Tapas

Vinícola Mentridana

Outside of bar Vinícola Mentridana in Calle San Eugenio, 9, Madrid
The bar at bar Vinícola Mentridana in  Calle San Eugenio, 9, Madrid
bar Vinícola Mentridana in La Latina Calle San Eugenio, 9, Madrid
bar Vinícola Mentridana in La Latina  Calle San Eugenio, 9, Madrid

A lot of people come to Madrid to see the history and not just to go to the bars. In Vinícola Mentridana you can actually do both at the same time. That’s right, the high vaulted ceilings lined with dusty bottles of wine is enough history for me, no need to visit the museums. If you must go to the Museums this place is actually pretty close to both the Prado and Reina Sofía. Despite this it's anything but touristy as it’s a located on a bit of a backstreet.

Vinícola Mentridana completes it’s historic feel with old wooden floors and wall panelings. There are large french windows opening on the street that are perfect for a summer day of people watching. For a bar they have a very large selection of wines and even do a hot mulled wine in the winter which is really hard to find in Madrid.

In terms of food they have a few main dishes but mainly serve “raciones” and “tostas” but the the portions are quite large. For something very Spanish you could try a tosta with “sobrasada” which is like a spreadable sausage. It’s a great place to come in a group and get a few different things to pick at while experimenting with all the different wines. Vinícola Mentridana is an untacky kind of place with a great atmosphere. It would be great if Spain was more famous for this kind of place and less famous for sangria and flamenco.

Calle San Eugenio, 9
28012 Madrid Madrid
Spain
+34 915 27 87 60

Taberna Aranda

Taberna Aranda bar, pub La Latina, Almendro 22, Madrid
Taberna Aranda bar, pub La Latina, Almendro 22, Madrid
Taberna Aranda bar, pub La Latina, Almendro 22, Madrid, Spain
Taberna Aranda bar, pub La Latina, Almendro 22, Madrid, spain

Taberna Aranda in La Latina is hard to miss. It’s on the corner of Calle Almendro and Cuesta San Pedro just off of Plaza San Andre. It has a brick facade with white shutters and huge signs proclaiming the seemingly never ending happy hour. This is the first bar you come to on Calle Almendro which has quite a few good bars that are a little bit less expensive than the ones on the main drag of La Latina. Aranda is no exception, they have inexpensive cañas and cocktails that come with a free tapas usually consisting of a little slice of baguette with some ham or salmon on it.

Aranda has a clean bright modern look and is decorated with very odd wallpaper with a repeating pattern of Marilyn Monroe and several skyscrapers from New York. There are also a few photos of old movie stars spread throughout the bar. The front room has a bar and high tables. The back room, or the “Salon” as it is labeled, is a small room with tables and chairs where people usually go to if they are ordering food.

The food is pretty decent even if a little bit expensive for the size of the portions but this is really a place to drink. They have good cocktails, even better if you consider the price. Some of them even come with sweets in them if that floats your boat.

Almendro 22
28005 Madrid Madrid
Spain
+34 912 596 250

Bodegas Melibea

Outsdide of bar Bodegas Melibea, Sol, Calle de Espoz y Mina,9, Madrid
Erotic murals in Bodegas Melibea, Sol, Calle de Espoz y Mina,9, Madrid
 bar Bodegas Melibea, Sol, Calle de Espoz y Mina,9, Madrid
 bar Bodegas Melibea, Sol, Calle de Espoz y Mina,9, Madrid

Standing outside of Bodegas Melibea you are immediately tempted in by murals of naked bathing beauties. Very tasteful of course. With all the bars around Sol offering cheap beers and the promise of drunken shenanigans, it’s a nice change from a young student handing you a flyer for a free shot.

Inside there are more murals which become even more captivating. On the left side there are bathing women similar to the outside but with the central one being an erotic piece depicting two women kissing. On the right is a scene made up of skeletons drinking and partying. When you look closer you realise that it’s actually the bar itself where you can even see the same mural that’s on the left of the bar. Weird, funky and kinda cool.

The food and drinks are inexpensive and it’s one of the few places that'll give you free tapas with your drink that’s not just crisps or olives. The staff are friendly and so are the clientele. Of course being near Sol they do cater to the tourists so you can easily find a Sangria here if you really must.

Since these photos were taken the bar has gone through a bit of a makeover. Not really to my taste. The cool murals are still there but it's now more of a restaurant and less of a bar. Still a great place to have a beer.

Calle de Espoz y Mina,9
28012 Madrid Madrid
Spain
+34 645 89 82 49

Casa de Julio

Outside bar Casa de Julio in Malasaña, Calle de la Madera, 37, Madrid
The bar at bar Casa de Julio in Malasaña Calle de la Madera, 37, Madrid
The bar at bar Casa de Julio in Malasaña Calle de la Madera, 37, Madrid
Casa de Julio in Malasaña Calle de la Madera, 37, Madrid

Casa de Julio is a bar that's been around forever. It's hidden on a back street so it doesn't attract the same young crowd as on calle Pez or Espirito Santo but that’s not to say it doesn't get busy. Casa de Julio is very small and can fill up in no time. It's best to get there early so you can get a table and let the others suffer trying to find a little ledge to prop their drink on.

Casa de Julio is famous not just because it’s a quaint traditional bar or because the Irish rock band U2 once came to visit. It’s famous for the croquetas which in Spain are a little different from the ones in the rest of Europe. Here they aren't filled with mash potato but rather an extremely thick bechamel (butter, flour and milk). The traditional varieties also contain ham or salted cod.

The great thing about Casa de Julio is that they don’t just stop at the traditional croquetas. They have a large selection and you can pick which ones you want:

Jamon (Ham, I think most of you know this one!)
Morcilla con membrillo (Black pudding with quince which is a sweet jelly almost like marmalade without the bits)
Espinacas, pasas y gorgonzola (Spinach, raisins and gorgonzola)
Queso azul (blue cheese)
Setas con puerros (mushrooms with leeks)
Bonito, huevo y cebolla caramelizada (tuna, egg and caramelized onions
Picadillo (mince meat)

Calle de la Madera, 37
28004 Madrid Madrid
Spain

Mar y Ola

Bar Mar y Ola, Calle del Almendro, 25, Madrid
Bar Mar y Ola Calle del Almendro, 25, Madrid
Bar Mar y Ola Calle del Almendro, 25, Madrid
Bar Mar y Ola Calle del Almendro, 25, Madrid

Mar y Ola is Spanish for Sea & Wave, as the name suggests it's a seafood bar. Seafood is hugely popular in Spain and there are literally hundreds of restaurants dedicated to it but as far as bars go this place is relatively unique. The outside of the bar comes across as being a bit of a traditional bar with old wooden shutters but the inside is simple, modern and clean.

Mar y Ola is not content to be a great seafood bar, it’s one of the best places that I know for cocktails. They really take pride in them. It’s great to watch the mojitos being made with fresh fruit, the glasses being lightly scented with oils from freshly cut peels or the mint being delicately hand crushed in order to just release the flavours without bruising the mint itself.

As if great seafood and cocktails was not enough this bar has many more things going on. They project films on the wall and often have micro theater or bands to attract customers throughout the week. Strangely enough these are almost common in Madrid whereas the pub quizzes that they organise are pretty rare but be warned they are in Spanish.

Calle del Almendro, 25
28005 Madrid Madrid
Spain
+34 910 11 69 66

La Buga del Lobo

La Buga del Lobo bar in Lavapiés, Calle de Argumosa, 11, Madrid
La Buga del Lobo bar in Lavapiés, Calle de Argumosa, 11, Madrid
La Buga del Lobo bar in Lavapiés, Calle de Argumosa, 11, Madrid
La Buga del Lobo bar in Lavapiés, Calle de Argumosa, 11, Madrid

The terrace of La Buga de Lobo is much like the others along Calle de Argumosa. It’s nice to sit out on a summer afternoon but nothing unique. Inside is another story. It’s a large bar covered in beautiful murals in a style somewhere between Latin tribal and graffiti. La Buga de Lobo also has local artwork for sale and other cultural events such as films, concerts and even a market for independent designers.

This is the kind of bar that epitomises the multicultural reputation of Lavapiés. The food is a mix of flavours from traditional madrileño to Caribbean and oriental influences. For example the eggs run the gauntlet from the traditional huevos rotos (a pair of fried eggs on top of chips) to the exotic huevos caribeños (literally Caribbean eggs).

Calle de Argumosa, 11
28012 Madrid Madrid
Spain
+34 915 28 88 38

La Trastienda Taberna

The full length windows at La Trastienda Taberna, Travesia De Las Vistillas, 13, Madrid
Review of the bar at La Trastienda Taberna, Travesia De Las Vistillas, 13, Madrid
The bar at La Trastienda Taberna, Travesia De Las Vistillas, 13, Madrid
Guide to the bar La Trastienda Taberna, Travesia De Las Vistillas, 13, Madrid

La Trastienda is a small bar with views onto the Vistillas Park which slopes steeply behind the palace. The bar does not have a terrace but during the summer the open full length windows give you a similar feel if you’re lucky enough to get a table at one of them.

The bar has a clean simple decor of light oak panelled walls and seats; this coupled with the attentive bar staff and jazz in the background, reminds me more of Switzerland than Madrid.

I have a hard time finding my favourite pickled herring in Spain but a close Spanish second are “Boquerones En Vinagre” which are similar but using a much smaller fish similar to an anchovy. At La Trastienda Taberna they have a delicious homemade version.

Travesia De Las Vistillas, 13
28005 Madrid Madrid
Spain
+34 91 365 6328

Areia Colonial Chill Out

 Areia Colonial Chill Out from The Blegger Bar guide, Calle Hortaleza, 92, Madrid
Relaxing in the Areia Colonial Chill Out from The Blegger Bar guide, Calle Hortaleza, 92, Madrid
The bar at the Areia Colonial Chill Out from The Blegger Bar guide, Calle Hortaleza, 92, Madrid
Inside the Areia Colonial Chill Out from The Blegger Bar guide, Calle Hortaleza, 92, Madrid

Looking for an oasis in the middle of the city? The Arabic decoration, cushions and low couches makes this is a great place to chill out and relax. They used to even put sand on the ground but I’m kind of glad they stopped. The novelty wears off and you get sick of coming home with your shoes filled with sand.

You can still feel like an Arab prince lounging around on the cushions and smoke a shisha pipe. Early on they serve ethnic food and depending on the day of the week, later on in the evening they often have a live DJ playing house music bringing more of a club type atmosphere.

Calle Hortaleza, 92
28004 Madrid Madrid
Spain
+34 913 10 03 07

Los Gatos

The sign at Los Gatos bar in Calle de Jesús, 2, Madrid
bizarre furnishings at Los Gatos bar in Calle de Jesús, 2, Madrid
The selection of tapas at Los Gatos bar in Calle de Jesús, 2, Madrid
The back room at Los Gatos bar in Calle de Jesús, 2, Madrid

A nice little tapas bar with extremely bizarre furnishings. From the street lamp post in the middle of the bar, to the skeleton mural and the bull fighting paraphernalia, everything is a little out of place but at the same time; we are in Spain. My only complaint is that the very bright white lighting almost seems clinical.

They do a good selection of tapas and it’s one of the few places that will usually give you something for free besides crisps and olives. There is a little back room where you can grab a seat for more of a restaurant feel.

Calle de Jesús, 2
28014 Madrid Madrid
Spain

El Diario de Huertas

Outside El Diario de Huertas, Calle de Las Huertas, 69, Madrid, Spain
The opulent statue inside El Diario de Huertas, Calle de Las Huertas, 69, Madrid, Spain
The Pintxos at opulent El Diario de Huertas, Calle de Las Huertas, 69, Madrid, Spain
The bar at El Diario de Huertas in Calle de Las Huertas, 69, Madrid, Spain

This is a tapas bar with a large selection of tapas but not your fancy pants kind that you’ll find in some of the more modern Basque bars. This is traditional Spanish fair for a decent price in a bar that has been here since 1879 even if it has obviously gone through many renovations in that time.

The ceiling of the bar is decorated with newspapers paying homage to the name of the bar and at the entrance is a round table with a large Greek statue. Despite this opulent touch the rest of the bar is quite simple with modern and old touches mixed a little haphazardly.

Calle de Las Huertas, 69
28014 Madrid Madrid
Spain
+34 914 29 28 00

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