Get lost in the winding streets of gay Madrid

From vintage shopping to queer nightlife to stylish eateries and more! We've got you covered in this Madrid gay travel guide.

Mark

Aug 11, 2023 - 20:01

0 2

Get lost in the winding streets of gay Madrid

Shirtless men pose in front of a rainbow flag during Madrid pride.

If you’re looking for an authentic Spanish experience, look no further than the thriving metropolis of Madrid. Renowned as one of the most queer-friendly cities in the world, it has an overwhelming amount of museums, a flourishing gayborhood, massive green spaces, and a cafe culture that could rival Paris. The best time to visit Madrid is in the Spring or Fall as the winters can be dreary and the late summers are so hot that many Madrileños leave for Spain’s numerous beach towns.

Chueca metro station sign with a rainbow flag hanging off a balcony in the background.

Cheuca and Malasaña

After the fall of the Franconian dictator in 1975, these two adjacent neighborhoods just north of the central business district began to explode with art, culture, and queer liberation. Later known as the “La Movida Madrileña”, (The Madrid Movement), the Malasaña neighborhood, in particular, was the inspiration for famed gay filmmaker Pedro Almodovar’s early films and was a New Wave haven for icons such as Alaska (not the drag queen) and Locomía. The Cheuca neighborhood, like many queer neighborhoods globally, was known as a dangerous drug-filled no man’s land where many businesses were boarded up in the 1970s. Beginning in the 1980s, many queer people began to move into the neighborhood and opened businesses leading to one of the largest gay districts in Europe. Both neighborhoods have an array of vintage stores, hip coffee shops, rowdy nightlife options, chic restaurants, and plenty of narrow winding streets.

Shopping

In general, there are a lot of vintage clothing stores, unique boutiques, and brand-name shops around the Tribunal subway station in Malasaña and the nearby Chueca station. Here are a few of our favorites:

People drinking coffee outside a hole-in-the-wall cafe.

Dining

You’ll find numerous quaint cafes, intimate bars, and charming restaurants that spill into the streets and plazas throughout Madrid. You are not expected to have a full meal at most outdoor cafes, so sip on a coffee or glass of wine and enjoy the free tapas until you’re ready to pick a place to dine.

Bearded bartender strains a pink beverage into a cocktail glass.

La Bicicleta Malasana: Known for its tasty brunch, signature cocktails, and third-wave coffee menu, this hip cafe is a great place to fuel up before you explore Madrid.

The bright red vintage facade of Bodega de La Ardosa is covered in items from its menu of Spanish tapas.

Bodega de La Ardosa: A popular place to get traditional Spanish tapas and wine with authentic decor.

A person cuts into a black squid ink pizza covered in colorful orange toppings. The meal is accompanied by a fresh green salad and a crisp white wine.

Bosco de Lobos: Italian dining set inside the garden of an architectural college. Rustic squid ink pizza, fresh pasta, and an impressive list of wines are a must-try.

Two fabulous drag queens kiss with their tongues.

Nightlife and Bars

It’s no secret that Spaniards like to party, and they do so late into the night…. and sometimes into the next day. Madrid offers plenty of gay nightlife options, whether you’re looking for a cheeky drag show or a steamy rave that goes until dawn.

Four shirtless hunky Spaniards look into the camera adorned with skimpy briefs, bulging packages, multi-colored polka-dot capes tied around their necks, and black brimmed Sierras hats.

La Kama Bar: One of the larger clubs in Chueca, where you’ll find muscle queens, twinks, and circuit music.

A DJ at La Via Lactea puts the needle on a record while surrounded by a library of music.

La Via Lactea: Want the complete Almodovar fantasy? Drop into this rowdy mixed-crowd dive bar for a beer. This place gets packed and the revelry often spills out into the streets.

Alien-looking club kid with horns, muliti-colored and full-body makeup poses with a cigarette in the streets of Malasaña

Sala Republik Club: Mixed gay/straight club that hosts Baila Minitel. The basement room features sweaty techno bangers during this party, while the main floor rotates from reggaeton to pop. The DJs in this crew host lots of other underground parties, so follow them on social media to find out where to dance in Madrid.

Two punks stand outside of Pub Gris wearing black and acid washed tie dye.

Pub Gris: Alternative gay bar in Chueca with neon backlighting, 80s decor, and rotating DJs. Start your party out here before a night of dancing.

Bedazzled drag queen takes a close-up with a giant pink feathered headpiece.

LL Bar: Small rowdy drag bar with nightly shows that draws a younger crowd. Try your hand on a weeknight or early in the night to avoid standing room only.

Two scruffy middle-aged men in Eurovision t-shirts pose with arms around each other in front of the Bears Bar sign.

Bears Bar: The name says it all. You’ll find Madrid’s bear community and their admirers clinking glasses in this laid-back pub.

A crosswalk sign with two women figures holding hands.

Outside of Cheuca and Malasaña

Most of queer life revolves around these two neighborhoods, but Madrid has much to offer outside these areas, especially museums and parks.

A man runs around a lake with an ornate statue in the background in El Retiro park

El Retiro Park: Madrid’s giant municipal park could be said to be the city’s lungs, but it also features an incredible Rose Garden and the Crystal Palace Art Gallery. Plus, it is the most famous location for cruising in the city.

Patrons discuss and look at art in the industrial setting of the Museo Neomudejar

Museo La Neomudejar: Urban gallery with provocative avant-garde installations, performance art, and soundscapes that push the boundaries. The building holds relics of its industrial past as a railway workshop.

People order from different stalls at the San Miguel food hall.

San Miguel Market: Indulge in this foodie paradise. Set in a stunning cast iron 1916 food market, choose from a wide variety of fresh seafood, signature cocktails, premium coffee, and elevated traditional tapas.

Room in the Soralla museum covered in colorful ceramics and antique wooden furniture.

Sorolla Museum: Set in the elaborately decorated former home of impressionist painter Joaquín Sorolla, the museum displays a large display of the artist’s most famous paintings, ornate ceramics, and decor from Madrid in the early 1900s.