Tapas, Madrid

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Named for the date that began the Spanish War of Independence, this square is not only a great place to take in some history but is also a popular square with locals full of lively bars, clubs and terrazas.

Here you will find cafés of all sorts, from those that allow you to bring your own food to those that serve fuller fare, such as the delightful Pizzería Maravillas which serves interesting and piping hot mini pizzas (I liked the one with whole green olives on it).

The prices are generally cheaper here than the much more tourist filled Plaza Mayor and the crowd much more mixed. The outdoor seating fills up fast so don't be shy. Grab a table, settle in, and order a Tinto Verano.

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El Tigre on c/Infantas (Metro: Gran Via or Chueca). The bar is tiny and you have to practically wade through tissues, toothpicks and cigarette butts on the floor to get to the bar - but it's worth it. Very cheap, especially for Madrid. This tapas bar is all that is Madrid. The people, the laid back atmosphere, the tapas, and of course the beer. This is one place I recommend if you have friends visiting from home. It is a little place to drink, eat some tapas, and get used to Spainish people, culture and language. El Tigre seemed very welcoming and open to people of any sort. The tapas are good, the beer is descent, and above all prices are very reasonable considering you are in Madird. I highly recommend to start a night or two here and then head to the clubs, you will not regret it.

Dress Code: Forget about it, see some of the pics and see how people are dressed. Very Very laid back dress code.

This is the only microbrewery in Madrid and is located in the heart of Plaza Santa Ana. There serve and brew a variety of ales and lager so if you can't find any beer that you do not like - well there's something wrong with you :)

On the ground floor, there is a typical bar and tapas scene.
Down in the basement cellar level you can even serve your own beer from the taps at your table. How convenient!
During the warmer months, there are outdoor seating looking out into the plaza.

La Latina and Lavapiés are rapidly becoming Madrid’s most multicultural neighbourhoods, and young artists are also moving in to add to the mix, bringing trendy bars, cafés and vintage clothes stores in their wake. The Sunday morning flea market El Rastro is a classic: follow it in true Madrileño style with a tapas crawl around the local bars.

Dress Code: Casual

To begin your night, If you want to go to a well known Madrid bar that foreigners AND Spanish people go, try Espana Cani. (The name means something like the worst of Spain, haha) They serve cheap sangria by the picher and if you go really early they have tapas. I?ve heard they have a good Salmorejo. The music is sort of Spanish pop. Its in Huertas so there are lots of other bars around to continue to afterwards. Its small and can get crowded but its a good place to meet people. And the feeling is very Spanish.

Dress Code: No dress code, but people who go out in Huertas don't wear sneakers (unless they are foreign) because later you may want to get into some bars and clubs that don?t allow them.

When you are in Spain you need to go to one of many locals. This one is very nice. This is a Guinness pub, but you can drink here too spanish beer. I like Mahu - this is very light beer. And you can eat there tapas or tortilla or another great specialite de la meson.
I like the mosaic walls in spanish locals. They are really beautiful.

Dress Code: I think this is not importand.

We wanted to go to a quaint place to eat some tapas and enjoy some music. Fortunately we meet an American girl who had lived in Madrid for a few years and was back for a visit. She showed us a quiet little spot just off the Plaza Mayor. The tapa bars were in caves (called "cuevas") under the buildings. We walked in a random one (because I liked the door) and found ourselves to be nearly the only patrons. Soon a table of Spaniards walked in and a musician. My friend told the musician that I loved to dance and he solicited some of the few men in the place to give me a whirl. An older man pulled me to the floor and soon my table of four girls were dancing on the floor with the local patrons. What an experience! Later, our server told me that we were the first tourists he had seen in years. Interesting!

One of the best things to do in Madrid and all around Spain is Tapas Hopping. Just stroll from bar to bar and enjoy some of the local tapas specialities with a drink. I was lucky enough to meet some local VT friends who showed me around. So we were at various places like: Riazor, Casa Antonio, El Cuchi, Las Bravas, El Abuelo and we ended up at Cafe del Teatro Espanol.
*Photo by SirRichard*