Olé Lola: Cocktails and Culinary Delights

A fairly recent addition to the funky chic cocktail gang in Madrid, Olé Lola, is definitely giving its existing competition a run for their money. From the minute you walk in the door you can’t help but feel just a little more glamorous than you did before. The black furniture, dim lighting and colourful bar all help to create an awesomely rich and cocktail-inducing feel. The joy of Lola is that there’s no posh attitude, which can be found in some of the swanky cocktail bars, and anyone is free to come and enjoy the sumptuous servings of both food and drink. Take your pick from the seating options of high tables, low tables, regular soft benches or low-lying lounging because Ole Lola has all of the above. What better way to enjoy a great cocktail than lying back on a soft padded sofa bench and sipping away your worries with one of the many concoctions that the bar staff knock together.

The cocktails aren’t the cheapest in town but they are no doubt some of the best that you’ll savour, and it’s obvious that the house cocktail master, Miguel Setién, designed the menu to satisfy. Perfectly complimented by such cool and comfy surroundings, you’ll find it hard to get up and go – so be prepared for an extended stay once you’ve settled down. Add to this the fact that there is a quirkily wonderful menu to get your teeth into; it’s just too tempting to resist. The list includes: mini chicken and foie burgers, grandma’s croquettes, and fried aubergine with salmorejo. And it doesn’t just stop at sounding and tasting good, head chef Jesús Pedraza takes massive pride in the presentation of his creations and each dish will have you and your friends cooing when it arrives at your table. Now whether it’s cooing, cocktails, cuisine or comfortable couches that you’re questing for, you know where to go.

Cocktails: 7-14€
Hours: Sun-Thurs 12:00 p.m. -02:00 a.m., Fri & Sat 12:00 p.m.-02:30 a.m.
Metro: Tribunal, Alonso Martínez, Bilbao

Olé Lola
Calle de San Mateo, 28
28010 Madrid, España
Tel: 913 106 695

By Tom Burgess

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1. Calle de San Mateo, 28

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Alternative Ambience at Bar Marimba

Founded by three “non-Madrileños”, you can tell Bar Marimba is new the second you walk through the door.  Not because it’s a bit quiet or because everything still seems clean and the toilets lock (although all of those are also true), but because you feel like a valuable customer from the moment you sit down.  Lydia, one of the co-owners and a native of Italy, carefully crafts a Mojito and a Caipiroska before sitting down to chat. Their drink specialties include Mojitos, Caipirinhas and their more innovative Caipiroskas, which they make with fresh seasonal fruits including strawberries, melon, kiwi and mango. The three friends (the other two are from Mallorca and Paraguay) finally opened the bar about two months ago.  The name simply comes from the South American name for an instrument resembling a xylophone.  The international worldliness of the owners carries over to more than just the name.  Everything from the music to the decor to the menu reflects the bar’s identity as a sort of alternatively trendy hangout spot for anyone passing through.

The space itself feels a bit “taverny”, with warm rust-coloured walls cut away to reveal the original stone.  The locale actually dates from the early 1800s. Little round tables are placed around the front room, each with a candle flickering on it.  The back room has a more rustic feel, with big wooden tables and chairs.  On one wall is a photo exhibit by a young photographer, Shihaya Buisán.  Lydia explains that they discovered the old granite walls when they began renovation.  But between then and now the space has served many a purpose.  Most recently it was a rather famous Electronica bar.  When it closed down two years ago, the space remained empty until this daring trio decided to buy it and re-do it completely.  “The renovation wasn’t just about painting and re-furnishing”, explains Lydia, “we had to change the whole identity of the space”.  That’s quite clear, there’s nothing left that even hints ‘screaming rave’. When I ask Lydia about the music, she describes it as “diverse”.   “We try and play calmer music in the mornings, while people have breakfast and work, and then at night we try and put on something a bit more lively”.  Even with the more energetic music, the bar is much more of a sit-and-talk place than a crazy dance venue.

Bar Marimba is more than a nocturnal niche, they are open for breakfast and serve snacks, coffees, teas and drinks all day.  “Our ‘thing’ is pita breads”, explains Lydia.  They top them loads of different ways.  “We also try and have one main ‘dish’ every day and a dessert.”  The daily specials are advertised on a blackboard:  hummus and pita bread, cold tomato/ avocado soup, chocolate tart with dulce de leche, tiramisu, and a pear and peach mousse.  Everything costs a reasonable 3-4 euros.  They also provide free Wifi to customers, which combined with the tables and endless supply of coffee make it a perfect study spot.  It is sometimes difficult to find places in Madrid (other than a Starbucks) to take your books and spread out with a coffee, but Bar Marimba fills that void.

Bar Marimba
Calle de Lavapiés, 11
Phone: 915 392 711
Hours:  Monday – Thursday – 10:30 a.m. – 2 :00 a.m., Friday – Sunday – 11 :00 a.m. – 3 :00 a.m.
Metro: Tirso De Molina
Price: 2-6 euros.

By Chloé Rousseau

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Café Diurno: Coffee, Cake and Cultural Movies

I was in search of a place to chill out, read the paper and do a bit of studying so I went wandering through the streets of Chueca. In Madrid the cafés are 10 a penny and every street will offer you a café con leche somewhere along the way, but I wanted something a bit more. And so when I stumbled across Diurno I knew that I’d found my new haven.

On the corner of C/Libertad and C/San Marcos, this is a spacious café with plenty of room and I’ve always been able to get a table (or even sofa if I’m lucky). Not only is it a café but also a video rental club where you can hire your favorite movies or try new ones. Diurno describes itself as a “gourmet video club or cultural drugstore” and I would agree that this place really feels like a happening hub of locals and visitors alike sharing some time chilling out and catching up. Open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, it’s also a great place to people watch for hours as the hodge-podge of customers come and go and offer glimpses of friendships, first dates and last dates!

What caught my eye from the first visit was the impossible-to-resist range of freshly baked cakes on offer at the counter, including the amazing dulce de leche chocolate cake, which is the perfect partner for your coffee. The chocolate brownies and carrot cake are so delicious that they’ll have Betty Crocker running for the recipe. There is also a great range of sandwiches, salads, pasta and soups (as well as more desserts on offer) that makes Diurno an option for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or for sweets. And to quench your thirst there is everything that you could want from teas, coffees, smoothies, juices, soft drinks, beers, wines, copas and cocktails. The caipirinhas are well worth a try and feature as one of the favourites amongst the clientele, obviously popular as you’ll see the sugar and lime-filled caipirinha glasses lined up along the bar ready to go. If you are looking to quench your thirst, satisfy your appetite or looking for the latest blockbuster then Diurno is your one-stop café to suit your needs.

Hours: Mon-Thurs 10:00 a.m. – 0:00 a.m., Fri 10:00 a.m. -01:00 a.m. , Sat 11:00 a.m. -01:00 a.m. , Sun/Hols 11:00 a.m. -0:00 a.m.

Beverage: Coffee 2 euros, cocktails 6 euros.

Movie rental: 3-3,50 euros

Café Diurno
Calle de San Marcos, 37
Tel: 91 522 00 09

By Tom Burgess

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1. Calle de San Marcos, 29

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Jose Alfredo: Where the Cool Kids Go for Cocktails in Madrid

Whether you’re a Gin Fizz junky or a Cosmo crazed fan, you  know that it’s not easy to find a place that really knows how to make cocktails the way they should be made. Let me introduce you to Jose Alfredo, well, not the man, but the cocktail bar of the moment here in Madrid. Named after the famous ranchero singer, this place means business when it comes to mixology and serving you a pedigree pick-me-up.

From the outside it is a very subtle, almost dull façade but what it holds inside is a host of taste-bud tingling sensations. On entering it is pleasant enough, but you need to head to the back where you’ll get to the splendid seating area, which includes mirrored walls teamed with various velvet patterns.  And if there’s an open table grab it because with the many locals and music crowds pouring into the place they don’t stay free for long.

Jose Alfredo’s is an oasis of liquid love. This is one bar that lets the drinks speak for themselves like a true coctelería. Although not cheap, at 8-10€ per cocktail, they are certainly a treat worth waiting for. If you’re not looking to spend lots on a night out then I’d recommend at least starting the evening here for a kick-off cocktail before heading on to somewhere more affordable. The house cocktail comes served in a martini glass and packs a sweet punch for those that love a sugar rush. Another great sweet treat, but mildly less sugar-bashing, is the Ballet Russe vodka cocktail that will have you on your toes just like Ms. Pavlova. The cocktail menu is varied enough to please all palates and it shows, as Jose Alfredo attracts a crowd every night of the week and the result is a great buzz to go with the great booze. But should the menu still leave you wanting more, then have a nice word with one of the trained camareros and see if they’ll mix up your own personal fusion of fun in a glass. Either way you are sure to be able to satisfy that thirst for whatever tickles your tongue and I’m pretty sure that you’ll find it hard to stop at one…

Jose Alfredo
C/Silva, 22
Metro: Callao / Gran Vía / Plaza de España
Beverage: Cocktails 8-10 euros
Opening: Monday to Thursday 18:00-02:30, Friday & Saturday 18:00-03:00, Sunday 20:30-02:30
Tel: 91 521 4960

By Tom Burgess

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1. Calle de Silva, 22

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Plaza Menor Bar: Best Spot To Start Your Night

A short walk from the famous Plaza Mayor is 10-year-old Plaza Menor, a laid-back bar that prides itself on its variety and quality of drinks and snacks.  As I walk in, Pedro, the owner, stands behind the bar squeezing limes and fiddling with the lighting.  He took over the bar 5 years ago, keeping the name and altering the decor to include sleek black leather chairs, round tile tables and the kind of soft lighting that makes you feel particularly attractive.  The bar has a cool, cave-like feeling, similar to that of the bars and restaurants situated beneath Plaza Mayor, and it is truly a perfect place to come and “chill”.

“We’ve really tried to create a place where people come for their “primera copa” (first drink).  Especially on weekends now, lots of people come in and have a tosta or a tarta and then have their first Mojito.”  Their specialty, Pedro tells me, are their Caipirinhas and Mojitos and, after tasting them, I fully concur.  As somewhat of a self-proclaimed connoisseur, I have to say that Plaza Menor’s Mojito is one of the best I have found in Madrid.  Try the delicious traditional ones or, if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, Pedro will mix up one of their famous Raspberry Mojitos for you to sip on.

Besides the vast selection of cocktails, Plaza Menor also has a huge array of teas, brought to you in dainty little silver teapots, and also serves various types of coffee.  Their “tostas” include items such as the traditional salmorejo as well as the more modern caramelized onion with goat cheese, Brie, and ham.  For those looking for something sweet, their delicious-looking “tartas” feature treats such as carrot and chocolate cake.

Designed for those looking for a quieter start to the night, Plaza Menor is not somewhere to come ready to dance, but is an ideal stop to rest from the fast-paced nightlife surrounding it. Located in La Latina, the bar’s immediate location is on a quiet pedestrian street but only blocks away from some of the most popular nightspots in town.  Soft jazz and blues music plays in the background, making it a great place to actually engage in conversation with the people you’ve presumably chosen to go out with.  The cozy hole-in-the-wall feeling also makes it quite romantic and the small sofas are perfect for fitting two.

As I prepare to leave, Pedro stops to tell me about his gin collection.  He takes great pride in having not only the normal brands, but also some rare labels, including Hendricks, Bulldog, London #1 and Pink 47.  “Other places either don’t have these types,” he explains, “or they charge between 18 and 20 euros a drink.  I charge much less, only 9 euros a drink.”  Apparently his specialty is matching each gin with a complementary slice of fruit, usually apple, strawberry or fresh ginger, depending on the type and flavor of the gin.  Though the gin selection is impressive, the bar has much more to offer, so whether you’re a gin-connoisseur or not, Plaza Menor is the perfect place to go for that “primera copa”.

Brand new terrace seating is available for those who want to sit outside.

Bar Plaza Menor
Address :  Calle Gomez de Mora, 3
Hours :    Monday – Thursday : 6 pm – 1:30 am
Friday and Saturday : 6 pm – 2:30 am
Sunday : 4 pm – midnight
Telephone :  665 813 821
Price range : 2-10
Metro : La Latina, Tirso de Molina, Sol

By Chloe Rousseau

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1. Calle de G�mez de Mora, 3

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La Divina Comedia: A Funky Furnished Bar

Walking into La Divina Comedia is like walking into an old friend’s house. Funky furniture, dim lighting and the sound of people chatting complements the music playing at a level one actually enjoys listening to. In the center of it all stand the hosts, Jimmy and Andrew. Brought up in Burgos by a Spanish father and a New-Zealander mother, these two brothers designed, and set up La Divina Comedia as a place where people could come and appreciate music. You may be imagining a grungy basement “chill” scene but, quite the contrary, La Divina Comedia exudes casual class, without even bordering on snobby. As I start chatting with the brothers, Jimmy tells me all the furniture was bought separately, at flea markets and small shops. Like their drinks, the whole layout is made completely from scratch, an assortment of personal and very carefully chosen décor. Comfortable (and rather elegant) couches, leather chairs, coffee tables and drapes create spaces for groups and couples to claim. “We wanted it to feel like a house,” says Jimmy, “somewhere where people can hang out.” The brothers bustle back and forth, making drinks, serving snacks, changing songs and greeting the odd regular with rather dashing smiles.

They tell me that the bar’s name came from a double inspiration: firstly, from Dante’s famous trilogy and secondly (and I suspect, perhaps more-importantly), from a Mexican heavy metal band of the same name. “We wanted to create a place where people could come and actually listen to music”, says Andrew, “not just have it playing in the background.” That being said, if you are looking for somewhere to jump around head-banging, this is not the place to come. The lounge-like atmosphere is very relaxed—friendly, even—and though the music is a central feature, conversation remains very possible. In fact, after a couple of their delicious Mojitos, it may be inevitable. The brothers claim that Mojitos and Caipirinhas are their specialty but, judging by their vast bar selection, it seems they are well equipped for most anything.

Another of the bar’s strong points is its location in the historic quarter of La Latina, surrounded by great eats, beautiful streets and places to go afterwards if you do feel like some crazy dancing. A useful tip for my fellow directionally-challenged: the address of the bar is a bit misleading, as it is actually to your left on Calle Segovia if you walk just out of Plaza de Puerta Cerrada. If you’re looking to go out for a slightly alternative locale, great drinks, and a lively but comfortable atmosphere where you won’t have to shout and mime your drink choices, then this is the place to go tonight. Grab some friends, a Mojito (ask for brown sugar!) and an obscenely comfortable armchair and enjoy.

La Divina Comedia
Puerta Cerrada, 7 (Calle de Segovia)
Phone: 636 664 823
Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 18:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m., Saturday-Sunday: 15:00 p.m. – close
Average drink price: 6-7 euros
Neighborhood: La Latina
Metro: La Latina, Tirso de Molina

By Chloe Rousseau

La Botica: Mix it up at this Buzzing Mezcalería

So in the land of a million bars, how do you choose where to stop off next on your night out in Madrid? Simple, they all tell you, head to Malasaña. But anyone who has been in this chic and shabby neighbourhood will know that the endless cobbled streets hold so many possible sitios that even Christopher Columbus would find it hard to discover the good and avoid the average. Well here’s one place to add to your list of ‘must drop by’ bars. La Botica on C/Palma is the only European satellite of the chain of Mezcalería bars in Mexico, specialising in the alternative to tequila, Mezcal. Made from the agave plant it’s definitely a chupito to get your chops around, and as served in La Botica you enjoy it slowly with slices of spiced fresh orange. This house speciality comes in a variety of forms and strengths, from the ‘weak’ Añejo at 40% up to the more Tyson-esque Pechuga de Pollo or Pechuga de Ángel at 52%. For those of you bandits who’ve not tried mescal before, it’s got a smoky flavour and offers a smoother taste than the majority of eye-squinting tequilas out there.

With the charm and joviality of the barmen, along with the buzz of the crowd all out to have a good night, I’d certainly recommend this place a pit stop for a chupito and cerveza. While you’re there, be sure to enjoy the weird and wonderful array of juguetes at the bar. Filling the space where you would usually find the display of tapas you can instead admire a whole host of plastic toy figures, hand-written notes and general marvellous Mexican tackery. The decoration in general is an interesting affair with a mix of a colourful wall mural that your eyes might want to avoid after a few shots of mescal, but it certainly adds to the fun and vibrant atmosphere inside. It’s one of those popular ‘stand up’ bars with a couple of tables but mainly space for being en pie rather than lounging on furniture.

The music is a bipolar juxtaposition of sonidos if ever I heard one, ranging from 80s dance through some Spanish love songs to pop tunes of the here and now, all to be heard within the same half-an-hour. But somehow it works and keeps the mood changing along with the crowd. So whether you’re up for a quick chupito or fancy staying a little longer then La Botica should be featured on your next night out in the neighbourhood.

La Botica,
Calle Palma, 2
Beverage: Chupito / Caña / Vino – 2,50 euros, Cocktails – 6 euros
Opening: Tuesday-Saturday 13:30 p.m. – 02:30 a.m.
Metro: Tribunal

By Tom Burgess

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1. Calle de la Palma, 2

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Fotomaton Bar: Live Music, Hip DJs, and Great People

We all know that finding new places around the city can be a rush, which is why when I stumbled upon Fotomaton bar in Plaza de Espana I was delighted. Truth be told, I walked by this hip bar and underground music venue multiple times before I realized the name was vertically engraved on the outside wall.

Open the heavy door and enter into a red painted paradise. Walk passed the bar and there’s a small stage where live music plays on the weekends. Over the last couple years the stage has supported groups like Tulsa, Madison Cano, Underwater Tea Party, Suburban Kids with Biblical Names, and many more alternative /indie / and up and coming artists in the city. Every group that has passed through the space signs their names on the wall in the green room. And when the live music isn’t bringing in the crowds the regular djs are, playing anything from Beastie Boys to Blondie, Abba to Wilco,  MIA to Spanish rock groups from the eighties, and anything from the sixties and seventies.

Since the establishment embodies all that is hipster – you’re likely to find a truly interesting and creative crowd. One minute you’re talking to a magazine editor and the next to Charlie Bautista. You’ll notice right away that there’s a community feel in this establishment, and the bartenders and clientele are open and chatty. Thursdays are the best nights to hit up the place and the cost won’t really set you back for the weekend. Beers are 3 euros and copas are 6 euros.

One other must to mention here is to check out the sink in the bathroom, it almost resembles a waterfall you’d find tucked away in a far off forest.

Fotomaton Bar
Plaza Conde de Toreno, 2
Hours: Thursday – Saturday 23:00 p.m. – 3:30 a.m.

Café de la Luz: The Friendliest Find in Town

Situated on the corner of two back streets in Malasaña (Calle Barco and Calle Puebla) you’ll find one of the most pleasant café experiences in the whole of the city. Café de la Luz captured my attention (and love) the first time I went there, sat at one of the high tables and noticed from my bar stool a child-size rocking chair occupied by a very full-size adult. I looked around and realized this was completely normal.

The eclectic mix of furniture is both endearing and comfortable, though fans of large sink-in sofas will have to trade for slightly more dainty seating for the most part. The white wooden panelled walls give the place an almost beach-house feel during the day and by night the space is bright and clean. Up until early evening it’s a great place to have a quiet drink and enjoy one of the great house wines or a chilled caña. And if you come later in the evening, on whatever night of the week you choose, you’ll find a great buzz with a fun and friendly crowd enjoying one of the many delicious cocktails or copas. My personal, though rather potent, favourites come from the ‘alcoholic smoothie’ menu from which you can enjoy fresh fruit smoothies served with a kick of rum, vodka, gin or whiskey that even Amy Winehouse would be proud of.

Not only is Café de la Luz a great place to come drinking, by both day and night, but it also has some tasty food items to savour. Their tostas are simple but delicious: a pretty cheap snack with a decent enough selection to cater for most palates. But if I had to make one recommendation it would have to be the crêpes served with Nutella – absolutely awesome. And wash it down with a Piña Colada and you are set for the day! Or for those of you who want to keep a clear head then there’s also a great selection of teas and coffees on offer.

But despite the great drinks, food and furniture, none of these are the reason that I love Café de la Luz, nor the reason that I keep returning there. The main reason that I am drawn back time-and-time again is the relentlessly friendly nature of all the bar staff. In a city where good customer service is almost frowned upon by servers themselves, I have found a haven of helpful, smiling and attentive service from each and every member of their team. Even when the bar gets busy in the evening I have always encountered service with a smile, a wink or even a chiste or two. So next time you are in the neighbourhood, I would definitely recommend heading to the light…

Café de la Luz
Calle de La Puebla 8 (on the corner with Calle del Barco)
Tel: 915 231 199
Metro: Gran Vía / Noviciado / Tribunal
Hours: Mon-Thurs 15:00 p.m.- 2:00 a.m., Fri & Sat 13:00 p.m.- 2.30 a.m., Sun 15:00 p.m- 1:00 a.m.
Beverage: Vino (copita) / caña 1.50 euros, copa 6 euros

By Tom Burgess

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1. Calle de la Ballesta, 7

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Cafe Populart: Jazz, Blues and Beer

Café Populart is one of Madrid’s most well known old school jazz cafes. It holds its place in the middle of raddled Huertas, the street chock full of live music venues and cocktail spots, none of which stand as a threat to the consistently popular café. Clean, classy and dependable, it opens its doors to live music acts every single night: one act from 22:30 to 12:00 and another from 12:30 to 1:30. A large drawing of the famous character from The Jazz Singer—you may not know the movie but you’ll recognize the pop cultured image easily—covers the café’s entrance, which upon entering feels like the inside of a New York jazz place somewhere in the 1940’s.

The inside holds a long bar on one side and a row of small chairs and tables that continue down the somewhat narrow corridor until reaching the small stage where jazz and blues performances are continually happening. Behind the stage, right before reaching the stairs for the toilets, is a small squared area with three more tables for seating—if you see the café is crowded, walk to this area and you may find yourself a seat. Although you may only see the band’s backs in this area, one of its perks is its great wall decoration: it is filled, though in an orderly manner, with pictures and posters which display the obvious coolness of jazz. If anyone with you claims to know much of the genre just ask them to name the names on the wall—almost all of them are there.

The ambiance of the whole place, in fact, aims to be like the one displayed in these posters. The chairs and tables are dark wood and the light comes from big beautiful round lamps that recall the street lamps from black and white Hollywood classics. There are even old brass tubas and saxophones hanging from the walls. Behind the bar drinks abound, but it’s not a good place to drink the night away unless you’ve got a lot of bills in your pocket—because there’s no cover charge the drinks get pricier. Beers are 5 euros while mixed drinks are 7 to 9 euros; if you are going for beer you’ll get more value for your money if you order the 8 euro pints than a normal brew.

If you plan to go with a group of people or definitely want a seat for the shows then it’s essential that you arrive before ten thirty. Weeknights, though also with an audience, are more relaxed, but any night between Thursday and Sunday will have enough people that it’ll be a trek to get from one side of the place to the other. Depending on the night you will find classic big band, modern or vocal jazz; same with the blues: you may come into an animated honky tonk scene or a slow and sad delta blues. Though artists come and go there are a couple of bands that have been regulars for a while at Populart, notably the big band style Canal Street Jazz Band and the jamming Ñaco Goñi & Amar Sundy Blues Band, especially good with harmonicas and guitars. Here people will lower their voices when the music gets low, which shows you what kind of place Populart is.

Cafe Populart
Calle Huertas, 22
914 298 407
Metro: Anton Martin
Hours:  seven days a week from 21:00 p.m., closing hours vary from 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.

By Daniel Sznajderman

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1. Calle de las Huertas, 22

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