Sala Villanos on Calle de Bernardino Obregon in Embajadores is the rebrand of the historic Sala Caracol flamenco temple, now programming jazz, flamenco, funk, disco, soul, hip-hop and rock concerts.
Tip: Ticketed concerts most weekends; the cantaora-and-flamenco legacy still drives the programme. Embajadores L3 is the metro; arrive before doors for the bar queue.
Address: Calle de Bernardino Obregon 18, 28012 Madrid
Wurlitzer Ballroom on Calle de Tres Cruces by Gran Via runs a 200-capacity concert hall and bar with rock, punk, garage and power-pop programming across a punk-rock industrial-decor room.
Tip: Open every night; weeknight concerts from 22:30, weekends to 06:00. The room is small and the stage is close, arrive early for the band's set.
Azotea del Circulo de Bellas Artes on Calle de Alcala is the iconic Madrid rooftop bar atop the 1926 arts centre, with a 360 degree skyline view and a Spanish-Mediterranean carte from breakfast through cocktails.
Tip: Around 5 euros for the elevator up; busy at sunset, quieter for the noon coffee. The terrace runs to 01:30 weeknights and 02:00 weekends.
The 360 Rooftop Bar on the 27th floor of the Hotel Riu Plaza Espana in the Edificio Espana on Gran Via is Madrid's highest hotel terrace, with panoramic skyline views and a famous glass balcony walkway.
Tip: Open daily 11:00 to 01:00 with kitchen to 23:30; last entry midnight. The glass balcony is the photo stop; queues build at sunset.
The Hat Rooftop on Calle Imperial sits on top of a Plaza Mayor adjacent hostel and serves cocktails and small plates with a southern skyline view, popular with the centre's twenty-something traveller crowd.
Tip: Tipple-and-tapas terrace open most days from 13:00 to 23:45; closing earlier on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Walk-in only, the room is small.
Picalagartos Sky Bar on the ninth floor of the NH Collection Gran Via at the corner of Calle de la Montera runs a terrace with 360 views, a cocktail programme by Azotea Group and a separate eighth-floor restaurant.
Tip: Sky bar is first-come first-served, no reservations; the eighth-floor dining room takes bookings. Smart casual at the door; the corner Gran Via view is the photo seat.
La Terraza del Casino on the top floor of the Casino de Madrid on Calle de Alcala has been Paco Roncero's two-Michelin-starred tasting-menu rooftop since 1990, redesigned by Jaime Hayon in tropical blues and greens.
Tip: Tasting menu only, dinner-led reservation through OpenTable or the restaurant; bar in the Casino room before the meal. Smart-elegant attire required.