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Madrid Nighlife
Madrid is noted for its nightlife (or la marcha) and night clubs. In fact, there are many people who say that Madrid were Europe's capital of Night Life. On weekends, Madrilenian youth are famous for dancing all night long, stopping only to have some chocolate y churros at dawn, go home, take a shower, shave (or not), and go to work. This fresh movement was called la movida and it initially gathered around Plaza del Dos de Mayo (Malasaña area). It has been said that Madrileños rarely sleep, largely because they spend so much time in bars; not drunk, but socializing in the easy, sophisticated way that's unique to this city.
Nightlife and young cultural awakening flourished in Madrid and, in general, in all Spain after the death of Franco, especially during the 80s while Enrique Tierno Galván was Madrid's mayor. Because dinner is served late in Spain, nightlife doesn't really get under way until after 11pm, and it generally lasts until around 3 or 4 am. Traffic jams in the small hours and office workers heading straight to work from the clubs justifies the madrileños’ reputation as party friends; despite municipal meddling and earlier closing times. Another "night point" in Madrid is the gay district of Chueca, where tattoo studios and street-chic boutiques break up the endless alleys of gay and lesbian bars, techno discos, and after-hours clubs. Chueca is not only for gay people but also for straights looking for fun in their crowded clubs and popular discos.
There are several zones when nightlife is shining and exciting such as Alonso Martinez and Bilbao, Plaza Mayor/Puerta del Sol, Santa Ana and Huertas, the Gran Vía (which contains mainly cinemas and theaters), Plaza de Isabel II/Plaza de Oriente (where is located the famous Café de Oriente), Argüelles & Moncloa (frequented by University students and a younger crowd) and Chueca (which is the gay nightlife district, with dozens of clubs).
Some of the most important and amazing places, in Madrid and its surroundings, where you can have a great time dancing, drinking and meeting people are:
- Viva Madrid (C/Manuel Fernández y González 7, 91 429 36 40) and Los Gabrieles (C/Echegaray 17, 91 429 62 61)
- For a younger, funkier atmosphere, Malasaña has it all, from cineaste’s delight Pepe Botella (C/San Andrés 12, 91 522 43 09) to the Iberian Friends set that is La Ida (C/Colón 11, 91 522 91 07, closed 1wk Aug).
- The monster seven-floor Kapital (C/Atocha 125, 91 420 2906, closed Mon-Wed), with every kind of music and a rooftop bar for gazing at the stars
- For traditional flamenco performances, Casa Patas (C/Cañizares 10, Lavapiés, 91 369 04 96, closed Sun) is a highly prized, if pricey, establishment.
- Chueca is the centre of Madrid’s gay scene, but it’s also the place to be for the determinedly hip. Though its hub is the Plaza de Chueca, itself thronging with terrazas in summer, close by are mixed bars such as Stars Café (C/Marqués de Valdeiglesias 5, 91 522 2712, closed Sun & 2wks Aug) or Liquid (C/Barquillo 8, 91 532 7428, closed Mon).
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