Madrid
in Spain
Madrid has certainly lived up to its reputation as a place where sheer energy and festive activity carries through the streets – a city that truly lives for the moment.
While the golden Spanish metropolis of Madrid is known for its cultural sophistication, fine dining, historical art and traditional flair, there’s also no denying that Madrid likes to party. The financial hub and capital of Spain, the 3 million inhabitants that call Madrid home (not to mention the endless tourists) offer a number of sensible destinations to blow off some steam from all that excess energy (besides siesta, of course). From the storied cocktail bars and legendary nightclubs to the everyday rowdy pubs, whatever your age, preference in music, style or favorite pastime, Madrid has exciting action in store for you when the sun goes down.
In a country known for its incredible nightlife atmosphere, Madrid stands out as the flamboyant, exciting, wild exemplar of the country. Princesa is the energetic and lively district of Madrid is where the youth flock to in numbers, whereas Lavapiés is where you can experience a one-of-a-kind fusion of reggaeton, electonica, hip-hop and rock in Madrid’s most intercontinental district. Austrias is known for its variety in live music shows, while Chueca has some of the most legendary LGBTQ parties in all of Europe. In Salamanca, you'll find upscale establishments and lounges that cater towards the more sophisticated crowd. Madrid is robust and dynamic to offer some sort of nocturnal fauna for just about everyone – unpretentious drink holes, elegant cocktail bars, live flamenco shows – just don’t expect to get back to bed until you’ve killed the night.
Things happen late in Spain, in general. While most groups start their night off at a bar, the party doesn’t happen until the bars close at 1:30 AM or so. The discotecas will typically begin to fill after that, although they don’t necessarily heat up at their peak until around 4 AM before closing at 6 AM where grabbing churros con chocolate is a pre-bed ritual. So if you do plan on staying out the entire night, you’ll soon have an entirely newfound appreciation for your daily siesta. It doesn't matter when you find yourself in Madrid, from Monday to Sunday, the party doesn’t stop.
