27 Nov Madrid Nightlife for University Students
The city never sleeps in Madrid.
Unless of course you’re talking about a mid-day siesta to prepare you for the vibrant and energetic Madrid nightlife scene that is so characteristic of Madrid. For university students, a typical night out is not for the faint of heart, that’s why we’re providing you with an all-inclusive guide from tapas to mojitos, so you won’t miss a beat.
Let’s talk vocabulary. Here are some of the key words essential to navigating your first night out in Madrid:
cañas – Beers.
copas – Literally translated as cup or trophy, but indicates an alcoholic drink.
Madrileños – A native or inhabitant of Madrid.
mojito – A cocktail consisting of five ingredients: white rum, sugar, lime juice, sparkling water, and mint.
pijo – A posh individual.
raciones- Larger main dishes meant to be shared.
sangria – A cold drink made of red or white wine mixed with brandy, sugar, fruit juice, and soda water.
tapas – A wide variety of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine.
The Madrid nightlife will start the evening no earlier than 8pm, grabbing a few pre-drinks and filling up on tapas galore. Check out a couple of our best suggestions and you’ll be mixing and mingling like a local in no time.
8pm:
Plaza de Santa Ana, Malasaña and La Latina – Bustling neighborhoods well-known for local vibes and flair. Perfect for university students.
El Lacón – A traditional Spanish tavern where you can snag a caña for just €1.35 (including a free tapas dish.)
Lateral – Known for it’s “modern” ambiance, be sure to enjoy the homemade sangria at one of their 5 locations.
Le Cabrera – Think “gastrobar” featuring fashionable and gourmet menu selections. Been featured on CNN and many other well-known media outlets.
Next, time to hit up a few bars. The night is just beginning…
10pm:
Bristol Bar – Home to over 120 different gin varieties, Bristol Bar is an elegant parlor with a British flair.
Ramses – Ultra-chic and graffiti covered, Ramses is also home to stellar views of Puerta de Alcala monument.
Museo Chicote- A nostalgic art-deco bar, famous for hosting VIPs such as, Sinatra, Gardner and Hemingway since its inception in 1931.
If you’re looking to dance the night away, you’re in luck because the club scene and Madrid nightlife doesn’t truly kick off until around 3am and lasts into the wee hours of the morning (think 6 or 7am.)
3am:
Joy Eslava – Known for its diverse crowd and surprise live dance performances, Joy Eslava also has a relatively low cover charge of only 8 Euro.
Gabana 1800 – Self-proclaimed “Best Club in Madrid”, think velvet rope, VIP tables and an impressive roster of celebrity visitors… you get the picture.
Palacio Fortuny – Complete with three stories, including a restaurant and terrace, Palacio Fortuny is surely one of the hippest clubs in Madrid.
In general, mixed drinks are much stronger in Spain then in the US and UK so make sure to drink responsibly. As you crash into bed around 8am after a night out in Madrid, you’ll be thanking your lucky stars for that afternoon siesta!
Want to read another Spain related blog post? – Check out our guide about why Madrid is the Silicon Valley of Europe. In this post we discuss the hot startup scene in Madrid, the available incubators, best opportunities for non-Spanish speaking students and why Madrid has become the most attractive place for fast growing startups in Europe.
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