The Best Cocktail Bars in Malasaña, Madrid
Malasaña is one of Madrid’s hippest neighbourhoods. It was the centre of La Movida Madrileña counter cultural movement in the 1980s, and retains its rebellious indie reputation to this day. Cocktail bars here include everything from vintage glamour hotspots through to modern design setups – the only question is, where will you start?
1. 1862 Dry Bar
Bar, Cocktail Bar, Spanish
This stylish bar brings a touch of Prohibition-era glamour to the neighborhood. Head to the romantic cave-like space downstairs, where you can order at the cute mini-bar and check out the backlit cage of alcohol (yes, you heard right). Cocktails are lovingly hand-crafted and a good deal at around €8 (US$9). Try the Mary Pickford, a rum and pineapple juice mix named during Prohibition after the silent film actress.
2. Lolina Vintage Café
Bar, Cafe, Cocktail Bar, Spanish
3. Vacaciones
Bar, Cocktail Bar, Spanish, Cocktails
Madrid might be landlocked, but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit the beach. Vacaciones cocktail bar is decorated like a chiringuito, or beach hut, and is the embodiment of laid-back coastal cool. Grab a seat at one of the wooden tables and enjoy a cocktail under the fairy lights strung across the ceiling. Vacaciones does a great range of cocktails and arguably Madrid’s favourite drink – gin and tonic. Cocktails are reasonably priced at around €6-€7 (US$6.70-$7.81).
5. Café de la Luz
Bar, Cafe, Spanish, Coffee, European
6. El Jardín Secreto
Bar, Restaurant, Spanish, Mediterranean, European
To step inside ‘The Secret Garden’ is to experience an Arabian wonderland; decorated in lush fabrics draped from the ceiling, and with candles and flowers surrounding the cute little tables, this is a romantic destination for after-dinner cocktails. Make sure not to miss the dessert list – a chocoholic’s dream. Prepare for a bit of a wait or book a table on weekends, when it’s at its busiest.
7. Kikekeller
Bar, Spanish
When this stylish furniture shop/gallery shuts its doors for the day, it soon re-opens as a secret cocktail bar, where those in the know enjoy a drink among the designer lamps, tables and chairs. Almost everything is for sale, so if you enjoy some design inspiration while you sip on your cocktail, this is the place for you. It also holds new art exhibitions every couple of months. A great place for a dash of creativity with your cocktail.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.