In Madrid the bars fill up after midnight. This is a selection from my list of saved places: cider houses, a speakeasy, an old cocktail bar, a bar in a former cinema and a music club. The descriptions are put together from Google Maps reviews, and I'll add my own notes as I visit.
Prices are Google's average spend per person, valid as of 1 October 2026. Rate: 1 € ≈ $1.13.
In short
- Cheap and filling: El Tigre in Chueca brings a plate of tapas with every drink.
- Morning to night: the Asturian cider house El Fontán near Sol is open from 8:00 to 2:30.
- Most atmospheric bar: Satán, a speakeasy with no sign. Knock on the plain door.
- With history: Museo Chicote on Gran Vía has been pouring since 1931.
- Films and gigs: Sala Equis in the ruins of a cinema, and the legendary Sala El Sol.
Tapas and cider
El Tigre Sidra Bar
Chueca · cider bar & tapas · up to 10 € (≈$11) · daily 12:00–0:30, Fri–Sat until 1:00
Google Maps · website · Calle de las Infantas, 23
According to Google Maps reviews (4.2 from 26,000+): a loud old bar where every drink (cider, wine, vermouth, mojitos) comes with a generous plate of tapas. The food is basic, mostly potatoes, bread and fried things, but it's filling, cheap and fun; locals go, and tour guides bring visitors. Anyone expecting gastronomy will be disappointed, and some say different tables get different tapas.
Taberna Sidrería El Fontán
Sol · Asturian cider tavern · 10–20 € (≈$11–23) · daily 8:00–2:30
Google Maps · website · Plaza de Canalejas, 6
According to Google Maps reviews (4.1 from 3,100+): a cider tavern on Plaza de Canalejas that's open from breakfast until late at night. Reviewers praise the croquetas (especially blue cheese with apple sauce), the octopus, the beef pie and the quick, friendly service. Weak spots: an over-salted paella and tortilla, and loud music. Stick to tapas rather than rice.
Bars and live music
Satán Cocktail Bar
Malasaña · speakeasy · 10–20 € (≈$11–23) · Thu 19:00–1:00, Fri–Sat 19:00–2:00, Sun 18:00–0:00, Mon 19:00–0:00, closed Tue–Wed
Google Maps · website · Calle de los Libreros, 18
According to Google Maps reviews (4.8 from 500+): a speakeasy behind a plain door with no sign. Knock, and someone leads you downstairs into a red-lit room with candles, books and dried flowers on the bar. The cocktails get praise (especially the house spicy margarita, the Satán), the music leaves room for conversation and it's never packed, which makes it a good date spot. Snacks cost extra but are cheap.
Museo Chicote
Gran Vía · cocktail bar since 1931 · 20–30 € (≈$23–34) · Mon–Thu 16:00–3:00, Fri–Sat 16:00–3:30, Sun 13:00–3:00
Google Maps · website · Gran Vía, 12
According to Google Maps reviews (4.2 from 2,900+): Spain's first American bar, in its original Art Deco interior, with walls covered in photos of famous guests; Hemingway was a regular. Cocktails cost around 14–16 €; reviewers like the house Chicote and the smoke-dome serves. The restaurant is at the front, the bar at the back, with live music some nights. You come for the history more than for surprises.
Sala Equis
La Latina · bar in a former cinema · 10–20 € (≈$11–23) · Mon–Fri 17:30–1:00, Sat–Sun 12:30–1:00, Fri–Sat until 2:00
Google Maps · website · Calle del Duque de Alba, 4
According to Google Maps reviews (4.5 from 7,000+): a huge bar in the shell of an old cinema, where you sit on steps, beach chairs and low platforms while films play on the screen. Reviewers praise the bravas, the atmosphere and the music; it works well for big groups, and the crowd is largely international. The downsides: it's nearly always packed and loud, you may not find a seat, and the steps aren't comfortable for everyone.
Sala El Sol
Gran Vía · live music club · 10–30 € (≈$11–34) · Wed–Thu 20:00–5:30, Fri–Sat 20:00–6:00, Sun 20:00–0:00, closed Mon–Tue
Google Maps · website · Calle de los Jardines, 3
According to Google Maps reviews (4.3 from 2,600+): a small, legendary music venue with a retro interior of brass railings and red curtains. Great for intimate gigs: you're close to the stage and the sound is good, and after the shows there are parties until morning. The bar is modest and it's not a restaurant; you come for the music.
One last thing
Check the day of the week: Satán is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and Sala El Sol on Mondays and Tuesdays. If the evening starts early, begin at El Tigre or El Fontán, where there's food, and save the cocktail bars for closer to midnight.
More on Madrid: where to eat, what to see, coffee and breakfast.