Best bars and clubs in Malasaña, Madrid

Following on from our post about Huertas, here’s our guide to Madrid’s other great nightlife spot, Malasaña.

Madrid’s nightlife is legendary, but most travel guides will only tell you about the big megaclubs such as Pacha, Kapital and Joy Esclava. While popular, you’re likely to a) pay far too much for entrance and drinks b) dance to the same music you could find in any other big club in the world and c) meet only other tourists there. Madrid’s real nightlife is characterised by its tiny clubs and bars, all unique in their own way.

The area is named after Manuela Malasaña, a local 15-year old seamstress who was killed in the Spanish War of Independence for carrying a weapon – a pair of scissors. It’s characterised by its fantastic architecture – tall narrow buildings painted in uniform colours with French balconies. It’s definitely worth a wander round during the day, when the area takes on a completely different character and the quirky shops and bookstores are open.

But the nightlife is what the area is really famous for, beginning with the famous movida madrilena cultural movement in the 70s and 80s. With its punky, hedonistic aesthetic, this is where the talents of Spanish icons such as Pedro Almodóvar and Ágatha Ruíz de la Prada were nurtured. If you really want to experience Madrid nightlife, Malasaña is unmissable. Clubs start opening around 10 or 11, starting to liven up well after midnight. Here’s our guide to a few of the best places where the locals go when they ir de marcha.

La Vía Lactea
C/ Velarde, 18 Nearest metro: Tribunal
Meaning ‘The Milky Way, this famous former hangout of Pedro Almodóvar is a Madrid institution. Come here for a chilled out game of pool, some 50s tunes and highly knowledgeable bartenders. Visitors not used to Spain’s relaxed attitude towards indoor smoking will be pleased to learn that the ground floor is smoke free, though this is less strictly observed at weekends.

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Tupperware
Corredera Alta De San Pablo, 26 Nearest metro: Tribunal
You want quirky? Tupperware delivers quirkiness by the bucketload, from the microwaves filled with Barbie dolls behind the bar, the giant eyeballs in the ceiling to the eclectic choice of films projected on the wall – anything from an old episode of Jools Holland to Grease. The music is fun and unpretentious and tends to favour 90s Britpop, guaranteed to get you singing and dancing along.

El Perro de la Parte de Atrás del Coche
C/ de la Puebla, 15 Nearest metro: Callao
El what-now? The ultra-long name translates to ‘The dog in the back of the car’ ie a nodding dog, but mostly goes by ‘El Perro’. This bar consists of two rooms, a quieter bar in front and a cave like dancehall in the back with some of the best live music and most innovative djs – a particularly memorable experience being when the music stopped and ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ suddenly blared out, complete with red flashing lights. Some complain at the 10 euro cover charge but it does include a drink, and is still a great deal cheaper than the mega clubs.

Bar&Co
C/ del Barco, 34 Nearest metro: Tribunal

One of the best live music venues in Madrid, you’ll find queues snaking around the block after 3am for this late-opening bar. There’s a great selection of jazz, Latin, funk, rock or blues, plus a jazz jam session on Sundays. A real local favourite which is not to be missed.

Ave Fenix
C/ Manuela Malasana, 20 Nearest metro: San Bernardo
A more sophisticated venue to the north of the area, this trendy bar boasts a fantastic décor and uber cool vibe. Many bars in Madrid boast of serving the best mojito in the city – most are wrong, and the Ave Fenix version blows them out of the water in addition to their other delicious cocktails. There’s latin style music, plus downstairs there’s space to dance if you feel like showing off your flamenco skills.

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La Fabula
C/ de Ruiz, 20 Nearest metro: Bilbao
The eccentricity of this gorgeous lounge bar with its Indian tables, Mexican furniture and Galician tapas is only added to by the crystal Tiffany chandeliers. The tapas is cheap, but it also boasts some fantastic cocktails and a huge range of wines.