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Madrid may traditionally be a beer town, with Mahou beer being Madrileños’ drink of choice, but wine is increasingly stealing the stage, with wine bars popping up right and left. From a glass of cava to a glass of Rioja vintage, there is something for every taste at these top Madrid wine bars.

Madrid by night

Restaurante Vinoteca García De La Navarra

Bar, Restaurant, Spanish

Callos a la madrileña
© JavierLastras/Flickr
Owned by two brothers, this wine bar and restaurant specializes in using seasonal ingredients in their cooking (which consists of delectable stews, potato dishes, and more, which are served at the bar as well as at tables), and all of the food pairs beautifully with wines from the well-stocked cellar. Arrive hungry and thirsty, and leave satisfied.

La Taberna Sanlúcar

Bar, Spanish

Sherry
© Dominic Lockyer/Flickr
For a break from the usual, head to Sanlúcar for an evening of sherry drinking. This cozy bar offers an assortment of good sherries by the glass, including oloroso, amontillado, manzanilla, and more, all in a delightful atmosphere reminiscent of southern Spain.

Díaz Y Larrouy

Bar, Pub Grub, Spanish

This inviting and intimate bar doesn’t have a wine list, wine bottles are stacked on the countertop, and guests are free to browse the choices. If you are not sure what to pick, just ask the helpful bar staff. And don’t forget to order some snacks as accompaniment, such as tostas with various toppings, to round off the experience.

Vinícola Mentridana

Bar, Wine Bar, Bodega, Spanish, Pub Grub

This super-cool bohemian wine bar features large street-fronting windows and retains a pleasant echo of its former life as a humble bodega. The fairly-priced wine list is extensive, and there are seasonal offerings as well. Order a mulled wine or a steaming ‘caldo,’ or broth, in winter, and in summer you can enjoy a refreshing granizado or glass of gazpacho.

Tienda De Vinos (El Comunista)

Restaurant, Wine Bar, Bar, Spanish

Though ‘Tienda de Vinos’ is what the sign outside the bar says, this restaurant/bar is colloquially known as ‘El Comunista’ as a nod to its role as a leftist meeting spot during the Franco regime. A Madrid stalwart, the tasty and classic menu hasn’t changed in years, and the original owner’s great-grandchildren still work there.

About the author

Maddy is in her second year reading English at the University of St Andrews. Born and bred in Washington, DC, she retains an affinity for political intrigue, urban green space, and Ethiopian cuisine despite newly appreciating the British traditions of queueing, apologising, and Wimbledon. Maddy's freelance writing has been published in media such as Matador Network and Thistle Magazine as well as in St Andrews-based publications. She'll travel anywhere, just give her a moment to lace up her Adidas.

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