Page 330 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain
P. 330
328 TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS
Nightlife
Madrid’s reputation as the city that never sleeps persists, The “basements of Argüelles”
despite political measures for earlier closing times. In fact, are huge doublestoreyed
people from Madrid are known as gatos (cats) around Spain patios with several bars and
because of their nocturnal habits. The best nightlife is concen disco theques. The atmosphere
is fresh and young.
trated around specific districts, each with its own unique Another popular district is
atmosphere and a wealth of places for people to get down Moncloa, which has a more
to one of Madrid’s best talents: la marcha (partying). Things mature crowd, as well as several
hot up first in the Huertas area, moving on to Malasaña, Bilbao, places where you can listen to
Lavapiés and Chueca into the early hours of the morning. local Spanish pop and dance
tunes, such as nightclub Lasal,
You don’t need to go to a club for dancing as madrileños also which is also a venue for concerts.
dance to DJs and live music in smaller clubs, called pubs –
all sorts of musical tastes are catered to more than amply Chueca
(see p326). Expect to find places crowded from Thursday to
Sunday. Also prepare for late nights because things don’t get The Chueca district dominates
going for gatos until midnight. Madrid’s gay scene. As well as
having a large resident gay
community, there are plenty
Santa Ana and Huertas
Friday and Saturday nights, taking of trendy latenight bars and
With many tapas bars, cafés the straight/gay mix of clubbers clubs where gays and nongays
and terraces, the Huertas area through to 6am the next day. party together. In fact, what
is the perfect place to begin sets Chueca apart from other
preparing for the wild night Alonso Martínez gay neighbourhoods in the
ahead. The atmosphere is made world is the mezcla, the
by the crowd, which is a heady and Bilbao tolerant gay/straight mix.
amalgam of ages, looks and This is one of the city’s most The heart of the area is the
origins. If you want to stay in animated areas. You will find Plaza de Chueca, packed with
one area, this is a good choice. hundreds of great haunts that crowds visiting the terraces
There are several little bars play music ranging from in the summer. Close by are
overlooking the lively Plaza de R&B to Spanish pop. mixed bars such as Acuarela,
Santa Ana. Pop into any one of To begin with, try some of the with its camp, religiousartifact
them to begin the night. Viva local bars around Plaza de Santa decor. The Gay Pride Week in
Madrid attracts a viva cious Bárbara, such as the Cervecería late June or July focuses around
crowd of locals and foreigners. Santa Bárbara, the perfect place this area, though there are also
Cardamomo, a famous club, to start the night with a caña plenty of wellestablished gay
is a mandatory stop for any (beer). Later on (if you can get bars elsewhere in the city.
bar crawl. There is live flamenco past the queues), try the glamo
at least once a week. rous club Alegoría, with its
For latenight dancing, try eclectic decor and pop music, Malasaña
the house DJs at Joy Madrid where you can dance until late Malasaña was the centre of
Discoteque. Near Atocha, you with the beautiful people, or la movida in the Madrid of
will find the spectacular seven El Junco, a dance and concert the 1980s (see p309), and still
floor Kapital, which features venue with the best jazz, funk has an alternative flavour that
every kind of music, and a and soul music in the capital. attracts many young bohemian
rooftop bar that allows drinkers Alternatively, you can head for types. The hub of this cosmo
to gaze at the starlit sky. Sol y Teatro Barceló, formerly known politan district is the Dos de
Sombra is a posh nightclub, so as Pacha, one of Madrid’s most Mayo square, where you can
dress to impress the bouncers, famous disco theques. There are have a caña on the terrace of
and you can get your groove also plenty of livemusic venues the El 2D bar. However, the
on to live soul and R&B. around, such as Clamores, one characteristic atmosphere of
It is a local tradition to end of Madrid’s many temples of the area is changing rapidly into
the night with hot chocolate jazz music. However, note that a more designdriven space.
and churros (dough sticks) in areas such as Huertas are more Some examples are the La
one of the cafés around Plaza active during weekdays. Huida, El Circo de las Tapas
del Sol. The Chocolatería San and Kike Keller bars, which
Ginés is a great place for choco have cultivated a revolutionary,
late gorging: it’s open 24 hours. Argüelles and Moncloa arty atmosphere. Bar & Co is
If the chocolate fix leaves you This area is a favourite haunt of a typical Malasaña venue, where
buzzing, check out students, thanks to its prox imity local bands play weekly. You
Independance Club, which to the halls of residence of one can relax there after 3am if
plays indie and pop rock on of Madrid’s major universities. you don’t feel like clubbing.
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