Top 10 Bars in Madrid

Last updated: October 2026

Madrid has one of Europe’s best bar scenes, and the best cocktail bars in Madrid sit alongside old tiled taverns where the drink of choice is vermouth or sherry. The city mixes grand Gran Vía institutions, small Malasaña speakeasies and neighbourhood bars that have barely changed in a century, so you can have a very different night out depending on which door you push open.

This guide covers 10 of the best bars in Madrid, with a practical box for each one: how to get there, how long to allow, the best time to go and one tip. Further down you will find the drinks to try, suggested bar routes, where to stay, getting around and budget guidance. The official Madrid tourism site is useful for checking current listings and events.

Opening days, queues and booking rules change, so check each bar’s current details before you go. Madrid drinks late, and most of these places come alive after nine in the evening. If you are planning a wider trip to Spain, our guide to the best places to visit in Barcelona covers the country’s other great city break.

Quick answer: What are the best bars in Madrid? For cocktails, start with Salmon Guru, Museo Chicote and 1862 Dry Bar. For history, Bar Cock, Del Diego and Viva Madrid are the classics. For something more local, try vermouth at Casa Camacho or Taberna Ángel Sierra, and sherry at La Venencia.

Quick list: bars in Madrid

1. Salmon Guru

Salmon Guru is the bar most visitors hear about first, and it earns the attention. Opened in 2016 by Argentine bartender Diego Cabrera, it is a lively, colourful bar on Calle de Echegaray in the Barrio de las Letras, and it marked its tenth anniversary in 2026.

The look is bold. The bar has several rooms with very different themes, from an underwater-style main room to a manga-inspired space, and the music is loud. The drinks are just as playful. Many of the cocktails are developed in the team’s own lab, and the menu mixes unusual ingredients with familiar spirits. The Old School Funny, an Iberian twist on a negroni, is one of the house signatures.

Seats are limited and the bar is popular, so it can be full at weekends. If you want to be sure of a table, check the Salmon Guru website for how to book, and arrive early if you are walking in. It is a good first stop for a night out, before you move on to quieter places nearby.

Because it is in the Barrio de las Letras, you can easily walk on to other bars nearby, which makes it a natural anchor for a night out in the centre of the city.

• How to get there: A short walk from Sevilla, Sol or Antón Martín metro stations.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Early evening, to get a seat before the crowds arrive.
• Tip: Ask the bartender to recommend a drink based on the spirit you usually like.

2. Museo Chicote

Museo Chicote is Madrid’s most famous cocktail bar and one of the oldest in Spain, opened on Gran Vía in 1931 by the legendary barman Perico Chicote. The art deco interior was designed by the architect Luis Gutiérrez Soto, and it is still recognisable today, with its curved bar, low lighting and glass cabinets.

The bar has a long link with the city’s social history. Writers, film stars and politicians have all passed through, and the name is tied up with the stories of 20th-century Madrid. That makes it as much a visit to a living museum as a night out, which is how it got its name.

The drinks are classic, with martinis, gin and tonics and long drinks all done properly. It is a good place to start the evening or to end it, especially if you want somewhere with a sense of occasion. The bar is on one of the city’s busiest streets, so it has a mix of locals and visitors.

The official Madrid tourism page for Museo Chicote has the address and a short history.

Its position on Gran Vía also makes it easy to find, and it is a reassuring choice if you are new to the city and want a reliable first cocktail before exploring further.

• How to get there: Gran Vía metro station is a short walk away.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Early evening, when you can get a seat and talk.
• Tip: Order a classic cocktail rather than something new, as that is what the bar does best.

3. Bar Cock

Bar Cock is a small, old-fashioned cocktail bar on Calle de la Reina, a minute’s walk from Gran Vía, and it dates back to 1921. It is tucked away behind the bigger names, which makes it feel like a secret even though it has been trading for more than a century.

The room is dark and intimate, with wood panelling, plush seating and low lights, and the bar leans towards proper classics such as martinis, negronis and gimlets. It does not chase trends, and the service is polished and calm. It is the sort of place where you can settle in for a long conversation.

Bar Cock has an old-world mood that suits a late drink after dinner. It tends to stay open into the early hours, as most of Madrid’s bars do. Because the history of the founding is told in different ways, it is best to enjoy the atmosphere rather than argue over the story.

Opening times vary by night, so check the bar’s own website before you go, and dress smartly if you want to feel at home.

The bar suits couples and small groups best, since the room is compact and conversation carries easily, so it is better for talking than for dancing.

• How to get there: A short walk from Gran Vía or Chueca metro stations.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: After dinner, from late evening.
• Tip: Pair it with Del Diego, which is on the same street, for a classic cocktail crawl.

4. Del Diego

Del Diego is a cocktail bar on Calle de la Reina that has been serving Madrid since the early 1990s, founded by Fernando del Diego, who trained under the Museo Chicote tradition. It is run in a New York style, where the bar itself is the star.

The menu is long and focused on classic cocktails made carefully, with a signature drink named after the bar. It is not flashy, and the appeal lies in consistency. The sons of the founder have continued the family business, which gives it a sense of continuity that is rare in a fast-changing nightlife scene.

The room is warm and elegant, with dark wood, mirrors and a long bar, and it attracts a mixed crowd of locals, couples and visitors who want a serious drink. It is usually closed on Sundays, so plan around that.

Del Diego sits in the Chueca area, close to Gran Vía, so it fits neatly into a route that includes Bar Cock and Museo Chicote. Together they show how Madrid’s cocktail tradition developed.

It is also a good place to ask bartenders for advice, as the team knows the city’s cocktail scene well and can point you to other bars that match your taste.

• How to get there: A short walk from Chueca or Gran Vía metro stations.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Early evening, on a weekday, for a relaxed pace.
• Tip: Check the bar’s regular closing day before you plan your route.

5. 1862 Dry Bar

1862 Dry Bar is a stylish cocktail bar on Calle del Pez in Malasaña, named after the year the first famous bartending guide was published. The focus is on spirit-led, classic-style drinks, made with care and served in a dim, relaxed room.

The menu includes old favourites such as the mint julep and gin fizz, alongside original drinks that use fresh ingredients and unusual flavours. Pisco, sherry and bitters all turn up in the more creative cocktails, so it is a good choice if you like drinks that taste of the spirit rather than sugar.

The bar has an intimate feel, with a smaller basement area, and it has built a good reputation among bartenders as well as visitors. It is popular with locals, which says a lot in a city with so many options.

Malasaña is Madrid’s alternative neighbourhood, with vintage shops, small bars and street art, so it is easy to add a second stop on the way home. The lane outside is quiet, which is a nice change from the busier central streets.

Because the menu rewards curiosity, it is worth trying something you would not usually order, and the staff are patient about explaining unfamiliar ingredients.

• How to get there: A short walk from Noviciado or Tribunal metro stations.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Early evening, when it is easier to get a seat.
• Tip: If you are unsure what to order, ask for a classic and say which spirit you prefer.

6. Santos y Desamparados

Santos y Desamparados is a moody cocktail bar in the Huertas area, with a gothic look that stands out from the more polished bars nearby. The decor is full of religious imagery, candles and dark corners, and there is even a confession booth at the back.

The bar opened in 2018 and appeals to people who like rock music and a bit of theatre with their drinks. The cocktails are inventive and well made, and the bartenders are happy to talk you through the list. Reviews are mixed on price, so expect to pay a fair amount for the show.

It is a fun choice for a second or third stop, especially for a group, and the setting makes it good for photos (just be polite about other guests). Huertas has many bars within a few minutes’ walk, so you can easily move on if you want something calmer.

The bar sits on Costanilla de los Desamparados, a quiet lane that feels removed from the main streets. That helps make it feel like a find, even though it is not hard to reach.

Plan to arrive earlier than you think, because the narrow room fills quickly once the late-night crowd begins to arrive from the nearby streets.

• How to get there: A short walk from Antón Martín metro station.
• How long to spend: About an hour.
• Best time to go: Late evening, when the atmosphere is at its best.
• Tip: Go with a group, as the bar is more fun when you can share and compare drinks.

7. Viva Madrid

Viva Madrid is a historic tavern in the Huertas district, dating to 1856, with a tiled facade and an interior that has kept much of its old character. The tiles, wooden ceiling and long bar give it a feel that is quite different from the sleek bars elsewhere in the city.

The bar was revived in 2018 by Diego Cabrera, the same bartender behind Salmon Guru, who kept the historic look while updating the drinks. It now offers a good mix of classic cocktails, beer and wine, and it is a lively place that suits a relaxed group.

Writers, artists and actors have been linked with the bar over the years, and it still feels like a place where people come to talk. It is a good choice if you want to see a piece of old Madrid without giving up good drinks.

Because it is in the middle of Huertas, it works well as a first stop on a night out. You can walk to Salmon Guru and La Venencia in a few minutes, so it is easy to build a route around it.

Prices here are usually gentler than at the city’s cocktail bars, which makes it a sensible place to start the night before spending more elsewhere.

• How to get there: A short walk from Sevilla or Antón Martín metro stations.
• How long to spend: About an hour.
• Best time to go: Early evening, to enjoy the interior before it gets crowded.
• Tip: Look up at the ceiling and the tiled walls before you sit down.

8. La Venencia

La Venencia is a legendary sherry bar on Calle de Echegaray, and it is one of the most unusual places to drink in Madrid. It has barely changed for decades, with wooden barrels, old posters and a counter where the staff chalk your order on the bar.

The menu is short and focused: dry sherries poured from the barrel, with a few simple snacks such as tinned seafood and olives. There are no cocktails and no fuss, and the experience is about the sherry and the atmosphere. It is a good place to learn the difference between fino, manzanilla and other dry styles.

The bar has some strict house habits. Photography has long been discouraged, and tips are not expected. Sources differ on whether cards are accepted, so bring cash to be safe. It can be busy on Friday and Saturday evenings, so arriving at opening time helps.

La Venencia is the right choice if you want something authentic and low-key. It sits close to Salmon Guru, so the two make a good contrast in one evening, one flamboyant and one traditional.

Staff will often suggest a style if you tell them whether you prefer something dry and crisp or richer and nuttier, so do not worry if sherry is new to you.

• How to get there: A short walk from Sevilla or Sol metro stations.
• How long to spend: About an hour.
• Best time to go: Early evening, before it gets crowded.
• Tip: Bring cash and put your phone away, as the bar is known for its no-photo rule.

9. Casa Camacho

Casa Camacho is a family-run vermouth bar in Malasaña, famous for its own signature drink, the Yayo. The Yayo is a simple mix of gin, vermouth and soda, and this is one of the few places where you can still drink it the traditional way.

The bar was a neighbourhood bodega for generations and has kept the look of an old Madrid tavern, with a tiled bar, old bottles and a busy, noisy room. It is a favourite with locals who stop in for a drink and a snack before dinner, which is a long-standing Madrid habit known as the aperitivo.

The food is simple, with olives, anchovies and tinned seafood to go with the drinks, and the mood is relaxed and friendly. It is also a good place to try vermouth on its own, served over ice with an orange slice.

Casa Camacho can get very crowded, especially at weekends, so be ready to stand. That is part of the charm, and most people end up chatting at the bar.

It is a good example of how Madrid’s locals drink: standing, chatting, snacking and moving on after an hour, rather than settling in for the whole evening.

• How to get there: A short walk from Tribunal or Bilbao metro stations.
• How long to spend: About an hour.
• Best time to go: Early evening, or a weekday lunchtime for the aperitivo. It is usually closed on Sundays.
• Tip: Ask for a Yayo and a plate of olives, and take your time.

10. Taberna Ángel Sierra

Taberna Ángel Sierra is a traditional tavern on Calle de Gravina, opposite the Plaza de Chueca, famous for its vermouth on tap. The building dates back more than a century, and the interior has old barrels, tiles and a wooden bar that has been worn smooth by generations of drinkers.

The vermouth is the reason to come. It is served cold, usually with an olive or a slice of orange, and it is the classic drink of the Madrid aperitivo. Snacks such as anchovies, olives and small tapas go well with it, and the pace is slow and friendly.

The tavern has also appeared on screen, appearing in Pedro Almodóvar’s 1995 film The Flower of My Secret, which adds to its reputation. It attracts a mix of neighbours and visitors, and the plaza outside is a lively spot to carry on the evening.

Chueca is one of Madrid’s liveliest districts, with a strong LGBTQ+ scene and plenty of bars, so you can easily continue from here to Del Diego or Bar Cock. It is a good example of how old Madrid and new Madrid sit side by side.

For more details, see the official Madrid tourism page for Taberna Ángel Sierra.

• How to get there: A short walk from Chueca metro station.
• How long to spend: About an hour.
• Best time to go: Early evening, or a weekend lunchtime for the aperitivo.
• Tip: Ask for the vermouth on tap and share a plate of anchovies or olives.

Drinks to try in Madrid

Madrid’s drinks culture is built on a few classics:

• Vermut: sweet red vermouth, served over ice with an olive or orange.
• The Yayo: a mix of gin, vermouth and soda from Casa Camacho.
• Sherry: dry styles such as fino and manzanilla, served cold.
• Gin and tonic: served in a large glass, often with a garnish.
• Martini and negroni: the classic cocktails at the old Gran Vía bars.
• Caña: a small draught beer, the everyday drink.
• Tinto de verano: red wine mixed with soda, popular in summer.

Suggested routes for 1, 2 or 3 nights

One night: Start with vermouth at Taberna Ángel Sierra, walk to Bar Cock or Del Diego for a classic cocktail, and finish at Museo Chicote.

Two nights: Add a Huertas evening. Begin at Viva Madrid, have a sherry at La Venencia and end at Salmon Guru or Santos y Desamparados.

Three nights: Spend the third evening in Malasaña, with a Yayo at Casa Camacho and dinner nearby, followed by cocktails at 1862 Dry Bar.

Where to stay for a bar-hopping trip

Chueca and Gran Vía put several of the best bars within walking distance, and the area is lively late at night. Huertas and Barrio de las Letras are good for atmosphere and for walking home, though the streets can be noisy. Malasaña is a good choice if you like independent bars and a younger crowd. For a quieter stay, look around Sol or Retiro and take a short taxi or metro ride out.

Getting around

Madrid has a fast, simple metro that covers every area in this guide, and most of the bars are within a short walk of a station. Services usually end around one thirty in the morning, so check the last train time if you plan a late night. After that, night buses and taxis are available. The central districts are easy to cover on foot, and walking between bars is part of the fun. The Metro de Madrid website has the current network map and service times.

Etiquette and timing

Madrid eats and drinks late. Dinner is often after nine, and bars fill up after ten, so an early evening drink is a good way to get a seat. Tipping is appreciated but not expected, and a small amount of change is enough. In traditional bars, order at the counter and pay when you leave. Many bars do not take bookings, so be ready to queue at busy times. If you are in the city at the end of December, our guide to Europe’s best New Year’s Eve destinations explains the tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight in the Puerta del Sol.

Budget guidance

• Cheap: vermouth and sherry at Casa Camacho, La Venencia and Taberna Ángel Sierra, and a caña with a snack.
• Mid-range: cocktails at 1862 Dry Bar, Del Diego, Bar Cock and Santos y Desamparados.
• Special occasion: a night at Salmon Guru or Museo Chicote, with several rounds of cocktails.

Starting the evening at a traditional bar, then moving to a cocktail bar for one standout drink, keeps costs down without missing the best of the city.

Plan your Madrid night out

Start early with vermouth, save one big cocktail bar for later, and walk between neighbourhoods to see how differently Madrid drinks. If Spain is only one stop on a longer trip, our pick of the best places to eat in Barcelona helps you plan the food side of a visit to Catalonia, and our guide to the best places to eat in Lisbon is useful if you are carrying on west into Portugal. For another great European drinking city, our round-up of Munich’s best beer halls and beer gardens shows a very different tradition.

Featured image: Photo by Florian Wehde on Unsplash