Casa Julio

Let’s face it, tourists love celebrity allure. As a result, a lot of bars in Madrid claim Ernest Hemingway as a former patron; after all, it’s a great way to turn a pub into a tourist attraction–and even if there’s no physical proof, if a bar is over 60 years old and within walking distance of Puerta del Sol then there’s a 98% chance that “Ernesto” wet his whistle there on Jonnie Walker or Las Campanas red wine–maybe both.

But here’s a little tip many starry-eyed tourists may not know about: just a little north of Gran Vía, in an area known as Malasaña, there is a small, unsuspecting “bar de viejos” (an old guy’s bar) which has been dubbed “The U2 Tavern”. Yes, as in the band.

In 2003, as the Irish rockers were passing through town looking for a place for a photo shoot, they stumbled across Casa de Julio on calle Madera. While the photographer fell in love with the scenery, the band fell in love with the delicious croquettes prepared by the grandmotherly owner, Maria Teresa, who was absolutely delighted by the group, and especially by Bono who ended up calling her “Mamá.”

Since then nothing has changed at Casa Julio–save for the clientele. These days scores of young people stop by to check out the “U2 Tavern”–Maria Teresa is all too quick to point to a photo of U2, taken during the Casa Julio photoshoot, which hangs from a column in the middle of the room. But I’d say that business is good, not because of the U2 factor, but because…well damn, them croquettes are frickin’ GOOOOOOOD!

Casa Julio

915 224 176

Madera 37

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