La Vaca Austera

Malasaña / Chueca, Madrid –

Although there are still a handful of bars and clubs in Madrid that were at the forefront of the counter-culture upheaval of La Movida after the end of the Franco dictatorship, few of them have retained their edge and flair as well as La Vaca Austera.

Dark and mellow, the bar draws a clientele of colorful locals that keep the underground Spanish culture of thirty years ago alive and well.

Simple and functional, the venue consists of a front bar where friendly patrons chat all night with the laidback bartenders, as well as a lounge in the back with a pool table.

Décor is limited to cluttered shelves of liquor bottles and a large red-and-white cattle crossing sign – presumably a nod to the Austere Cow of the bar’s name – but no one seems to care as the customers La Vaca Austera are much more interested in conversation and alternative rock.