For the perfect weekend in Madrid, you need good cocktails, good food, good coffee and luxury accommodation – don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
The best cocktail bars in Madrid by neighbourhood:
- Gran Vía: Bad Company 1920
- Literary Quarter: La Santoría & Salmon Guru
- Chueca: Specia Atelier Bar
- Malasaña: El Especial Taller Bar
- Sol: Baton Rouge Cocktail Bar
- Lavapiés: Savas Bar
1. Bad Company 1920
Gran Vía
The vibe: Hunt down the secret password on Instagram to be allowed inside the mysterious wooden door. Once you’re in, you’ll be transported to 1920s New York in the height of prohibition.
Type of cocktails: Don’t expect a Daiquiri here. Cocktails are creative and theatrical, inspired by historical figures and events.
Reservations required? Definitely – you can book here. This bar has been named one of the best 50 cocktail bars in the world this year, and it’s undoubtedly one of the best bars in Madrid 2022.
2. La Santoría
Huertas/ Literary Quarter
The vibe: A hidden cocktail bar that looks like a normal building from the outside. Expect a dark, intimate atmosphere full of religious symbolism and neon.
Type of cocktails: The ‘potions’ on offer are themed around life’s bigger conquests – love, inner peace and strength. Interesting ingredients are eloquently presented to create a truly unique drinks experience.
Reservations required? Reservations are recommended during busy periods – you can book here to experience one of the coolest bars in Madrid.
3. Specia Atelier Bar
Chueca
The vibe: Artisan cocktails made with precision by mixologists in the fun Chueca neighbourhood.
Type of cocktails: Distinct flavours and quirky drinks you may never have seen before. Obviously, the spicy drinks are super popular.
Reservations required? No.
4. Salmon Guru
Huertas/ Literary Quarter
The vibe: Funky cocktails in a retro-style bar with plenty of neon. This is also one of the best bars in Madrid with music, found in the heart of Barrio de las Letras.
Type of cocktails: The endless cocktail list is something to marvel. Expect steaming, crackling, colourful cocktails that taste amazing.
Reservations required? Salmon Guru doesn’t accept reservations but this place is really popular, so arrive early to avoid queuing down the street.
5. El Especial Taller Bar
Malasaña
The vibe: An intimate cocktail bar with drinks made from homemade infused liquors. Definitely one of the best bars in Malasaña.
Type of cocktails: If you love your botanicals, fresh herbs and fruits then you’ll love El Especial. The gin cocktails like Tom Collins are especially popular.
Reservations required? You can reserve a table by phone or by messaging them on Instagram. If you love spending your city breaks hopping from one bar to the next, then you should choose to stay in Malasaña when you visit Madrid.
6. Ficus Bar
Chueca
The vibe: An African-inspired cocktail bar with a brilliant atmosphere and lots of plants.
Type of cocktails: Fresh, clean cocktails like the Lebanese Smash with basil or the Plum Sour with Peruvian Pisco.
Reservations required? No.
7. Baton Rouge Cocktail Bar
Sol
The vibe: Craft cocktails in a vintage-inspired bar near Sol.
Type of cocktails: Innovative cocktails inspired by classics. The team here really know their 19th & 20th century cocktails, and serve them to you with a modern twist.
Reservations required? Bookings are recommended – you can book here.
8. Savas Bar
Lavapiés
The vibe: A small intimate cocktail bar with a compact but perfectly executed drinks menu.
Type of cocktails: Fresh & fruity spritz as well as classic Caipirinhas and delicious White Russians.
Reservations required? No.
9. Santamaría Coctelería
Malasaña
The vibe: Cocktails in an old 20th century brothel with a great atmosphere.
Type of cocktails: Literally all of the classics from negronis to moscow mules and martinis.
Reservations required? No, Santamaría Coctelería doesn’t accept reservations.
10. Santos y Desamparados
Huertas/ Literary Quarter
The vibe: Interesting cocktails in a gothic, moody spot with a chilled atmosphere.
Type of cocktails: The kind of cocktails you won’t find anywhere else in Madrid. For example, they do a martini with balsamic onion, which is actually amazing.
Reservations required? No.
11. Sambhad Cocktail Bar Terraza
Malasaña
The vibe: Sambhad Cocktail Bar is a bit of a cocktail institution in Madrid. It’s been open for years and it’s affordable, so it’s one of the best bars in Madrid for students.
Type of cocktails: Sambhad offers lots of Tiki/ Polynesian style cocktails with fresh fruit and fun glassware.
Reservations required? No. Just turn up and find yourself a spot on the outdoor terrace.
12. 1862 Dry Bar
Malasaña
The vibe: Cocktails in an old cozy vaulted cellar in the Malasaña neighbourhood.
Type of cocktails: ‘Cocktails like they used to be’. Think signature cocktails in a space that transports you to previous centuries.
Reservations required? No.
First time in Madrid? I can highly recommend using the Go City Pass to save a ton of money on entrance fees and tickets. The all inclusive pass provides access to all of Madrid’s paid attractions including the palaces, museums and galleries, hop-on-hop-off bus tour, flamenco shows, Real Madrid stadium tour and even segway tours around the city!
I hope you enjoyed my guide to the best cocktail bars in Madrid 2022, don’t miss The Best Coffee in Madrid here.