How & Where to Party it up in Madrid

The present day night-life in Madrid was stimulated by the voice and self-expressionism found by many young people shortly after the fall of the dictatorship. This period was round about the 80´s and it was aptly named ¨La Movida¨ which translates to the movement in English and it gave birth to some of the most happening Spanish artists and big screen names like Pedro Almodóvar. The sudden explosion of artistic & social expression alter years of repression saw the blossoming of many entertainment halls, bars, night clubs most of which have survived to date.

There are various types of clubs in Madrid. These clubs cater for any type of crowd, company, pocket, ambience and artistic tendencies. The majority of clubs open from Thursdays till Saturday from midnight till 6 or 7am.Some clubs do amplify their hours and continue throughout the next day. These hangouts are called after-hours. One can always find clubs which open any other day, though the opening and operating times are generally late at night. The cover charge or colloquially so called damage is usually 10€ and 20€.The amount almost always includes a drink or two. Madrid is a dynamic 24/7 city and Hemingway understood it very well when writing in the thirties:
“In Madrid on cold nights you can drink sherry brandy and go to bed. To go to bed early at night in Madrid marks you as a little queer. For a long time your friends will feel a little uncomfortable about it. Nobody goes to bed in Madrid until they have killed the night." This statement remains true today.

Balcón de Rosales

Address: Paseo Pintor Rosales s/n. Tel. 915 417 440. Metro Arguelles.

The club is divided into three sections the highlight being the dance floor with views of the biggest park in Madrid, Casa de Campo. The remaining sections are a restaurant and a chill-out zone. The music being played is mostly the commercial national and international successes of the moment. Entrance is free and the drinks cost between 9€ and 12€. The opening times are from 11pm to 5am.

Fortuny

Address: Calle Fortuny 34. Tel. 913 192 651. Metro Rubén Darío

This club is located in a magnificent palace from the 19th century of 3 floors. It has a restaurant and marvellous balcony where one can enjoy a drink in the summer. The crowd is made of people between 25 and 40 years. Entrance is 12€. The opening times are from 9pm to 5am.

Gabana

Address: Calle Velázquez 6. Tel. 915 760 686. Metro Velásquez

This club is usually frequented by the who´s who from the television industry or those adorning the society pages in Madrid. Therefore the club is frequented by fashionable people in their 30s. The music being played is of the moment without being excessively pop or commercial. The opening times are from 11pm to 5am.Drinks cost from 12€ and there is parking available as well as a VIP area.

Joy Eslava

Address: C/Arenal, 11. Tel. 915 415 937. Metro Plaza de España

Joy Eslava is making waves as the most happening club in Madrid. It opens on Fridays and Saturdays from midnight till 6am.The entrance is 12€ and includes a drink. At this club one can jive to house music while enjoying live performances. The club has 3 floors and VIP reserved zones. You can be sure to bump into some famous names here and this night scene is recommended for those who like to really get dressed up. Real Madrid players have been spotted at this club.

Kapital

Address: Calle Atocha 125. Tel. 914 202 906. Metro Atocha

Club Kapital is arguably the most famous club in Madrid having earned this fame from its architecture and layout.The club ahs 7 floors which host different types of music or ambience.There is a salsa floor, R&B floor, house floor, karaoke floor,chill-out, video viewing floor and more.The most impressive being the last floor whose roof can be opened in the summer to enjoy the sights of a typical Madrid night on seductive couaches.This club is ideal for a hip date or flirting. The club also hosts various themed parties at other times of the year. Entrance of 12€ gets the clubber one or two drinksaccording to the tour that they arrive.It opens on Fridays,Saturdays and Sundays from midnight till 6am.Be sure to be dressed for the occasion as the bouncers strictly control the dresscode. Dont miss attending the club on Fridays for Kapital Young,which caters for a younger crowd with its resident dj's likedj Nano, dj Rakkel, Dj Christian XL and dj Miguel Serna.