Last updated on June 8, 2016
The vino connoisseurs from Madrid Wine Tours reveal the very best wine bars in Madrid.
Madrid has more bars per capita than any other city in Europe, which means the only problem you’re likely to have is deciding where to go.
From traditional bodegas to local neighbourhood wine bars, here are a few essential places to start your enological tour of the Spanish capital!
La Venencia ~ Traditional Jerez Sherry Wines in the City Centre
Often referred to as “the one bar you must visit in Madrid”, La Venecia is like stepping back in time to 1930s Madrid and was a favourite watering hole of Ernest Hemingway. Inside, a row of large wine barrels invite you to taste of an extraordinary selection of sherry wines, ranging from dry “vino fino” to the very sweet and dense Pedro Ximénez.
Address: La Venencia, Calle de Echegaray 7, Madrid, Spain
Nearest Metro: Sol
Vinícola Mentridana ~ Old World Charm in the Cosmopolitan Lavapiés Barrio
Close your eyes and try to imagine the centre of Madrid in the beginning of the 20th century… The marble countertops of the bars, the metallic columns, the wooden shelves with vertically alined bottles. You have just dreamed that you were on Calle San Eugenio, 9, inside Vinícola Mentridana. Everything is archaic, simple, and pleasant.
Relax by yourself or with company and have a glass of wine or a vermouth with a quiche or a tosta with sobrasada.
Address: Calle de San Eugenio, 9, 28012 Madrid
Nearest Metro: Antón Martín or Lavapiés
Stop Madrid ~ Madrid’s Essential “Jamón and Wine” Experience
Wine and Spanish ham are the soul of this traditional local establishment. For a long time, it was a wine and ham store until it was transformed into a tavern in the early 80s. It is located very close to Gran Vía and is one of the great classics of the wine route of Madrid. It is worth it to honour its name by making a “stop” and soaking in the authentic atmosphere.
And due to its origins, a plate of Iberian meats and ham are, without a doubt, the perfect pairing for the wine.
Address: Calle Hortaleza, 11, 28004
Nearest Metro: Gran Via
Bodega de La Ardosa ~ Hip Bodega in Barrio de Maravillas
Situated very close to the popular pedestrian street of Fuencarral is Calle Colón where the infamous Madrid neighbourhoods of Chueca and Malasaña meet (formerly known as “barrio de Maravillas”). When you reach number 13, you will find the unmistakable façade of Bodega de La Ardosa. The bright red woodwork and its antique signs scream, “temple of wine and tapas”.
Ask for their wine recommendations (or vermouth) and a be sure to pair your drink with portion of their delicious tortilla or croquetas.
Address: Calle de Colón, 13, 28004
Nearest Metro: Tribunal
Bodegas Rosell ~ A Tempting Tavern by the Train Tracks
Very close to the Atocha train station, on Calle General Lacy 14, you can find this tavern which opened its doors in the year 1920. The façade features mosaics made of talaverana ceramic tiles, inviting you to drink vermouth and wines of Valdepeñas. Tapas are enjoyed while standing (as usual) or you can enjoy a relaxed meal at the restaurant, which maintains a traditional local feel.
Order a white wine fermented in the barrel, paired with their most typical tapa, the Rosell bacalao or codfish, which is marinated in a delicious olive oil where bread is more than welcome.
Address: Calle del General Lacy, 14, 28045, Madrid
Nearest Metro: Palos de la Frontera
El Quinto Vino ~ Old School Bodega in Cuatro Caminos
In the area of Cuatro Caminos, we suggest that you conduct an experiment: ask someone where they recommend you to go for wine. The general consensus will not fail and most will send you to Calle Hernani, number 48. Internet and social networks will do the same. The tavern, which is also a restaurant, is considered “new” when compared with the others on this list, having been inaugurated in 1995.
There are many options to pair the wine at El Quinto Vino, but if we want to make it to the fifth (quinto) glass, perhaps we may want to try something more filling such as the oxtail or the carrillera stew cooked in red wine.
Address: Calle de Hernani, 48, 28020 Madrid
Nearest Metro: Cuatro Caminos
Taberna Arzábal ~ Contemporary Sophistication
A modern wine bar with an extensive wine list and, at the same time, an extraordinary restaurant. They have a second location in the Sabatini building of the National Museum Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. The original is located in one of the most affluent districts of the capital, this being evident in their business concepts: freshness and quality of the produce, variety of the menu (especially in their wines offered by the glass), avant-garde decoration, wealthy but young and informal crowd, and prices as expected according to these elements.
A sautéed rice with truffles and mushrooms paired with a glass of cava is one of the most demanded and exquisite pairings.
Address: Calle Menéndez Pelayo, 13, 28009 Madrid
Nearest Metro: Príncipe de Vergara or Ibiza
Entrevinos ~ Cheese and Wine Utopia
Entrevinos means “among wines” and there are numerous and extraordinary wines by the glass, perfect for pairing with cheese. Although there are plenty of food options on the menu, our recommendation is to order a plate of 5 artisanal cheeses.
If you are a true foodie, ask for the 7-cheese plate or one of the delicious cheeses from Extremadura.
Address: Calle de Ferraz, 36, 28008 Madrid
Nearest Metro: Ventura Rodríguez
La Chula de Chamberí ~ Trendy Wine and Seafood
La Chula is not a particularly large place but it boasts a large menu for a snack or tapas or something more substantial. The wine list aims to impress by offering new choices every so often and always a nice variety of options to choose from. It has a modern look, although far from being pretentious as its name suggests in Spanish.
If you prefer red wines you can ask for a grilled foie with peach or, if you prefer whites, you can pair a glass with a cazuelita of verdinas with clams.
Address: Calle Fernando el Santo, 11, 28010 Madrid
Nearest Metro: Alonso Martínez
Taberna del Chato ~ Fresh Flavours in the Centre
Differentiate or die. There are those who die and then there’s Taberna del Chato. From the beginning, they had it clear that they were going to live and live large. One way they differentiated themselves was by completely changing the concept behind the short glasses used for drinking a “chato” of wine. Here they use the chato glasses for serving its culinary specialties in a unique and appealing presentation.
Prawns and a white wine from Rueda will help get you started but it will certainly not be your last “chato” of wine or of delicious food.
Address: Calle de la Cruz, 35, 28012, Madrid
Nearest Metro: Sol
Visit MadridWine.com for more info about Madrid’s vibrant wine scene and book your wine tasting tour in the heart of Spain.
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