Sunday, October 26, 2008
Un viaje viene....
Amigos en Madrid! Ya tenemos billetes para regresar... Todos los bares tienen ahora otra oportunidad para ganar (o perder!) puntos... jeje. Llegaremos allí en Madrid un par de días antes de la Noche Vieja. Ten cuidado, Madrid... ya venimos. =)
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Adios, Madrid =(
If you are reading this, I am no longer in Madrid. Nat & I officially left 7 days ago, on May 24th, and the adjustment to VT has been hard, to put it gently. He dejado parte de mi alma allí y te prometo que regresaremos.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Deseo
Bar or Club? bar with space to dance
Location: c/ Echegaray, 13
Metro: Sevilla
Pros: they have Carlsberg, great music, good mix of Spanish music and mainstream remixes, free chupitos (like a mini tequila sunrise), 2 bars, awesome staff, dartboard!, cheap drinks (2-for-9 on weekdays, 2-for-10 cocktails on weekends, beer for 3 euro), space to sit, big screen that plays music or concert vids, terrific vibe, Raúl makes a mean mojito
Cons: weirdly crowded on Mondays, crowded on weekends, crowd can be a little young
Drinks to Order: mojito, Tanqueray & tonic, bourbon & Sprite or ginger ale, caramel vodka & vanilla batido, Eristoff black & manzana, Alto del Carmen & ginger ale, gin & melocotón
Drinks to Avoid: piña colada
Random fact: One bar is called "Odio". And South America is sufficiently represented.
Verdict: um, 10!
Location: c/ Echegaray, 13
Metro: Sevilla
Pros: they have Carlsberg, great music, good mix of Spanish music and mainstream remixes, free chupitos (like a mini tequila sunrise), 2 bars, awesome staff, dartboard!, cheap drinks (2-for-9 on weekdays, 2-for-10 cocktails on weekends, beer for 3 euro), space to sit, big screen that plays music or concert vids, terrific vibe, Raúl makes a mean mojito
Cons: weirdly crowded on Mondays, crowded on weekends, crowd can be a little young
Drinks to Order: mojito, Tanqueray & tonic, bourbon & Sprite or ginger ale, caramel vodka & vanilla batido, Eristoff black & manzana, Alto del Carmen & ginger ale, gin & melocotón
Drinks to Avoid: piña colada
Random fact: One bar is called "Odio". And South America is sufficiently represented.
Verdict: um, 10!
Las Cuevas de Sesamo
Bar or Club? bar
Location: c/ Príncipe, 7
Metro: Sevilla
Pros: sangría, sangría, sangría (oh yeah, and cool decor)
Cons: smoky, crowded, really hot, hard to find (entrance is inside a building, bar is in the basement)
Drinks to Order: sangría, sangría, sangría
Drinks to Avoid: we're not sure they have anything else
Random fact: They have quotes painted on the wall. (And it's actually a lot like a cave.)
Verdict: 6.1
Location: c/ Príncipe, 7
Metro: Sevilla
Pros: sangría, sangría, sangría (oh yeah, and cool decor)
Cons: smoky, crowded, really hot, hard to find (entrance is inside a building, bar is in the basement)
Drinks to Order: sangría, sangría, sangría
Drinks to Avoid: we're not sure they have anything else
Random fact: They have quotes painted on the wall. (And it's actually a lot like a cave.)
Verdict: 6.1
Black Jack
Bar or Club? bar/discoteca (partnered with bars Hamlet and Mikonos -- both on same street)
Location: c/ Príncipe, 11
Metro: Sevilla
Pros: 2 floors, 2 diff. styles of music (techno-type downstairs, Latin flavor upstairs), open every day, open til 6
Cons: drinks 8 euro
Drinks to Order: Martini con limón, gin & tonic
Drinks to Avoid: got nothin.
Random fact: We met someone named Bongo there.
Verdict: 5.3
Location: c/ Príncipe, 11
Metro: Sevilla
Pros: 2 floors, 2 diff. styles of music (techno-type downstairs, Latin flavor upstairs), open every day, open til 6
Cons: drinks 8 euro
Drinks to Order: Martini con limón, gin & tonic
Drinks to Avoid: got nothin.
Random fact: We met someone named Bongo there.
Verdict: 5.3
Vektrum (Sala Flamingo)
Bar or Club? club
Location: c/ Mesoneros Romanos, 13 (right off Gran Vía)
Metro: Callao
Pros: open til 5am, free entrance til 2am, free entrance after 2am with VIP card, different than other clubs we've been to, electronica/house music
Cons: only open on Thursdays, drinks 8-10 euro, pretty empty even after 2am
Drinks to Order: got nothin.
Drinks to Avoid: got nothin.
Random fact: There are 3 other clubs that share the same space (Sala Flamingo)-- one is electropop/rockotrónica, one is 70's/prehistoric (whatever that means...) and one is reminiscent of the 60's.
Verdict: We really weren't there long enough to give a verdict.
Location: c/ Mesoneros Romanos, 13 (right off Gran Vía)
Metro: Callao
Pros: open til 5am, free entrance til 2am, free entrance after 2am with VIP card, different than other clubs we've been to, electronica/house music
Cons: only open on Thursdays, drinks 8-10 euro, pretty empty even after 2am
Drinks to Order: got nothin.
Drinks to Avoid: got nothin.
Random fact: There are 3 other clubs that share the same space (Sala Flamingo)-- one is electropop/rockotrónica, one is 70's/prehistoric (whatever that means...) and one is reminiscent of the 60's.
Verdict: We really weren't there long enough to give a verdict.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Style Up (NEW!)
Bar or Club? funk/disco club
Location: Plaza de Callao, 4
Metro: Callao
Pros: funky music, good place to find disco (rare in Madrid!), big dance floor, lots of places to sit, good location, DJ, you can get on the guest list (you+up to 3 others) if you email listastyleup@yahoo.es
Cons: gotta get there really late because it was empty until at least 2:30am, expensive drinks (9 euro), random people in costumes that work there (still not sure why), only open on Thursdays
Drinks to Order: gin & tonic, gin & melocotón
Drinks to Avoid: got nothin.
Random fact: We saw this crazy Asian dancer girl... She had moves that were crazy... like a fox.
Verdict: hard to say because it is new and the word isn't quite out yet... but we'll give it a 5.5. It has potential.
Location: Plaza de Callao, 4
Metro: Callao
Pros: funky music, good place to find disco (rare in Madrid!), big dance floor, lots of places to sit, good location, DJ, you can get on the guest list (you+up to 3 others) if you email listastyleup@yahoo.es
Cons: gotta get there really late because it was empty until at least 2:30am, expensive drinks (9 euro), random people in costumes that work there (still not sure why), only open on Thursdays
Drinks to Order: gin & tonic, gin & melocotón
Drinks to Avoid: got nothin.
Random fact: We saw this crazy Asian dancer girl... She had moves that were crazy... like a fox.
Verdict: hard to say because it is new and the word isn't quite out yet... but we'll give it a 5.5. It has potential.
Cardamomo
Bar or Club? flamenco bar (but shows are only on Tuesdays & Wednesdays)
Location: c/ Echegaray, 15
Metro: Sevilla
Pros: good sangría, good mixed drinks, male flamenco dancer is amazing (!), flamenco musicians are good, singer is good, you can watch flamenco for a small price (10 euro including drink)
Cons: super-crowded on flamenco nights, very little seating, small bar, badly-placed column that blocks a lot of peoples' views of the stage
Drinks to Order: gin & juice, sangría, Martini con limón
Drinks to Avoid: got nothin.
Random fact: No matter how many times you meet the PR guy outside, he will always tell you the same thing... (if it's a Friday) "Today is Friday, so there's no espectaculo, but if you come back on Wednesday it will be better because there will be an espectaculo."
Verdict: 7ish
Embassy (restaurant terrace)
Bar or Club? there's a restaurant, a delicatessen, and a terrace in the middle of Castellana
Location: Paseo de la Castellana, 12
Metro: Colón
Pros: you can sit outside
Cons: we had a rude waiter and a confused waiter, waitstaff spends more time enjoying their own drinks (and cigarettes) than making yours, expensive drinks (8,50 euro for mixed drinks)
Drinks to Order: gin & tonic
Drinks to Avoid: anything involving rum "because there are many kinds of rum" (hence the rude waiter... just avoid the whole conversation)
Random fact: You can get food from the restaurant (it's fun because you get to order, then watch the waitstaff sprint across the street to get it).
Verdict: 2
O'Connors
Bar or Club? Irish pub
Location: c/ Almagro, 3
Metro: Alonso Martínez
Pros: they have Foster's & Beamish! plenty of seating, you can sit outside, seating downstairs as well, pretty inexpensive beer (3,50-ish), cool decor, laid-back, open from noon on...
Cons: not open very much/very long, hard to figure out when it is open (no info on site and 90% of the time we walk by and it's closed)
Drinks to Order: Foster's, Beamish
Drinks to Avoid: we like our Foster's
Random fact: Once we went and there was a weird hat party going on. We unfortunately did not get the memo.
Verdict: 5.873
Location: c/ Almagro, 3
Metro: Alonso Martínez
Pros: they have Foster's & Beamish! plenty of seating, you can sit outside, seating downstairs as well, pretty inexpensive beer (3,50-ish), cool decor, laid-back, open from noon on...
Cons: not open very much/very long, hard to figure out when it is open (no info on site and 90% of the time we walk by and it's closed)
Drinks to Order: Foster's, Beamish
Drinks to Avoid: we like our Foster's
Random fact: Once we went and there was a weird hat party going on. We unfortunately did not get the memo.
Verdict: 5.873
O'Sun
Bar or Club? bar (with dance floor?)
Location: c/ de La Paz, 5
Metro: Sol
Pros: claim to have hip-hop/R&B/funk
Cons: hard to get in when it's closed
Drinks to Order: got nothin. literally. we could not get anything.
Drinks to Avoid: got nothin.
Random fact: We were invited to go here by a PR guy (aka guy in street with cards), but when we arrived we could not get in because the door was bolted shut. The PR guy obviously did not get the memo.
Verdict: hard to say...
Location: c/ de La Paz, 5
Metro: Sol
Pros: claim to have hip-hop/R&B/funk
Cons: hard to get in when it's closed
Drinks to Order: got nothin. literally. we could not get anything.
Drinks to Avoid: got nothin.
Random fact: We were invited to go here by a PR guy (aka guy in street with cards), but when we arrived we could not get in because the door was bolted shut. The PR guy obviously did not get the memo.
Verdict: hard to say...
Sugar & Spice (@ Lokua)
Bar or Club? club
Location: Paseo de la Florida, 2
Metro: Príncipe Pío
Pros: awesome music, best place in Madrid to find hip-hop/R&B/rap, cool music, guest DJs every week, tons of space for dancing, space to sit (couches), great music, open til 6
Cons: drinks 8 euro, they don't play reggaeton as promised, random live music, ONLY OPEN ON SATURDAY NIGHTS
Drinks to Order: vodka & melocotón, gin & tonic
Drinks to Avoid: screwdriver
Random fact: bartenders = eye candy
Verdict: 9.5
Location: Paseo de la Florida, 2
Metro: Príncipe Pío
Pros: awesome music, best place in Madrid to find hip-hop/R&B/rap, cool music, guest DJs every week, tons of space for dancing, space to sit (couches), great music, open til 6
Cons: drinks 8 euro, they don't play reggaeton as promised, random live music, ONLY OPEN ON SATURDAY NIGHTS
Drinks to Order: vodka & melocotón, gin & tonic
Drinks to Avoid: screwdriver
Random fact: bartenders = eye candy
Verdict: 9.5
Urban Café Madrid
Bar or Club? bar
Location: Pza. de San Martín, 3
Metro: Callao, Ópera
Pros: free mini-cocktails, cool vibe, pretty upscale, sweet decor (urban skylines, etc.), lots of TVs, couches, plenty of seating, beer for 3 euro, good place to start your night, modern
Cons: only open til 2am, cocktails are expensive (7-9 euro)
Drinks to Order: vermouth
Drinks to Avoid: grappa
Random fact: When we were there, they were playing a Madonna concert on the TV...
Verdict: 6
Location: Pza. de San Martín, 3
Metro: Callao, Ópera
Pros: free mini-cocktails, cool vibe, pretty upscale, sweet decor (urban skylines, etc.), lots of TVs, couches, plenty of seating, beer for 3 euro, good place to start your night, modern
Cons: only open til 2am, cocktails are expensive (7-9 euro)
Drinks to Order: vermouth
Drinks to Avoid: grappa
Random fact: When we were there, they were playing a Madonna concert on the TV...
Verdict: 6
Saturday, April 26, 2008
La Noche
Bar or Club? bar with small dance floor
Location: c/ de Toledo
Metro: La Latina?
Pros: open late
Cons: putibar (and i mean old whores -- a fact which was not revealed to us until after we arrived), bad music, no reggaeton (they claimed to have it), 9 euro to get in (includes drink) even if you walk in with the bar owner's son, crappy decor, plenty of couches (but on their last breath, just like the crowd there)
Drinks to Order: just don't go.
Drinks to Avoid: just avoid the whole place. really.
Random fact: There is only one bathroom stall for the ladies, which is not good when an ancient dinosaur pukes all over the floor right before you get in there...
Verdict: -45.2
Location: c/ de Toledo
Metro: La Latina?
Pros: open late
Cons: putibar (and i mean old whores -- a fact which was not revealed to us until after we arrived), bad music, no reggaeton (they claimed to have it), 9 euro to get in (includes drink) even if you walk in with the bar owner's son, crappy decor, plenty of couches (but on their last breath, just like the crowd there)
Drinks to Order: just don't go.
Drinks to Avoid: just avoid the whole place. really.
Random fact: There is only one bathroom stall for the ladies, which is not good when an ancient dinosaur pukes all over the floor right before you get in there...
Verdict: -45.2
(Teatro) Joy Eslava
Bar or Club? club
Location: c/ Arenal, 11
Metro: Sol
Pros: get in free with flyer (DO THE FLYER DEAL), 2-for-10 drinks before 1:30, mainstream music, Joy FEVER is every Thursday (80's music), drag show, lots of couches and tables, open til 6 am fri & sat
Cons: lots of Americans, sort of a "Girls Gone Wild" atmosphere, most people are there to hook up (so if that's not what you want to do, it can be a problem), drinks without the flyer are 11 euro!
Drinks to Order: Jack & coke, Hennessey & coke, gin & tonic, vodka & piña o melocotón
Drinks to Avoid: got nothin
Random fact: They occasionally have girls in glass boxes pretending to be Barbies ...
Verdict: 4.1
Location: c/ Arenal, 11
Metro: Sol
Pros: get in free with flyer (DO THE FLYER DEAL), 2-for-10 drinks before 1:30, mainstream music, Joy FEVER is every Thursday (80's music), drag show, lots of couches and tables, open til 6 am fri & sat
Cons: lots of Americans, sort of a "Girls Gone Wild" atmosphere, most people are there to hook up (so if that's not what you want to do, it can be a problem), drinks without the flyer are 11 euro!
Drinks to Order: Jack & coke, Hennessey & coke, gin & tonic, vodka & piña o melocotón
Drinks to Avoid: got nothin
Random fact: They occasionally have girls in glass boxes pretending to be Barbies ...
Verdict: 4.1
Café Manuela
Bar or Club? café
Location: c/ San Vicente Ferrer, 29
Metro: Tribunal
Pros: good place if you want to go out early and hang out with friends, they have tons of boardgames, good batidos, they have café food and beer, too
Cons: there are lights, so if you're already in the nightlife mode, it's not the right place to go
Drinks to Order: vanilla batido
Drinks to Avoid: got nothin
Random fact: They have Scategories.
Verdict: 6.2
Location: c/ San Vicente Ferrer, 29
Metro: Tribunal
Pros: good place if you want to go out early and hang out with friends, they have tons of boardgames, good batidos, they have café food and beer, too
Cons: there are lights, so if you're already in the nightlife mode, it's not the right place to go
Drinks to Order: vanilla batido
Drinks to Avoid: got nothin
Random fact: They have Scategories.
Verdict: 6.2
Sweet
Bar or Club? club
Location: c/ Doctor Corteza, 1
Metro: Tirso de Molina
Pros: close to Pizza de la Cabeza (c/ de la Cabeza), close to Metro Tirso de Molina, short walk from Calle de la Cruz and Calle Echegaray (where there are much better places to hang out)
Cons: supposedly a hip-hop/funk/reggaeton/rap club, but when we went there it was empty and they were playing really bad old school stuff. plus, there is an entry fee unless you show up with someone who works there
Drinks to Order: don't bother cuz you won't be staying long enough to drink it.
Drinks to Avoid: just avoid Sweet in general, because it ain't that sweet.
Random fact: hmm...
Verdict: 1.5
Location: c/ Doctor Corteza, 1
Metro: Tirso de Molina
Pros: close to Pizza de la Cabeza (c/ de la Cabeza), close to Metro Tirso de Molina, short walk from Calle de la Cruz and Calle Echegaray (where there are much better places to hang out)
Cons: supposedly a hip-hop/funk/reggaeton/rap club, but when we went there it was empty and they were playing really bad old school stuff. plus, there is an entry fee unless you show up with someone who works there
Drinks to Order: don't bother cuz you won't be staying long enough to drink it.
Drinks to Avoid: just avoid Sweet in general, because it ain't that sweet.
Random fact: hmm...
Verdict: 1.5
Boca del Lobo
Bar or Club? bar with space for gettin' up off that thing
Location: c/ Echegaray, 11
Metro: Sevilla
Pros: live music, DJ, two floors, 2 bars, space for dancing, mix of funky music and Spanish tunes
Cons: drinks are 8 euro, music is hit-or-miss
Drinks to Order: vodka con melocotón o con piña, gin & tonic
Drinks to Avoid: got nothin.
Random fact: They played "Sesame Street".
Verdict: 6
Location: c/ Echegaray, 11
Metro: Sevilla
Pros: live music, DJ, two floors, 2 bars, space for dancing, mix of funky music and Spanish tunes
Cons: drinks are 8 euro, music is hit-or-miss
Drinks to Order: vodka con melocotón o con piña, gin & tonic
Drinks to Avoid: got nothin.
Random fact: They played "Sesame Street".
Verdict: 6
Felicia
Bar or Club? bar
Location: c/ Echegaray, 12
Metro: Sevilla
Pros: free sangría (and maybe cañas) or chupitos, music is decent (Spanish music)
Cons: supersmoky sometimes, packed to the brim on weekends
Drinks to Order: sangría
Drinks to Avoid: got nothin.
Random fact: got nothin.
Verdict: 5
Location: c/ Echegaray, 12
Metro: Sevilla
Pros: free sangría (and maybe cañas) or chupitos, music is decent (Spanish music)
Cons: supersmoky sometimes, packed to the brim on weekends
Drinks to Order: sangría
Drinks to Avoid: got nothin.
Random fact: got nothin.
Verdict: 5
Xarandonga
Bar or Club? bar (2 floors with dancing space, 2 bars)
Location: c/ Echegaray, 16
Metro: Sevilla
Pros: tasty free (mostly juice) shots, upstairs music is better than downstairs (more mainstream)
Cons: every Wednesday night is Argentinian night (cool if you are Argentinian, but not if you are not, because the music is superhard to dance to), music downstairs usually stinks, upstairs is often closed (weekdays)
Drinks to Order: martini con limón, screwdriver
Drinks to Avoid: got nothin.
Random fact: There is a toilet seat in the ladies room that is clear and has sand and seashells in it. Also, they randomly play "Grease Megamix".
Verdict: 4
Location: c/ Echegaray, 16
Metro: Sevilla
Pros: tasty free (mostly juice) shots, upstairs music is better than downstairs (more mainstream)
Cons: every Wednesday night is Argentinian night (cool if you are Argentinian, but not if you are not, because the music is superhard to dance to), music downstairs usually stinks, upstairs is often closed (weekdays)
Drinks to Order: martini con limón, screwdriver
Drinks to Avoid: got nothin.
Random fact: There is a toilet seat in the ladies room that is clear and has sand and seashells in it. Also, they randomly play "Grease Megamix".
Verdict: 4
Bambata
Bar or Club? bar
Location: c/ de Huertas, 22 (en Plaza de Matute)
Metro: Sol, Tirso de Molina
Pros: good sangría, decent music, copas 2-for-9 euro til 12:30, good vibe
Cons: got nothin.
Drinks to Order: sangría
Drinks to Avoid: haven't ordered enough to say
Random fact: Bambata is a type of marijuana that comes from south-west Africa. This has absolutely nothing to do with the bar.
Verdict: 5.9
Location: c/ de Huertas, 22 (en Plaza de Matute)
Metro: Sol, Tirso de Molina
Pros: good sangría, decent music, copas 2-for-9 euro til 12:30, good vibe
Cons: got nothin.
Drinks to Order: sangría
Drinks to Avoid: haven't ordered enough to say
Random fact: Bambata is a type of marijuana that comes from south-west Africa. This has absolutely nothing to do with the bar.
Verdict: 5.9
Sol y Sombra
Bar or Club? bar with dance space
Location: c/ Echegaray, 18
Metro: Sevilla
Pros: you can dance if you wanna, free chupitos, decent music, couches if you're tired, funky decor
Cons: drinks are 8 euro, music is inconsistent (sometimes good, sometimes random crap)
Drinks to Order: mojito, gin & tonic, Jack & coke
Drinks to Avoid: free rum shots (ask for something else)
Random fact: cool bathrooms
Verdict: 5.7
Location: c/ Echegaray, 18
Metro: Sevilla
Pros: you can dance if you wanna, free chupitos, decent music, couches if you're tired, funky decor
Cons: drinks are 8 euro, music is inconsistent (sometimes good, sometimes random crap)
Drinks to Order: mojito, gin & tonic, Jack & coke
Drinks to Avoid: free rum shots (ask for something else)
Random fact: cool bathrooms
Verdict: 5.7
Mebas
Bar or Club? bar
Location: c/ de Huertas, 3
Metro: Sol, Sevilla
Pros: decent music, 5 euro drinks, decent vibe, you can draw on the walls
Cons: back room is packed with youngsters, this street is packed with underage kids (either botellón-ing or just making mischief), closes early
Drinks to Order: martini con limón
Drinks to Avoid: haven't ordered enough to say
Random fact: You really CAN write on the wall. And there's a sort-of mural of the sights of Madrid.
Verdict: 5
Location: c/ de Huertas, 3
Metro: Sol, Sevilla
Pros: decent music, 5 euro drinks, decent vibe, you can draw on the walls
Cons: back room is packed with youngsters, this street is packed with underage kids (either botellón-ing or just making mischief), closes early
Drinks to Order: martini con limón
Drinks to Avoid: haven't ordered enough to say
Random fact: You really CAN write on the wall. And there's a sort-of mural of the sights of Madrid.
Verdict: 5
La Cosa Nostra
Bar or Club? bar
Location: c/ de la Cruz, 3
Metro: Sol, Sevilla
Pros: free sangría, sangría is delicious, they have food late at night, good selection of food, 2 floors (bar downstairs with standing room, sit-down area upstairs), sweet selection of beers
Cons: we got nothin.
Drinks to Order: sangría or beer
Drinks to Avoid: haven't ordered enough to say
Random fact: Mafia obsession is obvious... sweet decor
Verdict: 5.5
Location: c/ de la Cruz, 3
Metro: Sol, Sevilla
Pros: free sangría, sangría is delicious, they have food late at night, good selection of food, 2 floors (bar downstairs with standing room, sit-down area upstairs), sweet selection of beers
Cons: we got nothin.
Drinks to Order: sangría or beer
Drinks to Avoid: haven't ordered enough to say
Random fact: Mafia obsession is obvious... sweet decor
Verdict: 5.5
Corleone
Bar or Club? bar
Location: c/ Nuñez de Arce, 3
Metro: Sol
Pros: free chupitos, drinks 2-for-12 euro, has a DJ
Cons: empty if you get there too early, chupitos are mostly juice
Drinks to Order: haven't ordered any
Drinks to Avoid: haven't ordered any
Random fact: we got nothin.
Verdict: 4
Location: c/ Nuñez de Arce, 3
Metro: Sol
Pros: free chupitos, drinks 2-for-12 euro, has a DJ
Cons: empty if you get there too early, chupitos are mostly juice
Drinks to Order: haven't ordered any
Drinks to Avoid: haven't ordered any
Random fact: we got nothin.
Verdict: 4
Villa Rosa
Bar or Club? bar with small dance floor
Location: Plaza Santa Ana, 15
Metro: Sol
Pros: decorated with azulejos (tiles), free chupitos (we once got chocolate vodka mixed with something)
Cons: empty if you get there too early
Drinks to Order: haven't ordered any
Drinks to Avoid: haven't ordered any
Random fact: Used to be a flamenco bar.
Verdict: 5
Location: Plaza Santa Ana, 15
Metro: Sol
Pros: decorated with azulejos (tiles), free chupitos (we once got chocolate vodka mixed with something)
Cons: empty if you get there too early
Drinks to Order: haven't ordered any
Drinks to Avoid: haven't ordered any
Random fact: Used to be a flamenco bar.
Verdict: 5
EnBa Bia
Bar or Club? bar
Location: c/ Nuñez de Arce, 9
Metro: Sol
Pros: decent tunes, drinks 2-for-10 euro, free chupitos or caña, open til 5:30am, some American music
Cons: if you come after 1am you have to pay 7 euro (that includes first drink), caña is Mahou, lots of Shakira, back bartender is sometimes drunk so cannot make your drink correctly
Drinks to Order: martini con limón
Drinks to Avoid: Mahou
Random fact: There are messages from past bar-visitors etched into /drawn on the wall
Verdict: 6
Location: c/ Nuñez de Arce, 9
Metro: Sol
Pros: decent tunes, drinks 2-for-10 euro, free chupitos or caña, open til 5:30am, some American music
Cons: if you come after 1am you have to pay 7 euro (that includes first drink), caña is Mahou, lots of Shakira, back bartender is sometimes drunk so cannot make your drink correctly
Drinks to Order: martini con limón
Drinks to Avoid: Mahou
Random fact: There are messages from past bar-visitors etched into /drawn on the wall
Verdict: 6
La Ofrenda
Bar or Club? bar
Location: c/ de Colón
Metro: Tribunal
Pros: awesome tunes on some nights, rock/alternative, open super-late (til 6am on weekends), they make a mean martini con limón
Cons: can be really over-crowded on weekends because it's the only place in the area still open at 5am, crowd can be a weird mix of people, drinks 8 euro, music is not consistent
Drinks to Order: Heineken, martini con limón, rum & coke
Drinks to Avoid: nothing so far!
Random fact: A bunch of 17-year-olds showed us this place...
Verdict: 8
Location: c/ de Colón
Metro: Tribunal
Pros: awesome tunes on some nights, rock/alternative, open super-late (til 6am on weekends), they make a mean martini con limón
Cons: can be really over-crowded on weekends because it's the only place in the area still open at 5am, crowd can be a weird mix of people, drinks 8 euro, music is not consistent
Drinks to Order: Heineken, martini con limón, rum & coke
Drinks to Avoid: nothing so far!
Random fact: A bunch of 17-year-olds showed us this place...
Verdict: 8
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Star Café
Bar or Club? bar with dancefloor
Location: c/ Serrano Jover, 5
Metro: Argüelles
Pros: open bar (aka sangría, wine and beer) every Wednesday for 5 euro 11:30-12:30, beer pong / beirut table, decently-priced drinks, good music, sometimes live music
Cons: when they run out of sangría they will try to pawn off Kalimocho/Calimocho (cheap wine mixed with cheap cola), lots of American students, random weird theme nights (unless that's what you're into)
Drinks to Order: stick to beer and sangría
Drinks to Avoid: kalimocho
Random fact: I got mooned by a man in spandex while walking home from here...
Verdict: 5.2
Location: c/ Serrano Jover, 5
Metro: Argüelles
Pros: open bar (aka sangría, wine and beer) every Wednesday for 5 euro 11:30-12:30, beer pong / beirut table, decently-priced drinks, good music, sometimes live music
Cons: when they run out of sangría they will try to pawn off Kalimocho/Calimocho (cheap wine mixed with cheap cola), lots of American students, random weird theme nights (unless that's what you're into)
Drinks to Order: stick to beer and sangría
Drinks to Avoid: kalimocho
Random fact: I got mooned by a man in spandex while walking home from here...
Verdict: 5.2
Bar Miguel Ángel
Bar or Club? bar
Location: c/ Miguel Ángel, 5
Metro: Rubén Darío
Pros: close to Rubén Darío, close to Shabay, close to VIPS, close to Barclay's Bank, close to Wagaboo
Cons: lots of suits letting off steam after work, bad drinks, expensive drinks, bartenders are not clear when you ask them what they have, they may or may not have sangría (we still don't know.)
Drinks to Order: none
Drinks to Avoid: rum & coke
Random fact: Syracuse kids call it BMA.
Verdict: 1
Location: c/ Miguel Ángel, 5
Metro: Rubén Darío
Pros: close to Rubén Darío, close to Shabay, close to VIPS, close to Barclay's Bank, close to Wagaboo
Cons: lots of suits letting off steam after work, bad drinks, expensive drinks, bartenders are not clear when you ask them what they have, they may or may not have sangría (we still don't know.)
Drinks to Order: none
Drinks to Avoid: rum & coke
Random fact: Syracuse kids call it BMA.
Verdict: 1
(Venta) El Buscón
Bar or Club? bar (more restaurant-like during dinner-hours)
Location: c/ Victoria, 5
Metro: Sol
Pros: funky tribal music, samba?
Cons: pretty small, you really have to like their kind of music, drinks are expensive
Drinks to Order: (only ordered rum & coke)
Drinks to Avoid: rum & coke
Random fact: bouncer drinks coke.
Verdict: 3
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
La Vía Lactea (aka. the Milky Way)
Bar or Club? jazz/funk bar
Location: c/ Velarde, 18
Metro: Tribunal, Bilbao
Pros: good vibe, funky music, awesome dancer guy in suit, you can also hear some random salsa music, funky war decor
Cons: smoky
Drinks to Order: Foster's
Drinks to Avoid: haven't tried enough drinks to render a verdict here.
Random fact: I got nothin.
Verdict: 6.5
Location: c/ Velarde, 18
Metro: Tribunal, Bilbao
Pros: good vibe, funky music, awesome dancer guy in suit, you can also hear some random salsa music, funky war decor
Cons: smoky
Drinks to Order: Foster's
Drinks to Avoid: haven't tried enough drinks to render a verdict here.
Random fact: I got nothin.
Verdict: 6.5
Areia Colonial Chill Out
Bar or Club? like a hookah bar without the hookah -- there are couches & pillows
Location: c/ Hortaleza, 92
Metro: Alonso Martinez, Gran Vía
Pros: relaxed atmosphere, good vibe, cushions if you're lucky enough to snag one, decent music
Cons: it's a make-out place (but that's cool if that's what you wanna do), crowded on weekends, hard to snag seats
Drinks to Order: Heineken
Drinks to Avoid: haven't tried enough drinks to render a verdict here.
Random fact: There's a fishtank.
Verdict: 6.5
(http://www.areiachillout.com/)
Location: c/ Hortaleza, 92
Metro: Alonso Martinez, Gran Vía
Pros: relaxed atmosphere, good vibe, cushions if you're lucky enough to snag one, decent music
Cons: it's a make-out place (but that's cool if that's what you wanna do), crowded on weekends, hard to snag seats
Drinks to Order: Heineken
Drinks to Avoid: haven't tried enough drinks to render a verdict here.
Random fact: There's a fishtank.
Verdict: 6.5
(http://www.areiachillout.com/)
La Fontana de Oro
Bar or Club? bar with dance floor
Location: c/ Victoria, 1-3
Metro: Sol
Pros: you can usually find a place to sit (either upstairs or downstairs), some American music (you will hear things you haven't heard in years), you may see a minor celebrity from a game show, you may meet people with great hair
Cons: you have to pay to enter, drinks are expensive and weak, can be really crowded on the weekend, you may be bothered by people who cannot take hints, occasionally people dance on the stage and drop glasses, too many American students for my taste
Drinks to Order: Guinness, Killian's, white russian (although it was made incorrectly)
Drinks to Avoid: most of them
Random fact: There's a Knight statue in the basement.
Verdict: 4
Location: c/ Victoria, 1-3
Metro: Sol
Pros: you can usually find a place to sit (either upstairs or downstairs), some American music (you will hear things you haven't heard in years), you may see a minor celebrity from a game show, you may meet people with great hair
Cons: you have to pay to enter, drinks are expensive and weak, can be really crowded on the weekend, you may be bothered by people who cannot take hints, occasionally people dance on the stage and drop glasses, too many American students for my taste
Drinks to Order: Guinness, Killian's, white russian (although it was made incorrectly)
Drinks to Avoid: most of them
Random fact: There's a Knight statue in the basement.
Verdict: 4
O'Connell St.
Bar or Club? Irish bar with dance floor (next door to Dubliner's)
Location: c/ Espoz y Mina, 7
Metro: Sol
Pros: you can meet a TON of people (this may be good OR bad), good location, cheap beer (bucket of 6 Heinekens or Coronitas for 15€), decent mostly-American music (better than Dubliner's), TVs but less than Dubliner's, you can get Guinness there, they speak English
Cons: some creepy man may offer to buy you a Coke, repetitive music, don't use crushed ice in cocktails, also nuts when Brits are in town for football matches, you will run into the same people every time you go there, there are a TON of American students in there (this may be good OR bad as well)
Drinks to Order: mojito (with dark rum), buckets of beer, Guinness, Long Island/Long Beach iced tea (if you like it strong), sex on the beach, BMW
Drinks to Avoid: caipiriña, bombay, white russian
Random fact: A lot of Romanians work there.
Verdict: 3.5
Location: c/ Espoz y Mina, 7
Metro: Sol
Pros: you can meet a TON of people (this may be good OR bad), good location, cheap beer (bucket of 6 Heinekens or Coronitas for 15€), decent mostly-American music (better than Dubliner's), TVs but less than Dubliner's, you can get Guinness there, they speak English
Cons: some creepy man may offer to buy you a Coke, repetitive music, don't use crushed ice in cocktails, also nuts when Brits are in town for football matches, you will run into the same people every time you go there, there are a TON of American students in there (this may be good OR bad as well)
Drinks to Order: mojito (with dark rum), buckets of beer, Guinness, Long Island/Long Beach iced tea (if you like it strong), sex on the beach, BMW
Drinks to Avoid: caipiriña, bombay, white russian
Random fact: A lot of Romanians work there.
Verdict: 3.5
Dubliner's
Bar or Club? Irish bar
Location: c/ Espoz y Mina, 7
Metro: Sol
Pros: good location, cheap beer (bucket of 6 Heinekens or Coronitas for 15€), free tapas occasionally late at night, decent mostly-American music, lots of TVs, good place to watch sports, one of the few places to get Guinness, free shots, they speak English
Cons: sometimes a weird crowd, repetitive music, mixed up orders, super stale tortilla chips, avoid the blonde waitress, often don't use crushed ice in cocktails, when Brits are in town for football matches it's a madhouse (avoid!!), there are a TON of American students in there (so if you are trying to go somewhere that's "authentically Spanish" this is not the place)
Drinks to Order: mojito (with dark rum), buckets of beer, Guinness, Long Island/Long Beach iced tea, sex on the beach
Drinks to Avoid: BMW, bombay, white russian
Random Fact: We met an opera singer and a life coach there. There is also a random bookshelf.
Verdict: 3
Location: c/ Espoz y Mina, 7
Metro: Sol
Pros: good location, cheap beer (bucket of 6 Heinekens or Coronitas for 15€), free tapas occasionally late at night, decent mostly-American music, lots of TVs, good place to watch sports, one of the few places to get Guinness, free shots, they speak English
Cons: sometimes a weird crowd, repetitive music, mixed up orders, super stale tortilla chips, avoid the blonde waitress, often don't use crushed ice in cocktails, when Brits are in town for football matches it's a madhouse (avoid!!), there are a TON of American students in there (so if you are trying to go somewhere that's "authentically Spanish" this is not the place)
Drinks to Order: mojito (with dark rum), buckets of beer, Guinness, Long Island/Long Beach iced tea, sex on the beach
Drinks to Avoid: BMW, bombay, white russian
Random Fact: We met an opera singer and a life coach there. There is also a random bookshelf.
Verdict: 3
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