The 8 Best Bars In Malasaña, Madrid

The name of this bar means ‘corner’ in Spanish, and it really is just that; a tiny corner situated in the lively Malasaña neighborhood, decorated to perfection. The contrast between the black and white photographs and the baby blue walls is only beautiful. They have some excellent tapas: their Spanish omelet is worth trying, but they also have other types of cuisine, such as pasta or quesadillas. The beer here is great too, and the cocktails are delicious albeit slightly more expensive than elsewhere in the neighborhood.

TupperWare is not only one of the best bars in Malasaña, but it is also one of the most exciting things to do overall in the neighborhood. The crazy kitsch decor, Star Wars photos, murals, lights and different music choices spice things up and chase boredom away at an exhilarating rate. One night they might play funky jazz while the next there might be dance or house music.

Similar in style to TupperWare, La Vía Láctea is another bar with quirky decor that is hard to imitate anywhere else; the result of years and years of gathering music posters from the 1980s and putting them on the walls. They serve great beer at even better prices (three euros) and they also have decent cocktails. The music played here is usually indie, Brit pop, electronica or rock, attracting a diverse audience from all backgrounds and age groups.

Madklyn is run by the same family that runs TupperWare. It is located near the Plaza Dos de Mayo, and it is one of the bars responsible for keeping that area of the neighborhood alive and buzzing at night. The decoration does not disappoint here, and the music – usually pop-rock – will keep visitors on their feet all night. There are two sections, one at the front and a back room with sofas and another bar that is usually less crowded. It is available for hire.

This bar, commonly known as just ‘El Penta’, is emblematic of the Movida movement which took over Madrid in the 1980s. It opened its doors in 1976 and ever since it has been a favorite with the youth in the area. Even though part of the locale is still living in the past – they play music from the 1980s and the 1990s – it has also figured out how to modernize itself to stay relevant in Madrid’s competitive night scene.

El Mandil has not yet been affected by the hipster vibe that is infiltrating many bars in Madrid. Even though it is anything but boring, it has retained some simplicity, which makes it a relaxing place to head to when the quirkiness and funkiness of this neighborhood is just too much. Apart from their more formal dining area, they have an amazing bar, where tourists can sit on the stools and order some of their great – and very affordable – drinks and tapas.

Bar Cabreira is situated in the vicinity of the Plaza Dos de Mayo, one of the most beautiful and significant landmarks in Malasaña. The bar’s terrace is always crowded with lively people, and the reason behind it is that it is not only a great bar, with an excellent selection of wines from Galicia and elsewhere, but that it also serves delicious tapas, inspired by Galician gastronomy. The sheer number of locals that come to visit this place means that it is not ideal for those who are in a hurry, but rather for visitors who would like to calmly experience Spanish culture.

This is the first Mezcaleria in Spain, and in fact in Europe; there are three others in Mexico managed by the same company. Mezcal is a traditional Mexican alcoholic drink that is obtained from the distillation of the maguey plant. La Mezcaleria is a great place to try a shot of mezcal for the first time, and visitors who find it too strong can always wash it down with one of their other delicious drinks.