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Thu / Mar 4
Ask anyone else on the continent who parties the latest and with the most frequency, and he or she will undoubtedly say it’s the Spanish – in fact, in this European capital city, nightlife is the way of life.
Unlike in other cities, the real crowds usually don’t show up at Madrid’s discos before 3am, but the city offers plenty of other things to do, restaurants to eat at, live music to soak in, and events to celebrate to keep revelers busy until club time.
In addition, there is a dizzying array of bars, lounges, and street parties that allow Madrileños and tourists alike to party no matter what time of day.
Those who want to fully immerse themselves in this nocturnal culture, though, should be prepared to stay up past sunrise, sleep late, and then enjoy a much-needed midday siesta to store up energy for another night on the town.
Sports? Pub crawls? Rowdy bars? Good beer? Then check out these suggestions from Lucas:
Exclusive hotspots? Chic crowds? Bottle service? Posh shopping? Then check out these suggestions from Adriana:
Eclectic crowds? Authentic bars? Live music? Nothing mainstream? Then check out these suggestions from Jonah:
Amazing drink deals? Unpretentious crowds? Karaoke with friends? Dancing all night? Then check out these suggestions from Emma:
Reputed to be the very center of Spain, Sol’s position within easy walking distance of major attractions like the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum definitely make it the cultural center of Madrid.
Virtually all aspects of the madrileño life can be enjoyed in this area, from simple tapas and great art to passionate performances of traditional flamenco music and centuries-old subterranean cueva bars.
Although Sol clearly caters to the hordes of tourists
... read full Sol (El Centro) descriptionReputed to be the very center of Spain, Sol’s position within easy walking distance of major attractions like the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum definitely make it the cultural center of Madrid.
Virtually all aspects of the madrileño life can be enjoyed in this area, from simple tapas and great art to passionate performances of traditional flamenco music and centuries-old subterranean cueva bars.
Although Sol clearly caters to the hordes of tourists
... read full Sol (El Centro) descriptionWith its grid of streets packed with bars, live music venues, and alternative shops of every kind – all centered around the picturesque Plaza del Dos de Mayo – the neighborhood of Malasaña is home to one of the hottest and surprisingly most affordable nightlife scenes in Europe.
The area inherits its fame from La Movida, the cultural explosion of art, music, and sexuality that was unleashed in the late 70s and early 80s after decades of oppression under
... read full Malasaña / Chueca descriptionJust north of the center of Madrid and near the enormous Complutense University are the more modern neighborhoods of Argüelles and Bilbao.
Although it’s not typically thought of as a hotbed of activity, the area is actually quite rich and provides plenty to see and do, including art galleries, top-notch restaurants, and the pristine Parque Oeste.
From the squeaky-clean, tree-lined streets to the exceptional shopping on main avenues like Calle Princesa
... read full Argüelles / Bilbao descriptionLocated on the southern edge of historical Madrid just a few blocks from the Royal Palace, La Latina and neighboring Lavapiés are easily some of the most authentic and traditional neighborhoods in the city.
The medieval walls and cobblestone streets form a charming labyrinth that confuses even lifelong residents – but of course, getting lost in La Latina is part of the fun. The area contains a maze of narrow, winding streets that lead to dark and noisy
... read full La Latina / Lavapiés descriptionA hangout of mainly madrileños and other Spaniards, the north of Madrid – whose main neighborhood is Nuevos Ministerios – is not quite as well known to the city’s international population and offers a different perspective on Spanish nightlife that attracts a glamorous and well-dressed clientele.
In this relatively new part of the capital, the cobblestone streets and historical architecture of the center give way to gleaming office buildings and
... read full North / Nuevos Ministerios description