Calle Hortaleza is wonderful in that it’s armed to the teeth with huge variety of bars suited to many different tastes and times of the evening.

A good place to start the night, and spend a good part of it, is Café Areia.

By day it's somewhere to get lunch or a snack, in the afternoon it becomes a place to chill, and by the evening the vibe has hotted up enough for a cool crowd that passes through on their nightly tour of the city.

Areia is dark and moody; its décor reminiscent of an exotic boudoir, inviting its punters into an environment of intimacy and seduction.

Whimsical interiors, funky lo-fi music and lots of hanging lanterns make this one of the most relaxing cafés in a neighbourhood full of them.

New ownership brings a randomly international menu with dishes from couscous to chop suey to chocolate cake and a wide selection of teas.

This is the largest of a chain of bars with the same name. It opened in 1909 and has retained many of its charming original interior features, such as the high ceilings and interesting photos of old Madrid.
It is a great place, very simple, but spacious and light inside with a wide counter and mirrored walls.
A predominantly young clientele come here to enjoy the unique range of tapas, and is a great place for a drink after visiting the cathedral.

A small charming bar with a youthful atmosphere located in one of Madrid's best areas for tapas. The bar also serves excellent cold meats and a good selection of wines.

It is much more than a tavern. During the day, you can enjoy their gastronomic offers, while at night it turns into a party place.

Yet another haunt of the indefatigable Hemingway, Chicote is now a favorite of beautiful people and the huge local gay scene.

A doyenne of the cocktail scene, the place boasts a veritable who’s who of portraiture up on the walls (including Dalí, Lorca, Buñuel, Almodóvar and duh, Hemingway), and has reputedly seen the likes of Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly sipping on finely tuned cocktails.
Cocktail hour starts around midnight and the Madrileños love their cocktails.

It has survived the worst of the Civil War but now chooses the sounds of DJs over those of incoming shells. The bar comes into its own late evening-early night.

There are still people who don't know about Naturbier brewery; the only one that makes its only beer. Right in the center of Madrid, the healthiest beer can be drunk - A unique place in the capital.
On a nice square in central Madrid, you can eat-drink inside or out on the patio or out in the square. Their beers have no additives and are all natural. Food included canapes, sausages, cheese, fish, fois gras, salads, paella, raciones, portions, and desserts.

This club is known for its exciting jazz groups, who encourage the audience to dance.

It specializes in Brazilian, Afro-bass, reggae, and new-wave African music. When the music starts at 11:30pm, the drink prices nearly double.

When it opened in 1929, this was the first ham and charcuterie shop in Madrid. Locals of all ages chat over drinks and tapas at this haven of old charm in fashionable Chueca.

During the week is the best time to go if you're looking to have a nice bottle of wine with some tapas. If you're in the mood for more of a crowd definitely stop by Stop Madrid on the weekends.

The bar is a typical Spanish style Taberna. Of the 50-strong wine list, all are available by the bottle and the glass

It’s the oldest bar in Madrid but just retains the bar from that era. Fine wines and tapas in a warm friendly atmosphere.
It also has a dining room in the back for dinner. This bar claims to be the oldest in Madrid, and has been remodeled but has a beautiful antique wooden bar.
King Alfonso XII reportedly used to frequent this bar when he needed to escape the nearby royal palace for a clandestine tipple.