Inclan Brutal Bar on Calle de Alvarez Gato by Plaza de Santa Ana in Las Letras opened in 2018 across three settings, a cocktail bar by the open kitchen, a luxury-library room and an indoor patio, with live music in the evening.
Tip: Open noon to 01:30 daily with a non-stop kitchen; the patio is the calm seat. Best Cocktail Bar-Restaurant in Spain 2021 at the Fibar Fair in Valladolid.
Address: Calle de Alvarez Gato 4, 28012 Madrid
La Venencia on Calle de Echegaray in Las Letras has poured Jerez and manzanilla sherries since 1922 in an old taberna with dark-wood barrels, the prices marked in chalk on the counter and a no-photographs Civil-War rule.
Tip: Five sherries on the list (Manzanilla, Fino, Oloroso, Amontillado, Palo Cortado), tapas of tuna, olives and pickles. No tipping (socialist principles), no photos.
La Venencia on Calle de Echegaray in Las Letras has poured Jerez and manzanilla sherries since 1922 in an old taberna with dark-wood barrels, the prices marked in chalk on the counter and a no-photographs Civil-War rule.
Tip: Five sherries on the list (Manzanilla, Fino, Oloroso, Amontillado, Palo Cortado), tapas of tuna, olives and pickles. No tipping (socialist principles), no photos.
Bodega de la Ardosa on Calle de Colon in Malasana has run since 1892 as the standing-room tile-fronted taberna for vermut on tap and beer pulled with practiced hand, with croquetas, tortilla de patatas and gildas at the bar.
Tip: Standing room only at the bar; squeeze in for the famous tortilla de patatas and a vermut. Open daily from 09:00; closing 02:00 every night.
Casa Camacho on Calle de San Andres in Malasana since the 1920s pours the yayos, the house mix of soda, vermouth and gin, with affordable tapas of patatas bravas, marinated tuna and Madrid-style tripe.
Tip: The yayos is the order; tapas plates from 3 euros. Open Mon to Sat 12:30 to 02:00; closed Sunday. Cash bar is faster than the till.
El Anciano Rey de los Vinos on Calle de Bailen by the Almudena Cathedral was founded in 1909 by Luis Moron, with the red facade and bright tile front of the traditional Madrid taberna and a Madrid-de-los-Austrias wine list.
Tip: Vermut and house-pour wines at the marble counter; the typical-taberna front is one of the city's prettiest. Closed Sunday lunchtime; opens 10:00 most days.
Lolina Vintage Cafe on Calle del Espiritu Santo in Malasana mimics a 1950s to 1970s living room with patterned wallpaper, vintage lamps and escay furniture, serving brunch by day and 60s-music parties by night.
Tip: Brunch served daily; Thursday to Saturday the downstairs lounge runs 60s music parties. Walk-in, the room is small at peak.
Tupperware on Corredera Alta de San Pablo in Malasana is the throwback cocktail bar with 1980s decor and a Mauro Entrialgo back-wall mural of the Malasana indie and rock scene, the canon Malasana late-night.
Tip: Two floors with seating upstairs; the room peaks 01:00 to 03:00 weekends. The mural and the kitschy decor are the photo seats.