Sol and Las Letras

Traditional bars in Sol
Narrow streets of Sol
A sunny day in Plaza del Sol, Madrid
A terrace in Plaza de Santa Ana, Madrid

Sol is right smack in the middle of Madrid. The area for bars is just south of the main square and metro stop. It is a bit of a tourist trap but you’ll find many nice tapas bars and venues with live music that although they are not the most unique places you’ll always have a good time.

A lot of bars are also open much later than the rest of Madrid. If clubs aren’t your thing and the local bars are closing this is the place to head!

Las Letras is adjacent to Sol and a lot less touristy. A lot of the bars here seem to be caught in a time trap from the 80s but there are a few good ones.

All bars in this zone

Taquería Mi Ciudad

Outside the Taquería Mi Ciudad, Calle de las Fuentes, 11, Madrid

Inexpensive, crowded and very small. This tiny little taco bar is great for a quick bite and a beer. In general mexican food in spain is much more authentic then the texmex you'll find in other countries but this place is especially so.

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Cafe del Soul

Sign oustide Cafe del Soul in Calle de Barcelona, 3, Madrid

Cafe del Soul seems to be a Gaudi inspired bar in Madrid, fitting as it’s on Calle de Barcelona. I say inspired by Gaudi but don’t expect too much, it is certainly no masterpiece of beauty. It has cave type seats and walls where there are very few straight lines.

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Taberna de los Ángeles

Outside of the Taberna de los Ángeles, Calle de Costanilla de Los Ángeles, 8, Madrid

A very rustic old fashioned Spanish bar that has been around forever. A little bit touristy but they do good cider and food from Galicia. It’s a good place to stop off when making the journey from La Latina to Malasaña.

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El Diario de Huertas

Outside El Diario de Huertas, 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.

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El Imperfecto

Bar Guide The Blegger - Sensory overload at El Imperfecto

A small bar that is absolutely reaming to the brim with tat, but nonetheless good. Already the entrance beckons you with blue and green neon lights but when you enter: lamps, chandeliers, disco balls, pictures, photos and mirrors every inch of this bar is filled with something.

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Los Gatos

The sign 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.

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Laser Karaoke

The neon signs outside Laser Karaoke, Calle de las huertas, Madrid

Normally I wouldn’t dream of recommending a Karaoke bar but I was convinced to go in and I have to say it’s worth a mention. It was set up in the 80’s and I don’t think it has changed one bit. When you first walk in you spot a vintage sofa that’s dressed up like the back of a 50’s Chevrolet.

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La Fontana De Oro

The Blegger Pub Guide - La Fontana De Oro Irish bar in Sol, Calle de la Victoria,1, Madrid, Spain

La Fontana De Oro is Spanish for the golden fountain. I don't know if they are hinting at leprechauns and their pots of gold because it's a strange name for an Irish bar.

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Bodegas Melibea

Outsdide of 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.

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