The Top 10 Cocktail Bars in Chueca, Madrid
Chueca, with its stylish boutiques, hip restaurants and fun hangouts is one of Madrid’s most popular neighbourhoods. It is also the centre of the city’s LGBT scene, and is home to some brilliant bars, whether you’re looking for old-world sophistication or a modern party scene. We explore Chueca’s top cocktail bars to check out on your next visit.
Macera
Bar, Cocktail Bar, Spanish
Handcrafted cocktails are the drink of choice in this cool, industrial-chic Chueca bar, where every spirit has been artisanally made and sits in glass jars with handwritten labels behind the counter. The lack of big name brands is refreshing and allows the beautifully made spirits, crafted by barman Narciso Bermejo, to really sing. The bar offers its own gin, whiskey, vodka and rum, as well as a range of cocktails.
Museo Chicote
Cocktail Bar, Bar, Spanish, Cocktails, Beer, Wine, Pub Grub
Del Diego
Cocktail Bar, Bar, Nightclub, Spanish, Cocktails, Beer, Wine, Pub Grub
Taking style inspiration from New York’s classic drinking dens, Del Diego is a family-run cocktail bar that is one of the most popular in Madrid. It was set up by Fernando del Diego, who began his career working at the legendary Museo Chicote before founding his own cocktail bar in 1992. Today, Fernando runs the bar with his two sons making it a true family affair. The menu is wide-ranging, including everything from classics like Bloody Marys and Old Fashioneds, to cocktails that incorporate Spanish ingredients like Cava-based Agua de Valencia.
La Cocina de San Antón
Restaurant, Spanish, Mediterranean, European, Vegetarian
The Mercado de San Antón, a traditional covered food market in the heart of Chueca, reopened after extensive renovations in 2011 as a hip place selling fresh produce, and is now home to a new range of food stalls alongside La Cocina de San Antón, a restaurant and roof terrace on the market’s third floor. The terrace, with its comfy sofas and views over the barrio’s rooftops, is a great place to kick back with a cocktail. Try the Pasión de San Antón, a combination of rum, lime, passion fruit, lemon and sugar.
Angelita
Cocktail Bar, Wine Bar, Bar, Restaurant, Spanish, Tapas
Areia
Pub, Spanish, Pub Grub, Cocktails, Beer, Wine
Baranoa
Cocktail Bar, Spanish, Cocktails, Beer, Wine, Pub Grub
The party is always getting started at this popular gay bar, where everyone is welcome as long as they’re out for a good time. Handsome barmen make expertly mixed cocktails and the music is blasting from early in the evening. Like the barmen, there is nothing shy and retiring about Baranoa’s cocktails; expect huge tropical creations with little umbrellas and straws and maybe even a parrot for good measure.
Harvey’s
Cocktail Bar, Spanish, Cocktails, Beer, Wine, Pub Grub
Among the clothes shops of pedestrianised shopping street Fuencarral, you’ll find this throwback to 1950s Americana, named after the film Harvey, in which James Stewart befriends a giant imaginary rabbit of the same name. Harvey’s has red upholstered booths, vintage tunes on the jukebox and a good range of classic cocktails, as well as a Spanish spin on classic American cuisine. The muted lighting brings to mind old New York speakeasies and clandestine drinking dens.
Toni 2
Bar, Spanish, Beer, Wine, Cocktails, Pub Grub
Prepare to sing your heart out with locals as they crowd around the piano for a good old fashioned singalong at this legendary local. This classic piano bar, which features beautiful vintage decor, is a favourite with the older crowds, but there are a growing number of younger patrons who are discovering the bar’s charms. Be warned: patrons take the singing very seriously, it is not just any old karaoke, so if you’re planning to sing, make sure you know all the words and can belt the song out in tune.
Gin Club
Bar, Nightclub, Spanish, Beer, Cocktails, Pub Grub, Wine
Madrileños love a gin and tonic, or ‘gin-tonics’ as they’re called in Spain, and the love affair shows no sign of slowing down. Sample some quality Spanish and international gins (the menu has over 40 different types), as well as a range of cocktails at Gin Club, a stylish cocktail bar in the Mercado de la Reina, a tapas bar just off Gran Vía. The restaurant offers specialties from across Spain to enjoy alongside your cocktails.