Madrid is a vibrant, fun-loving, bustling place at any hour of the day, but at night-time the city really comes alive. The nightlife here is legendary, with everything from cool, hipster bars tucked away in ancient alcoves to gigantic super-clubs that rival anything on the continent.
There’s something for everyone here: large groups looking for a big night, students looking for cheap thrills, and the more refined partiers who want to add a bit of class to their evening out. The city truly never does sleep, and you won’t want to either after reading our guide to Madrid after Dark.
Fabrik
Go big or go home might as well be the official motto of Fabrik in Humanes de Madrid. It’s a sign of how incredible the nights out here are, that it can attract enough people to fill its 4,000-person capacity despite being a thirty minute bus ride from the centre of Madrid, although they often put on special shuttles to and from the city centre for partygoers at a pretty reasonable cost of EUR 2-3 (GBP 1.80 – 2.70). It’s often seen as the peak of Madrid nightclubs despite its location, and most punters just party until 6am when the metro starts again.
Once you do get to the venue it’s easy to be swept along in the crowd. There are three massive rooms spread across Fabrik, each of which would have their own claim to be one of the best clubs in Madrid, but are all packed into this one super-club.
The music is mostly focused on House and Electronic but there are specialist nights on and a roster of guest DJs keeping the mix fresh throughout the year. The main thing to be aware of here is that a pre-paid ticket is the best option, otherwise you might be stranded on the outskirts of Madrid waiting for a shuttle bus to take you back!
Delirio
One of the most iconic gay clubs in Madrid, and frankly one of the best clubs in Madrid in general, Delirio is open all day as a Madrid gay bar, but shifts into something special at night. Like most gay clubs, it’s located in Chueca, known as the gay area in Madrid, and is open every day of the week. Entertainment here isn’t limited to music: go-go dancers and drag acts flitter in and out throughout the evening, meaning you’re never short of something to watch.
The club is very cosy, and is open until the early hours of the night, only really getting busy after 1am like a lot of other Madrid clubs.
The staff are all very welcoming regardless of your orientation or preferences, and drinks are quite reasonable for the area, although the bar can get crowded in peak times. Entrance fees change depending on what event is on, but sometimes there are no fees whatsoever.
Goya Social Club
Hardcore clubbers and electronic music aficionados visiting Madrid need to spend a night in this underrated club. Just a little out the way from the city centre, Goya Social Club is real clubber’s club, with a focus on deep house and techno, and a raft of visiting world class DJs throughout the year.
The venue itself is underground, adding to the guerrilla feel of the entire thing. It’s a lot smaller than some of the other venues on the list with a capacity of 200, but when you’re in there it feels like a lot more. The more compact space also gives it a generally friendlier feel, and tickets for nights do tend to sell out fast. Drink costs here are about on a par with other nightclubs, although again the smaller venue means bar staff are often happy to free pour, so remember to smile and tip!
Teatro Kapital
A Madrid nightclub institution, Teatro Kapital is famous for having seven floors of fun. Each floor has a slightly different vibe, but crowds move throughout the venue during the night, so if you’re looking for a place that will please a large group, there’s nowhere better to head.
Located right in the heart of the Spanish capital, Teatro Kapital is also the most conveniently located introduction to Madrid nightlife.
The floors each specialise in something: the main ground floor plays House and Dance music, the 1st floor is a more private area for smaller groups and bottle service, the 2nd floor is home to karaoke, the 3rd floor focuses on Hip Hop and RnB, the 4th floor is a higher-end cocktail bar, the 5th floor play more commercial music and Reggaeton, the 6th floor specialises in Mojitos and Cuba Libres, and the top floor is a gorgeous terrace with stunning views (and the smoking area). Entrance prices vary but if you get there before 1.30am you can get in for EUR 18 (GBP 15.50), which includes two drinks.
Joy Eslava
Open for four decades and utilising the architecture of a 19th century theatre, Joy Eslava is without a doubt one of the best clubs in Madrid. Open every day, the club plays a mixture of electronic and commercial music, although they do also have specialist nights and live acts. The venue itself is spread across four floors and is right in the heart of the city, so easy to get to at any time of night. The crowd varies but you’ll usually find young professionals and other tourists hitting the dance floor here.
Joy Eslava is an ideal option for larger groups thanks to its bustling nature and city centre location. If you call ahead, you might even be able to finagle a drinks or entrance fee discount if you are part of a large group. Otherwise, entrance is usually around EUR 15 (GBP 13) and drinks can be quite dear. The venue is open until the early hours of the morning too, and – like most bigger venues in the Spanish capital – usually only hots up from after 1am.
Studio 54
Freedom and fun are the key drivers behind this nightclub, inspired by the famous Studio 54 from the halcyon days of the New York social scene. Located in Chueca, known as the gay area in Madrid, this is one of the most famous gay bars in Madrid, although people of all sexual persuasions are welcome (and encouraged) to come and join the fun. The music varies but there is a focus on pop queens and 80’s disco, although they do often slip in some commercial house music for the electro-heads and sometimes have specialist acts. The décor is over the top, with Swarovski crystal chandeliers hanging above the dancefloor and an illuminated glass walkway to get into the venue, but there’s nothing pretentious about this Madrid gay club.
Prices are quite dear compared to some other nearby venues, but Studio 54 is great for larger groups and will take reservations, which is a plus. Entry prices vary but you’re usually looking at around EUR 15 (GBP 13), which is standard for the area.
