Villa Rosa Flamenco Bar / Spanish Restaurant

Sol (El Centro), Madrid –

Villa Rosa, an elegant yet hopping flamenco club on a corner of Plaza de Santa Ana, offers a break from the modern, ultra-flashy nightclubs of Madrid.

A massive chocolate- and vanilla-hued mural of a bygone era graces the façade of the building and hints at the nostalgic interior to come as patrons step into a warmly lit foyer decorated with drawn, rust-colored drapes and a little antique sofa upholstered in crimson velvet.

But no one goes to here to sit and admire the furnishings, as evidenced by the expansive dance floor and elevated stage located just past a series of engraved Moorish arches. There, the 19th-century lighting fixtures and beautiful tiled walls depicting street scenes of old Madrid combine with spinning lights and disco balls to create a delightful mix of traditional and modern.

The overall result is a congenial and welcoming atmosphere that attracts a young international clientele that gathers to dance all night or just watch the stunning flamenco performances that usually take place earlier in the evening.

Villa Rosa only gets more packed and frenetic once the pros leave the stage and happy revelers crowd the bar or congregate outside for a breath of air.