Madrid Nightlife: Places and Districts to Go Out in Madrid

  The Royal Cathedral at Night

As the capital of a country that really knows how to enjoy itself, Madrid has a lot to live up to. And it certainly doesn’t disappoint: Madrid may be one of the most vibrant cities to be found anywhere in the world, but it really comes alive at night.

Visitors are often left wide-eyed with admiration by the way Madrilenos go about their punishing nocturnal schedule. A late meal, or tapas-fuelled charge, leads on to a few chic bars and, finally, when most cities are starting to wind down, Madrid’s clubs begin to fill up.

Like many big cities, the nightlife in Madrid is broken up into a series of key areas, all offering something different. Locals specialize in long rambles from bar to bar, washing a couple of plates of tapas down with a few quick beers.

As the evening lengthens, Calle Huertas and the area surrounding the Plaza de Santa Ana are the best bet for the sheer quantity of bars. They’re also conveniently located slap-bang in the middle of town, not far from the (more touristy) Puerta del Sol.

To the north of the center, the neighborhood of Chueca is home to the city’s gay scene. It’s by no means exclusively gay, though, and streets such as Calle Hortaleza, Infantas, Barquillo and San Lucas are packed with all manner of bars and appealingly sleazy clubs.

In the summer, the ‘terrazas’ (terraces) to be found lining the streets of Paseo de Recoletas, Paseo de la Castellana and Paseo del Pintor Rosales are an enticing option. Backpackers on a tight budget should be careful, however, as they can be a little pricey.

For a cheaper night out, the bars in the districts of Lavapies, La Latina and Malasana are ideal. Wandering around many streets in the evenings, the air can be heavy with the smoke from dozens of joints and the atmosphere in the bars and small clubs is laidback.

Ultimately, Madrid is one of Europe’s biggest party destinations. From the subdued cafés and terraces perfect for a long Spanish evening to the wild hedonism of the avant-garde clubs and bars, the city courses with just one purpose – to have a seriously good time!

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