When it comes to partying, only a handful of countries go as hard as Spain and, of all its cities, Madrid deserves an honourable mention for being the epicentre of Spanish nightlife.
Madrileños are energetic people who seem to defy time and schedules, so keeping up with them is not an easy task. In Madrid, it is normal to have dinner around 10 pm, have some drinks at midnight and arrive at the club between two and three in the morning to end up going back home (or to the hotel) just before the sun comes up.
When planning a visit to the capital of Spain, choosing the best area to stay in Madrid for nightlife is as important as understanding that getting to the nightclub early is almost a capital sin.
Staying near the clubs you want to visit will save time and money because a) taxis can be expensive b) public transport is not as frequent during the night and c) Madrid is, for the most part, a safe city for pedestrians.
There are certain things you should take into account while choosing the best areas to stay in Madrid for nightlife, but it all comes down to your particular preferences in the end.
If the ever-growing hipster scene of Madrid catches your attention, areas like Malasaña are right up your alley. On the other hand, Chueca is the place to go for gay clubs and LGBT friendly venues and is also a great choice for accommodation in Madrid.
Here’s a list of the top areas to stay in Madrid for nightlife, carefully selected to match your unique clubbing style, similarly to our Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris and London guides.
The Best Areas to Stay in Madrid for Nightlife
1. Malasaña: Hipster paradise
Malasaña, located in the centre of Madrid, is the cradle of La Movida Madrileña, the late 70s/early 80s social and cultural movement that came to full fruition after the death of the dictator Francisco Franco.
La Movida saw a lot of (at the time) up-and-coming personalities such as filmmaker Pedro Almodovar or musicians like Mecano refusing to censor themselves, redefining Spain’s point of view in arts, sexuality, and culture.
As a result, Malasaña is treasured by artists, bohemians, and all kinds of urban tribes, and has managed to maintain most of its alternative appeal.
Malasaña is one of the best areas to stay in Madrid for nightlife due to the perfect contrast of posh restaurants with hipster bars and venues in the neighbourhood.
This part of Madrid is well-connected through lines 1, 2, 3, 4 and 10 of the metro, with stations at just a 10-minute walk from anywhere in the district.
The nightlife in this area includes:
- El Penta
- 1862 Dry Bar
- Fábrica Maravaillas
- La Vía Láctea
- MADKLYN
Hand-picked hotels in this area
Our Top PickComfy San Bernardo Rooms is located in Madrid, 458 m from Calle de la Princesa. Located around half a kilometer from Puerta del Sol, the guesthouse is also 1 km away from Plaza Mayor. Free WiFi is available and on-site parking is provided.
2. Letras & La Latina: Tapas Bars Galore
Las Letras is everyone’s favourite area to get in a party mood, before the actual party. This district comes alive from 10 pm to midnight, a perfect timeframe for groups of friends to get together and enjoy the best tapas and beers of Madrid.
It is common for workers to meet at Las Letras after office for a couple of very needed drinks to blow some steam. This neighbourhood is also popular among those who just got up from a power nap (or “siesta“), fully energized to go clubbing.
The streets of Las Letras & La Latina are named after some of the greatest Spanish writers in history, including Cervantes, Lope de Vega, and Quevedo, to only name a few, which adds a bohemian vibe to the quarter.
Las Letras is connected through metro and is the best area to stay in Madrid for nightlife if you enjoy low-key, chilled entertainment or love to start the party early with pre-drinks, but don’t be fooled: There’s also clubs in Las Letras & Latina to get wild to the latest dance and house music.
The nightlife in this area includes:
- Mi Madre Era Una Groupie
- Kapital
- Sol & Sombra
- Estado Puro
- Matute 12
Hand-picked hotels in this area
-
Our Top Pick
Lovely Hostal Royal Cruz
is located just 150 meters from Puerta del Sol in Madrid, and offers a 24-hour reception and free Wi-Fi.
3. Chueca: The Gay Heart of Madrid
Chueca is the gay district in Madrid par excellence and is located next to Malasaña.
Around this neighbourhood, you’ll find something to do each day of the week since there are hundreds of bars and clubs on Chueca’s sidewalks that welcome all members of the LGBTQ community.
In addition, it’s an easy task to move from Chueca to other places in Madrid since it is connected through metro, including its own station.
Chueca is the best area to stay in Madrid for nightlife if you’d like to dance like there’s no tomorrow in one its many weekly theme parties, listening to pop hits while tasting avant-garde dishes with fruity drinks. It’s up to you!
On the other hand, hotels in Chueca can be very expensive during Pride (usually between the last week of June and the first of July), and booking a room in advance is recommended if you’re planning to visit Madrid during that time.
The nightlife in this area includes:
- Bearbie Madrid
- Enfrente Club
- Gris
- Delirio
- El Bulldog
Hand-picked hotels in this area
-
Our Top Pick
LGBT-oriented Room Mate Oscar is an elegant hotel located in the center of Madrid, between the Gran Vía and the Chueca neighborhood. There is free Wi-Fi, a rooftop bar and rooms with a flat-screen TV.
4. Lavapiés: Poor But Sexy!
Lavapiés is located in the southcentral area of Madrid and has become the new favourite district for hipsters who think that Malasaña has gotten too mainstream over the last couple of years.
This part of the city is next to the Latina & Las Letras barrio, and was reserved for the working class and immigrants in the past.
However, over the last couple of years, Lavapiés and its grungy aesthetic have gained momentum, becoming a very lively part of Madrid’s nightlife.
Lavapiés is one of the best areas to stay in Madrid for nightlife because of its diverse party scene since there’s something for everybody.
This neighbourhood is also connected to the rest of the city through metro.
The nightlife in this area includes:
- Traveling Bar
- La Huelga de Lavapiés
- Candela
- Delirium Dance Club
- Club 33
Hand-picked hotels in this area
-
Our Top Pick
Beautiful Artrip Hotel is located in the Madrid district of Lavapiés. It offers functional rooms with free Wi-Fi and private bathrooms.
5. Barrio de Salamanca: The Uppest of the Upper
Salamanca is the most exclusive area of Madrid.
Calle de Serrano (Serrano Street), is in the northern part of Madrid, and its huge extension covers two of the City’s most elegant districts: Chamartín and Salamanca.
Although Salamanca is mainly famous for being a shopping area, it is also filled with nightlife options that are worth discovering, even if they are a little pricey.
Barrio de Salamanca is one of the best areas to stay in Madrid for nightlife if you prefer posh clubs, or are hoping to see celebrities partying during your visit to Spain’s capital, but keep in mind that accommodation is usually expensive.
This quarter is perfectly connected through metro, and it’s not uncommon to spot people wearing the latest fashion trends on any of its transportation options.
The nightlife in this area includes:
- Le Boutique Club
- El Callejón de Serrano
- Discoteca Serrano 41
- Black Star
- ThunderCat Club
Hand-picked hotels in this area
-
Our Top Pick
Charming Petit Palace Lealtad Plaza is located 200 meters from the Prado Museum and Retiro Park, it offers elegant rooms with a free iPad.
Read this post in other languages:
