, Lope de Vega, or Francisco de Quevedo. This spirit of a ludic neighbourhood dominated by bars and taverns is still present today. This area is considered to be the centre of Madrid’s nightlife and is a fun place for young people and travellers, as it is full of people from all over the world.
Argüelles and Moncloa. Party for students
These two neighbourhoods are the most popular with students, as you can find plenty of bars and terraces where you can spend your evenings. The offer of pubs and bars in these areas are very different and varied, as you can find famous discos like Moon, and other bars known all over Madrid, like El Chapandaz, or also called “la cueva de la leche de pantera”.
La Latina: Tapas, pubs and restaurants
La Latina is a large area located in the centre of Madrid, which is lively at any time of the day, especially during the afternoons and evenings, when its terraces and tapas bars fill up with people. For music lovers, we recommend you to visit ContraClub, where you can enjoy live music. Also, another famous music venue is Shoko Madrid, a spacious two floors discotheque that is very popular for organising events. Other classics in Madrid that you cannot miss are El Viajero, Bonanno or Delic.
Princesa: A paradise for students
Princesa is undoubtedly the university area par excellence in Madrid, as it is home to the majority of colleges and student residences. For this reason, most of the nightclubs in this area are directed to younger audience, and where all kinds of music abound, such as the famous Sala Cats. However, there are also a large number of bars and terraces where you can have a beer, tapas or a drink with friends.
And, for those who prefer a quieter plan, but still want to enjoy a good atmosphere, there are places like the mexican La Malquerida or Casa Mono that you will like if you are looking for a good meal.
Chueca: LGTBI Friendly
Last but not least, we can’t fail to mention the Chueca neighbourhood, also known as the open neighbourhood. The capital’s nightlife has become famous all over the world, largely attributed to this neighbourhood, where you can find bars and nightclubs that organise great parties that welcome everyone. Long ago, the LGBTI community brought the nightlife culture here to life, making it a place where diversity and inclusion for all ages and preferences prevails.