Madrid - A Night Owl's Paradise

     The handle "The city that never sleeps" officially belongs to New York City; however visitors returning from a trip to Madrid may beg to differ. Madrid can however be considered the night club capital of Europe. This being a city whose local government just put into place a cap that will limit the opening of new bars in the city. Now who can argue with that?

     If you have never traveled to Madrid, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind when going out for the evening. The first thing to remember is that Madrid restaurants and cafes don't normally open until later in the evening than most people, particularly American's, aren't used to. Expect most restaurants to open around 7pm at the earliest, some not even until 10pm.

     Another thing to keep in mind is that local Madrid residents (Madrilenos) will party all night long, with some clubs staying open until 5 or 6 a.m. But don't make the mistake of thinking that they are trying to put back as many drinks as they can all night. Madrilenos have perfected the art of making a beverage last, longer than most American's would be used to. In Madrid, the locals are after quality, not quantity unlike some cultures. The key to a fun night out in Madrid is to remember that it is a marathon, not a sprint.

     Madrid is a place that can cater its nightlife to anybody's style, no matter what that style might be. From the budget minded backpacker to the extravagantly wealthy jetsetter, Madrid will have a bar or club right up your alley. The default area of the city for nightlife is the Puerto del Sol area which is directly in the center of Madrid. This area is filled with large department stores, smaller retail stores and boutiques, endless restaurants and cafes, and one of the more famous symbols of Spain and the El Oso y El Madrano, the statue of the bear eating from a strawberry tree. Here you will find Irish styled pubs, trendy clubs playing pop music, tourists as well as locals looking to interact with the tourists.

     For those looking for something a little more upscale, than the area for you has to be Salamanca. This is where the wealthy come to gather and it is evident upon entrance to any of the numerous bars and clubs. It isn't uncommon to see somebody of celebrity status gallivanting in this area of town.

     Another popular area of Madrid is Chueca, an area that was once the notorious center for the queer scene of Madrid. While a part of that is still true, you will still find plenty of people of all origins. This area is a little more high-class than Salamanca and caters to those who are not afraid to flash their wallet.

     If you are not sure what your style is, no need to worry. When in doubt, just follow the crowds and see where they are going as there is always guaranteed to be a large crowd looking for a good time, especially on the weekends.