Things to do in Madrid at Night – An Insider’s Guide

Eat at the world’s oldest restaurant

There are few things more amazing in the city than spending a night in the Sobrino de Botín, officially the oldest restaurant anywhere in the world and one of the most famous Madrid night-time attractions. Founded in 1725, the building is rich in history and tradition. The original wood fired oven is still used to create many of the delicious dishes just as they were centuries ago, and even romantic painter Francisco Goya was said to have worked there as a waiter before he entered art school. Today, the restaurant serves authentic, traditional Spanish favourites such as roast suckling pig and Cocido Madrileño alongside a world-class wine selection. Be warned though, the title of oldest restaurant brings many tourists, so booking a table is definitely recommended. You can call them yourself or if you’re staying in a hotel have them arrange it for you.

Photo: Max Alexander / PromoMadrid - Wikicommons

Go for night out in Tupper Ware

Kitsch and over the top, iconic nightclub Tupper Ware is the stuff of legend amongst Madrid’s nightlife regulars. The club is located in the Malasaña district which over the past thirty years has become the hipster part of the city, so if you’re searching for where to go in Madrid at night then this is good place to start. The bar itself is both weird and wonderful, and is filled with retro decorations from the 1970’s and beyond such as Star Wars memorabilia and fake-fur rugs. It’s famous for its eclectic mix of musical genres and depending what night you go on it could be anything from Hip-Hop to electronic music, or classic rock to jazz. This means that Tupper Ware attracts a real wide range of people from student hipsters as well as an older crowd too. An experience like no other, this is definitely one of the more alternative things to do in Madrid.

Go to the theatre

Theatre and performance is very important culturally in Madrid and there are countless shows, theatres and festivals on all year round. Perhaps the most famous area would be Gran Vía, the street that houses many of the city’s major theatres such as the world famous Lope de Vega. This is the place that shows some of the world’s biggest musicals and is currently home to one of the most celebrated of all time; The Lion King. If you want something a bit more unique to the city, then a trip to the Royal Theatre to see an opera is the best way to go. It has become one of the most important cultural institutions in all of Spain and hosts shows from all over the world as well as premiering many productions from the biggest names in the Spanish theatre. You won’t find this on any cheap things to do in Madrid at night lists though, as tickets can cost well over one hundred Euros.

Go for some evening drinks

Enjoying an ice cold caña or a refreshing cocktail on of the city’s many beautiful terraza’s is a big part of Madrid culture and possibly the most popular thing to do in Madrid at night. There are so many places to choose from, but one of my personal favourites and bit of an under-appreciated gem is the Madrid Reina Victoria hotel roof terrace that overlooks the beautiful Plaza de Santa Ana. The building itself is stunning and the views across the city are even better. Another great place to go is La Latina district, an area of the city that is famous for having some of the best bars and tapas as well as many plaza’s such as it’s Plaza de La Cebada. Madrid’s nightlife in this area is authentic and many of the bars and restaurants have been in operation for many years. It is popular though, so it’s best to come down during the week or early in the day.