The Best Places to Drink in Madrid!
Madrid is calling! The Spanish capital is one of the most popular destinations for Brazilians—and for good reason.
If you’re planning a trip to Madrid and want to discover the best bars for a great night out, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve created an exclusive interactive map to help you find the city’s coolest spots, tailored to your style and preferences. Click, explore, and uncover your new favourites!
This map is updated as we find more wonderful places to recommend!
Last updated: 27/01/2025
With Traditional Food
Gastro-Markets
With Free Tapas
Atmosphere
📷 For Photos
How to Use the Map
This map was created on Google Maps and shows our favourite bars in Madrid organised by category.
Click the side menu icon to choose the categories you’re interested in.
Click each marker to open a small window with more information about the location. To close it, click the arrow to the left of the title or anywhere outside the box.
Use the full-screen icon to expand the map and view it in full screen.
Click the star next to the map’s name to save it to your personal Google Maps and access it easily later.
Important Information
What are tapas?
Tapas are small portions of food typical in Spain, served in bars and restaurants to accompany drinks. They can range from something simple, like olives, bread with tomato, or fried potatoes, to more elaborate dishes, such as croquetas de jamón, tortilla de patatas, or seafood. In many traditional bars—especially in places like Madrid and Granada—it’s common for tapas to be offered free of charge. For instance, you order a beer (caña) and receive a small portion of food along with it.
Free Tapas and Drink Prices
If a bar offers free tapas, the drink might be more expensive to make up for the cost. That means in bars where you get a generous tapa at no extra charge, it’s common for a beer or wine to cost around €3 to €5. In places with very cheap drinks (like €1 or €2), it’s likely the tapas are simpler—or may not be offered at all.
On the other hand, in bars where tapas are charged separately, portions are usually larger and more elaborate, almost like small dishes in their own right. It’s all about weighing up the cost versus what you get: if you want hearty, tasty tapas, it might be worth going somewhere the drinks are cheaper but the tapas are charged separately.
Etiquette for Arriving and Ordering in Bars and Restaurants
Here are a few important points:
- Tipping: It’s not mandatory, but leaving some loose change (around 5% to 10% of the bill) is appreciated, especially in traditional bars.
- Don’t just grab any table: In many bars—particularly busy ones—you may need to order at the counter first or wait for a waiter to show you a table. Sitting without ordering or guidance can cause discomfort.
- Counter vs. Table: Standing at the counter is often cheaper in many bars. Sitting at a table inside may have a higher cost, and outdoor seating can sometimes involve an extra charge or even a separate menu with different prices. If you want to save money or just need a quick stop, the counter is your best bet.
Bread and Water on the Bill
In Spain, bread is almost always charged separately, usually costing between €0.50 and €3. Restaurants or bars often bring bread automatically, even if you didn’t ask for it. If you don’t want to pay for it, it’s perfectly acceptable to return it as soon as it’s placed on the table. If you decide to eat it, it will be added to your bill—even if it’s not explicitly listed on the menu.
For water, it’s important to specify if you want tap water (which is drinkable). Ask for “un vaso de agua” (a glass of water) or “agua del grifo” if you don’t want to pay for bottled water, which is usually the default option in most restaurants and bars.
