Madrid, a city of 3.3 million inhabitants, has ample amounts of every type of bar found in Spain. People from all over the Iberian peninsula have settled here in the Spanish capital and some of them have opened up bars from their home regions. There’s a reason why Ernest Hemingway called Madrid, “the most Spanish of all cities.”
We’re not going to cover every type of bar in Madrid. But below, we’ll feature the best bars in Madrid, both traditional and cocktail—ensuring you’ll have a great drink in an oh-so Madrid atmosphere.
Best traditional bars in Madrid
Bodega de la Ardosa
Since 1892, this tile-clad bar in Chueca has been serving excellent beer to go along with its better-than-average tortilla de patata. Another reason to go here: La Ardosa is one of the only bars in Madrid that serves the excellent Czech brew, Pilsner Urquell, on tap. And they pour it very well here.
There are two rooms at La Ardosa and, amusingly, to get from one to the other, patrons have to duck or squat-walk under the bar. It’s especially fun after a few cervezas.
El Cantábrico
Set in the handsome Salamanca neighborhood, El Cantábrico has been properly pouring draft beers and serving up scrumptious seafood since 1948. Sip a beer or a glass of white wine while taking in the attractive blue-and-white-tiled walls. When the stomach rumbles, you can graze on anchovies in vinegar or grilled shrimp.
The bar was opened by Dionisio Amorós, who named it after his wife—a born and bred local from Santander in Cantabria. Today, their grandchildren are running the place.
Traveler’s tip: While out trying the best cocktails, make sure you mix it up by stopping by a traditional Spanish tavern. Check out our recommendations for the Best Taverns in Madrid.
La Venencia
If you want to get a sense of what Madrid was like in, say, the 1930s, head to La Venencia, a dimly lit space in Barrio de las Letras. It was here during the Spanish Civil War that Republicans (who were fighting the Fascists) would congregate to sip sherry and talk about the happenings in the war.
The bar, which mostly serves sherry, has a few rules, as noted by a sign on the wall: no spitting, no photos, and absolutely no tipping. The Republican loyalists who frequented the place in the 1930s considered themselves as equals. Hence, the no tipping rule. But here’s a tip: spend an hour or so here and soak up the atmosphere. You won’t regret it.
Bodegas Alfaro
Between Lavapies and Atocha, Bodegas Alfaro has been serving up extra-frosty beer to satisfied locals for a few generations. Don’t be put off by the sometimes gruff staff. When you get hungry or need something in the belly to prolong an evening of swilling beer and/or vermouth, look to the chalkboard for that day’s tapas specials.
La Bodeguita
This bar, located in Prosperidad, is a very authentic neighborhood bar. If you’re in the northeastern section of the city, La Bodeguita is a fun place to spend a few hours to get a glance inside a real Madrid neighborhood bar.
Essentially a fútbol bar, no-frills La Bodeguita serves ice-cold beer on tap and gives hearty tapas with every order. You can spend a while studying the dozens upon dozens of fútbol scarves from around Europe hanging on the walls. The bar is on the corner of Pasaje de Pradillo and Calle de Anastasio Aroca (just off of Calle de Clara del Rey)—about a 5-minute walk from the Avenida de America metro station.
Best cocktail bars in Madrid
Salmon Guru
Madrid’s only entry on the World’s Top 50 Bars list, Salmon Guru is worth every euro spent and every sip. Cozy up to the bar in the aquarium-themed bar room and peruse the menu of avant-garde cocktails.
There’s also a fantastic and eccentric food menu on offer at Salmon Guru. Think tempura prawns wading in a tangy salsa verde, duck yakitori, and Chinese pork belly and caramelized popcorn wrapped in a blue corn Mexican tortilla. The bar opens at 6pm and they don’t take reservations.
Bar Cock
A block off of Gran Via in an alleyway, Bar Cock is a century-old, high-ceilinged bar space and oozes with atmospheric charm. The drinks here are not going to blow your mind, but the ambiance will, making it worth a stop. The bar is also referred to locally as El Cock and El Gallo de Oro (aka “The Golden Cock”).
Bad Company 1920
Bad Company 1920 is located in the Malasaña district. That is, if you can find it. The speakeasy-style bar channels the vibe of the city of Chicago during Prohibition. To get in, you need the password, or contraseña, located on the bar’s Instagram account.
The intriguing concept at Bad Company 1920 is that the skilled bartenders here only make drinks using ingredients that were accessible to Chicago in the 1920s. Of course, everything is made with modern flair. Just remember: you’re stepping back in time to a century ago when alcohol was illegal in the United States, so keep everything clandestine.
1862 Dry Bar
The year 1862 is an historic year in cocktail history: it was the year when Jerry Thomas published the very first cocktail book. And so cocktail guru Alberto Martinez has opened up 1862 Dry Bar in Malasaña, an homage to the classic libations of yesteryear, plus a curated list of signature drinks too.
A note on bars in Spain
The word “bar” has many different meanings in Spain. If someone says, “Let’s go to a bar,” it could mean a tapas bar, a cocktail bar, a rooftop bar, a beer bar, a neighborhood bar, or even a place in which to get a coffee.
The different bars in Madrid will keep you busy for weeks. Pick your bar of choice and keep exploring the city:
Whatever type of beer, wine, or cocktails you crave, Madrid has you covered. We love the easy-going style of some of Madrid’s old taverns, but the modern cocktail scene is always evolving. If you’d like to get a taste of Madrid’s best bites and beverages, check out our Madrid Tapas, Taverns & History Tour. Led by knowledgeable locals, both tours offer exciting and delicious insight into Madrid’s long history as a culinary gem.