Blogger has apparently been on the blink and decided to delete this post from yesterday so here it is again.
All my classes have been cancelled over the last two days, so I've had a nice little mid-week holiday to do not a lot of anything. It means my paycheck's going to suffer at the end of the month though. One of the hazards of being a self-employed teacher is that your classes can get cancelled and there's not much you can do about it. On Monday though, someone cancelled at the last minute, which meant I got paid €40 for sitting around at home for two hours. Its meant I've had some good time to sit in the sun, do some bike maintenance, and sit in cafes in Malasaña, as I'm doing now. So this seems like as good a time as any to give you a guide to the many, many bars of Malasaña, in no particular order. (Click the names for a map).
Malabar
An ideal starting point on Plaza Dos de Mayo, slap bang in the middle of Malasana, this circus themed bar has tables on the square, but don't miss out on it's cozy, nicely lit and entertaining interior and perma-friendly staff.
Garaje Sonico
Just across the street is Garaje Sonico, a dark and dingy punk dive bar with a great atmosphere and music policy taking in 60s, 70s and more modern alternative guitar music. There's a little dancefloor in the backroom too and its open late. It's not the cheapest at €3 a bottle but they have a happy hour between 10-11pm where its €7 for 2 Jagerbombs if you like that kinda thing.
La Via Lactea
Less the Milky Way, more UV lighting and skate-punk graffiti. Grab a booth or stand around the massive pool table downstairs, its usually pretty packed but would you have it any other way?
La Lolita
If the answer to that was yes, maybe you'd prefer the more laid back 50's bossa nova vibes of La Lolita (which I'm actually sitting in right now). Wi-fi during the day, buzzing with conversation at night, there's not a lot of seats but they include some comfy armchairs to sink into. A friend of mine refers to it as his 'pulling bar' because it's where he always takes girls on dates, the rascal.
La Catrina
This little Mexican bar plays up to all the stereotypes, covered in Mexican memorabilia, including a huge collection of Mexican wrestler action figures. You probably wouldn't spend the whole night here but it makes a nice little stop off.
Tupperware
I'd heard so much about Tupperware that by the time I went there I was a bit disappointed. It's one of the best known bars in Malasana but no better than the rest really. They have DJ's (as do most of these bars, even if it's just the barman most of the time) and a bit of room for dancing but it's nothing special really.
Maderfaker
This blaxploitation themed bar is actually pretty bare but the posters for classics such as 'Blacula' stare down at you from the wall with films playing on TV screens and a great soundtrack playing over the stereo.
Aroma
Two painstakingly made and delicious mojitos for €7 in an otherwise unremarkable bar. They even hand-grind the ice, bless 'em.
La Realidad
Far and away my favourite bar in Malasana and, in fact, Madrid, Realidad's walls are covered by a huge paint-by-numbers mural that has slowly been being filled in over the last 7 months. Otherwise fitted out as a hella-quirky living room, it does great, if pricey and pretentious, cocktails (is that a rose petal? Yes it is) and €3 doble's served by some of the coolest bar staff you will ever see.
El Perro de la Parte de Atrás del Coche
Roughly translating as 'The Dog That Nods It's Head In The Back Of The Car', this is a little bar-club which I've admittedly only been to once, and that was when I was very drunk, but from what I remember it was a whole lot of fun, playing what I'd call 'alternative cheese' (think The Monkees). Good for a laugh.
Taboo
Moving up the pretention-ometer, Taboo is all silly haircuts, tight jeans and loud electronic music. It's hidden away on Calle Vincente Ferrer, but inside you'll find all sorts kicking off. When I was there, the DJ was pumping a picture of Jesus in the air while a man in speedos, goggles and a swimming cap did some kind of underwater dance next to him.
Sideral
Crap ustairs but a lively little indie bar-club downstairs in the arched cellar. When it's full it's a fun place to go for a warm up drink and get an energy boost.
This is only a small cross-section of the options open to you on a night out in Malasaña, a must-do if you're visiting the city. There's also the big Pacha club next to Tribunal metro, a sprinkling of cheaper old man bars, Chueca just a hop over Calle Fuencarral and usually a load of botellon going on to boot.
Words Of The Day: Botellon - Street drinking
Caña - Small beer
Doble - Bigger beer
Jarra - Even bigger beer
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