If you’re looking for an authentic Spanish experience, look no further than the thriving metropolis of Madrid. Renowned as one of the most queer-friendly cities in the world, it has an overwhelming amount of museums, a flourishing gayborhood, massive green spaces, and a cafe culture that could rival Paris. The best time to visit Madrid is in the Spring or Fall as the winters can be dreary and the late summers are so hot that many Madrileños leave for Spain’s numerous beach towns.
Cheuca and Malasaña
After the fall of the Franconian dictator in 1975, these two adjacent neighborhoods just north of the central business district began to explode with art, culture, and queer liberation. Later known as the “La Movida Madrileña”, (The Madrid Movement), the Malasaña neighborhood, in particular, was the inspiration for famed gay filmmaker Pedro Almodovar’s early films and was a New Wave haven for icons such as Alaska (not the drag queen) and Locomía. The Cheuca neighborhood, like many queer neighborhoods globally, was known as a dangerous drug-filled no man’s land where many businesses were boarded up in the 1970s. Beginning in the 1980s, many queer people began to move into the neighborhood and opened businesses leading to one of the largest gay districts in Europe. Both neighborhoods have an array of vintage stores, hip coffee shops, rowdy nightlife options, chic restaurants, and plenty of narrow winding streets.
Shopping
In general, there are a lot of vintage clothing stores, unique boutiques, and brand-name shops around the Tribunal subway station in Malasaña and the nearby Chueca station. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Magpie Vintage
- Flamingo Vintage
- Addicted Madrid
- MUJI
- Chopper Monster
- La Intrusa Malasaña
- Polemo Shop
Dining
You’ll find numerous quaint cafes, intimate bars, and charming restaurants that spill into the streets and plazas throughout Madrid. You are not expected to have a full meal at most outdoor cafes, so sip on a coffee or glass of wine and enjoy the free tapas until you’re ready to pick a place to dine.
La Bicicleta Malasana: Known for its tasty brunch, signature cocktails, and third-wave coffee menu, this hip cafe is a great place to fuel up before you explore Madrid.
Bodega de La Ardosa: A popular place to get traditional Spanish tapas and wine with authentic decor.
Bosco de Lobos: Italian dining set inside the garden of an architectural college. Rustic squid ink pizza, fresh pasta, and an impressive list of wines are a must-try.
Nightlife and Bars
It’s no secret that Spaniards like to party, and they do so late into the night…. and sometimes into the next day. Madrid offers plenty of gay nightlife options, whether you’re looking for a cheeky drag show or a steamy rave that goes until dawn.
La Kama Bar: One of the larger clubs in Chueca, where you’ll find muscle queens, twinks, and circuit music.
La Via Lactea: Want the complete Almodovar fantasy? Drop into this rowdy mixed-crowd dive bar for a beer. This place gets packed and the revelry often spills out into the streets.
Sala Republik Club: Mixed gay/straight club that hosts Baila Minitel. The basement room features sweaty techno bangers during this party, while the main floor rotates from reggaeton to pop. The DJs in this crew host lots of other underground parties, so follow them on social media to find out where to dance in Madrid.
Pub Gris: Alternative gay bar in Chueca with neon backlighting, 80s decor, and rotating DJs. Start your party out here before a night of dancing.
LL Bar: Small rowdy drag bar with nightly shows that draws a younger crowd. Try your hand on a weeknight or early in the night to avoid standing room only.
Bears Bar: The name says it all. You’ll find Madrid’s bear community and their admirers clinking glasses in this laid-back pub.
Outside of Cheuca and Malasaña
Most of queer life revolves around these two neighborhoods, but Madrid has much to offer outside these areas, especially museums and parks.
El Retiro Park: Madrid’s giant municipal park could be said to be the city’s lungs, but it also features an incredible Rose Garden and the Crystal Palace Art Gallery. Plus, it is the most famous location for cruising in the city.
Museo La Neomudejar: Urban gallery with provocative avant-garde installations, performance art, and soundscapes that push the boundaries. The building holds relics of its industrial past as a railway workshop.
San Miguel Market: Indulge in this foodie paradise. Set in a stunning cast iron 1916 food market, choose from a wide variety of fresh seafood, signature cocktails, premium coffee, and elevated traditional tapas.
Sorolla Museum: Set in the elaborately decorated former home of impressionist painter Joaquín Sorolla, the museum displays a large display of the artist’s most famous paintings, ornate ceramics, and decor from Madrid in the early 1900s.
