In Spain, there’s a somewhat quirky little verb, “trasnochar,” which loosely interprets to ‘celebration via the evening.’ This provides you indication of Spain’s all-in angle to nightlife. Consuming with your folks on a sunny terrace or in a charismatic, energetic bar is inherent to Spanish tradition, and naturally, Spain’s capital metropolis is the perfect place to dive headfirst—or every other physique half first—into it. Nowhere is that this more true than in Madrid’s homosexual neighborhood of Chueca, the place you might be by no means at a loss to discover a place to have a drink, with a myriad of various homosexual bars to select from all via the week—particularly on the weekend.
Every bar has its personal distinct character, so listed below are ten of the crème de la crème to go to on any alcohol-fueled journey to Chueca—whether or not as the primary occasion, a part of a bar crawl, or a precursor to a wild evening destined to conclude with a drunken 7 a.m. membership exit.
El 12
If there’s a bar that almost all epitomizes the spirit of Chueca, El 12 is it. Half bar, half membership, it is without doubt one of the hottest bars in Chueca. You’ll find all kinds of LGBTQ+ folks right here, from bears to twinks to muscle bunnies. It gives a little bit of every little thing, from drag exhibits to iconic native DJs. There are both cozy couches on the entrance to absorb the ambiance or a small however energetic dance ground on the again—every with its personal bar. Open until 3 a.m., on weekdays it’s THE place to be—try Thursday nights particularly for a palpable Chueca-style ambiance. On weekends, it will get busy sufficient to warrant a queue outdoors and is a good pre-club location to satisfy fun-focused guys. There’s even a quaint darkroom discreetly tucked behind the bogs downstairs, good for any newfound buddies you would possibly make upstairs.
Thick
Thick is a bar that solutions the age-old query: is girth extra necessary than size? Nicely, actually the bar has sufficient of each to attract in and accommodate a decent-sized crowd, particularly over the weekends. The purple lighting and enjoyable pop music give it a pre-club celebration vibe. Bears make up nearly all of the group (a reoccurring theme, as bears aren’t briefly provide in Madrid, and Madrid should be a contender for bear capital of the world a this level), however in Thick every type are welcome. One other plus is that the employees are notably pleasant, and the drinks moderately priced.
D´Mystic
This nice lounge bar simply off the primary plaza is as cozy because it will get in Chueca. You’ll discover loads of seating room—together with cushioned seats by the home windows on the again. D’Mystic is ideal for teams who wish to hang around, sip cocktails, try sizzling guys, and luxuriate in some high quality dialog with out having to shout over loud music. That’s to not say it isn’t energetic; particularly throughout the weekends, it fills with a combined crowd having fun with some pre-drinks.
La Kama (Café and Bar)
La Kama is definitely two venues, each of which ramp up the gayness a notch, as evidenced by the undeniably buff—generally topless—barmen and the bar’s cool jungle-like decor. The café has two flooring, loads of seating, serves meals throughout the day, and has an in depth cocktail record. It additionally options out of doors seating and a balcony to benefit from the passing hotties that inhabit Chueca. La Kama Bar, however, is extra rambunctious and performs loud music, good for getting within the temper for a whole evening out. There isn’t a dance ground per se, however this doesn’t cease folks from dancing, and it’s probably the greatest locations to satisfy the sort of buddies who’re more likely to present you which ones golf equipment to move to later within the evening.
Gris
Gris isn’t particularly a homosexual bar, however it’s iconic, and this attracts in a predominantly homosexual crowd searching for one thing a bit totally different. The vibe is 80s, so you’ll be able to anticipate to listen to Depeche Mode and Fleetwood Mac taking part in on the display screen behind the bar and all through the venue. Moody blue lighting provides to the ambiance upstairs, and downstairs there’s a hangout space with desk soccer to amp up the enjoyable. They typically have 2-for-1 drink gives, and on weekends, they often host native DJs taking part in 80s classics to bop to on their modest dance ground.
You & Me
When you’re searching for a classier ambiance, then You & Me is the bar for you. The boys listed below are impeccably dressed, and it’s particularly standard with handsome Latin American males. The music matches the clientele, so you’ll be able to anticipate reggaeton and bachata together with extra traditional pop hits. The entire bar is successfully a dance ground, and it fills up throughout the weekends with an entrance payment that features a drink.
Black and White
Black and White is without doubt one of the oldest homosexual bars in Madrid—open for the reason that 80s—and a well-liked traditional consuming gap for each locals and guests. Right here, you’ll discover a good combination of ages and kinds of LGBTQ+ clientele. Upstairs on the bar is the primary gathering level, with drag exhibits happening on a small stage, whereas downstairs is a dance ground taking part in predominantly Spanish pop music. Simply remember to look ahead to the hire boys, as you’ll discover a whole lot of twinks right here trying to cost you to take them residence.
LL Bar
Right here, the drag exhibits are the primary attraction. The present kicks off every evening between 11:30 and midnight, however arriving earlier secures you a drink particular. LL Bar’s exhibits are intimate, and as a foreigner, you might be virtually assured to be playfully heckled by the Spanish and Latin American drag queens performing should you come from the door mid-show. After the performances end, the place tends to empty, however it’s a fantastic place to begin the evening should you like drag and don’t thoughts being a part of the present your self.
Barbanarama
In addition to having the good identify in Chueca, this bar is the place to be should you like twinks and pure unapologetic cheese. It takes a RuPaul’s Drag Race theme and runs with it. Not solely does it characteristic cardboard cutouts of essentially the most well-known drag queens on its partitions, however it additionally hosts common showings of the favored present on its screens. These showings get packed, and the ambiance rivals that of any soccer recreation—with the group cheering and booing the queens as they battle it out throughout lip syncs. On a daily evening, Barbanarama is simply good old style homosexual enjoyable, drawing a youthful crowd trying to get a couple of drinks in earlier than heading to a membership.
Zarpa
Simply off Plaza de Pedro Zerolo (a well-known homosexual activist in Spain) is one other bear bar that has a number of the greatest vibes in Chueca. Zarpa is a superb alternative for anybody – bear or not – who desires to get into the spirit – or spirits – earlier than going out to the golf equipment (or Rik’s across the nook). On weekends, they host DJs and the reasonably-sized dance ground is at all times full. A cool choice of bear heads in numerous gear marks the bar as being for bears, however the crowd is combined and is particularly welcoming to members of the kink neighborhood.
Rik’s
Are you in Chueca, it’s 1 a.m., and also you don’t wish to go clubbing however nonetheless wish to dance till 4 a.m.? Then Rik’s is your greatest guess. It’s large enough to straddle the road between bar and membership, with a big sufficient dance ground to benefit from the mixture of pop hits performed by its host DJs most nights of the week. The favored bar is designed and impressed by Casablanca, giving it a classy look, however it’s removed from pretentious. Rik’s can be the place males of all ages hang around, and generations bond over a mutual love of low-cost drinks and tacky music. Be warned, as there’s typically a one-in, one-out queue should you arrive late, and there’s a small entrance payment that features both two beers or a spirit mixer.
Normal Recommendation
Chueca has a whole lot of bars that didn’t make the record, however that doesn’t imply they aren’t price trying out. A number of honorary mentions are Sizzling and Bears Bar as different choices for the hirsute lovers. In the meantime, there’s Twist and Shout for gaymers, Why Not for one more bar/membership hybrid, and Vuélvete Loco for Latin American vibes. There are, in fact, a lot of cruising bars too should you’re feeling frisky throughout the early hours.
In Spain, folks are likely to exit later, and locations don’t are likely to refill till round midnight—in any case, dinner often isn’t concluded till 10 p.m. The very best time to hit the bars is round 11 p.m. to keep away from any queues but in addition forestall being alone in an empty bar. It pays to not assume all of the bartenders communicate English—though many do—so you’ll be well-served to know how you can order your favourite drinks in Spanish earlier than hitting Chueca.
On that be aware, the drinks additionally are usually a lot stronger. Spirits with a mixer are generally known as “copas” and are the equal of a triple in most international locations—generally much more should you flash the bartender a profitable smile. It’s not unusual for drinks, reminiscent of a gin and tonic, to come back in glasses the scale of a small fishbowl! Simply one thing to remember should you’re attempting to tempo your self to trasnochar within the metropolis that actually by no means sleeps.