Lavapiés

Calle Argumosa in Lavipies, Madrid
Lavipies, Madrid
Lavipies, Madrid
Lavipies, Madrid

Lavapiés is an inexpensive area whose name comically translates to “wash feet”. It was originally the Jewish quarter of the city until the Jews were expelled in 1492. The area still is famous for having a large foreign population.

The whole area is very steep and at the bottom of Lavapiés is the main square Plaza de Lavapiés is known for openly selling drugs but it also has a high police presence in order to crack down on this. There are many alternative bars which offer a nice change from the upscale places further up in central Madrid.

All bars in this zone

Oustide La Inquilina, Calle Ave María, 39, Madrid

This is a great looking bar which is pretty large for Madrid especially in Lavapiés. There is a small street terrace and three rooms. The front main room is where the long wooden bar is situated.

Outside Bar Automático, Calle de Argumosa, 17, Madird

This is one of the better bars along the tree lined Calle de Argumosa which in itself is full of bars. Some would be put off by the smurf blue interior but with the cool paintings and Caribbean feel I rather like it.

The sign outside the Terral bar in Calle de Santa Isabel, 14, Madrid

This is a hip bar on the very top of Lavapiés. As the owners advertise it is a mix of many things: a bar, an ecological restaurant and an area of “free” art. In fact its walls are lined with art of various types from a Reservoir Dogs mural to a huge portrait of an old man.

Outside María Bonita Taco Bar - Lavapiés, Calle Olmo, 23, Madrid

This is a great little Mexican bar at the top of Lavapiés. Strangely, in Lavapiés it is pretty hard to find a good place for Mexican food. (There are probably 100 Indian places though).

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.

Outside of bar Vinícola Mentridana in 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.