Areia

Hortaleza, 92

Metro: Alonso Martinez

If it's a "so-hip-it-hurts" atmosphere you're after then check out the newly opened Areia.  What was once an old Irish bar has been decked out with sofas so comfy they're practically beds as well as cool decor and great DJs.  It's a good place to chill out or neck.

Daily: Noon-3am

Bash Line

Plaza Callao, 4

Metro: Callao / Gran Via

Hip-hop is a much maligned genre in Madrid, but it gets a regular outing on Wednesday nights at Bash Line.  There's r'n'b on the agenda too.  Popular with the student population, there's an international vibe at these nights.

Wednesdays: midnight-6am

Black Jack

Metro: Sol

 It's free to get in so everyone who is looking to hook up with tourists goes to Black Jack.  It is full of tourists and Spanish guys.  The music is terrible and the dance floor is the size of a bathroom.  NO WHERE else to go at 5:00am.   It is always packed, sweaty and smoky.  It has two floors, each with a bar.

Cover Charge: No.

Campus Bar

Paseo Juan XXIII, 22

Metro: Metropolitano

If it's a bit of Spanish you're after, try Campus Bar.  A popular one for students, there are plenty of drinks offers and the music is a touch more española than the other places listed here.

Daily: 6pm-6am

Cartuja

Metro: Sol

Cartuja always has a line to get in. It has 2 bars and a funky dance floor.  It has a step in the middle of it, which is a guarantee to cause accidents.  They play the latest Pop chart hits, even though one time they played a Sevillana, that was weird.  it's cool and I'd go again.

Cover Charge: Yes.

Chango

Covarubias, sem-esq Luchana

Metro: Bilbao

If it's quality house music you're after, Chango is a must.  The venue is a converted theater, and the promoters make good use of the stage, with go-gos, break dancers and live musicians accompanying the soulful soundtrack.

Friday & Saturday: midnight-6am

Deep

Paseo Hermita del Santo, 48

Metro: Puerto del Angel

One of the hottest nightspots of the moment is the verysuccessful Deep.  The DJ roster is impressive, with residents JL Magoya and Juan Sanchez being bolstered by the presence of John Digweed, Angel Molina and Carl Cox to name a few.  It goes on until 8:30am, takes place in a great venue and counts on a really up-for-it crowd.

Friday: midnight-8:30am

Kapital

Atocha, 125

Metro: Atocha

There's something for everyone at Kapital - well, a place with 7 floors is bound to have a lot going on, isn't it?  Yes, 7 floors, you heard me right.  Count them for yourself.

Friday & Saturday: midnight-6am

Ministry of Sound

Pl Estacion de Chamartin

Metro: Chamartin

A more internationally recognized super-club is to be found every Saturday night at Macumba in the shape of Ministry of Sound.  The resident DJs are home grown, but expect to see guest DJs from the Ministry stable passing through.  The venue is airy and quite enormous (albeit a bit grubby) and the sound system is one of the best in Madrid. 

Saturdays: midnight-6am

OHM

Plaza Callao, 4

Metro: Callao / Gran Via

For a more polysexual environment, give OHM a try.  For 4 years the OHM DJs have rocked an up-for-it crowd with house that oozes funk and keeps you rooted to the dance floor.  Arguably the best gay club in Madrid.

Friday & Saturday: midnight-6am

Oui

Marques de Santa Ana, 11

Metro: San Bernardo

With morecharacter than 3 London Bars put together, Oui is an unmissable stop on your pre-club tour of Madrid.  Located in Malasaña, the layout is interesting, the music minimal and spacey, the bar staff super-friendly and the prices reasonable.

Wednesday-Sunday: 10pm-3am

The Room

Arlaban, 7

Metro: Sevilla

An absolute Madrid classic, this club benefited from a complete facelift last year.  The decor is great, the visuals and lighting impressive, the music sublime and the crowd fantastic.  Give this one a look.

Friday & Saturday: 1am-7am

Siroco

San Dimas, 3

Metro: Noviciado

When all of the house and techno gets too much, Siroco is what you need.  The decor is strictly 60s and the music policy a very open one, with everything from 80s rock to 90s acid jazz and jungle.

Thursday-Saturday: midnight-6am

Taboo

San Vicente Ferrer, 23

Metro: Tribunal

Check out their website www.taboo-madrid.com to find out what's on because you are bound to find something you like.  Expect plenty of live acts showcasing reggae, Asian influences, ethnic sounds, jazz, funk and electronica.  Something very different in a central location, this one you won't want to miss.

Daily:  10:30pm-6am

Villa Rosa

Metro: Sol

Villa Rosa is one of those places you go to at like 4:30 in the morning cause you are just not ready to go home yet. The only thing is that this place does charge.  Villa Rosa is big and spacious, but the dance floor is small and elevated so people fall off often, they play the latest chart hits and have 2 bars.

Cover Charge: Yes.

SALSA DANCING

Randall

Metro: Plaza de España

It is big, nice, clean, and has a dance floor.   It is really spacious and has a large dance floor, and lots of couches to lounge on.  It also has two very large bars.

Cover Charge: Yes.

El Son

Metro: Sol

This place has one bar, it has a very small dance floor, and doesn´t play the best salsa around.  It is more of a pick up joint than anything.  But at 5:00am, if you still want to party, El Son is open and is always packed.

Cover Charge: Yes.

Azucar

Metro: Atocha Renfe

It is very small and crowded and has a terrible dance floor. The dance floor is small, and then it also has a big pillar right in the middle of the dance floor.  It's  kind of a sleazy joint.

Cover Charge: Yes.

Cardamomo

Metro: Sol

Cardamomo being in the heart of the "Huertas" area, is always packed, especially on Saturdays.  This place plays a variety of Salsa and Pop Flamenco.  It is hard to dance there cause it is really packed.  There are 2 bars and the place can get really smoky.  It is really lively though, highly suggested you go on a Friday instead of a Saturday.

Cover Charge: No.