Hasta las Vistas: Eight Rooftop Hotspots in Madrid

When talking about Madrid you will inevitably run into the “rooftop terrace” conversation. Everyone wants to know where the best views can be found. And having mooched, lounged and lorded my way around some of the topspots of Madrid I’ve noticed that one doesn’t rate higher than another, but that each has their own little twist, niche or cariño. From swish and swanky surroundings to a cute urban garden retreat, each week I seem to discover another hidden rooftop hideaway.

Roommate’s Óscar Hotel (Plaza de Vazquez Mella. Tel: +34 91-701-1173. Metro: Chueca / Gran Vía) is a hidden gem open to the public from 20:00 p.m. until 00:00 a.m. every night. Ride the elevator to the 7^th floor and beach party sounds grow louder and louder as you follow the corridor. White is unavoidable at Oscar: from the furniture, the beds, the uniforms and the teeth of the handsome waiters that wait to serve you. Select your perch at one of the many tables, head up by the pool to nab a floor couch, or hover by the bar to see the fashionistas come and go. Although Oscar can’t really be described as a cheap option, I would still push for a visit, especially if you’re looking for that perfect place to take a special someone. Book accommodation in Chueca.

Now if white isn’t your colour and you’re pining for some greenery and garden relaxation then I’d suggest heading to the terrace of Hotel Las Letras (C/Gran Vía, 11. Tel: +34 91-523-7980. Metro: Gran Vía / Sevilla / Sol). With a very different feel, the terrace of Las Letras boasts a fine urban garden with plenty of cute corners in which to relax. The view is not what you come for (unless the sides of neighbouring buildings gets your blood pumping), but well worth checking out nonetheless. The ambience is one of chilling out in seclusion and the feel of being in your own secret corner of the world. Book accommodation in Gran Via

Another in the hotel terrace genre comes in the form of the 5* Hotel Urban roof terrace (Carrera San Jerónimo. Tel: +34 91-787-7770. Metro: Sol / Sevilla). With its world-class reputation it is no surprise that the Urban terrace is a good one, and has that spark of magic that will leave you wanting to return. As is expected, the prices are not what brings in the crowds but for the odd drink they won’t break the bank. This is a good place to start your evening before moving on to more modestly priced venues. Book accommodation in Sol

In a very different category, there is one place that is often overlooked ¾ El Corte Inglés Callao (Plaza de Callao. Metro: Callao / Sol). Venture up to the 9^th Floor café, sit at one of the window tables, and enjoy one of the best views of Madrid and the Sierra de Madrid. This unpolished watchpoint has the benefit of lacking the potential snootiness of some of the more exclusive terrace locations. The café leaves a lot to be desired in terms of internal décor but they offer a range of food and drinks and the view really is worth a visit, day or night. Plus, you have the perfect excuse for a spot of shopping on the way up and on the way back down. Book accommodation near Callao.

Recently featuring the photo/art exhibition “Oh Cielos!” (Lit: “Oh skies!” – an exhibition celebrating the sky-views of Madrid), the terrace of El Circulo De Bellas Artes (C/ Marqués de Casa Riera, just off C/Alcalá. Tel: +34 91-360-5400. Metro: Sevilla / Banco de Espana) is situated in the heart of the city centre and offers a panoramic view  that towers over nearly every other building in central Madrid. From this spectular, and rather spacious, rooftop you can enjoy to your heart’s content the scenery to the north, south, east and west. “Oh Cielos!” has now finished but Circulo de Bellas Artes often makes full use of its terrace so add it to your to-visit list. Book accommodation near Sevilla.

Another top spot is El Viajero (Plaza de la Cebada. Tel: +34 91-366-9064. Metro: La Latina). This 3-storey bar/restaurant in La Latina has a real buzz on the weekends and the top floor is a terrific little terrace. An excellent place to head to on a Sunday afternoon; they play great chilled club music, reminiscent of an after-party, that is ideal for Sunday lazing. Get there early to get a spot on the terrace, or even a table downstairs, as this place packs out quickly and stays packed all afternoon/evening. The vibe flitters between lively and relaxed as groups come and go (or grow!) but all the while remaining a fun place to be. Book accommodation in La Latina.

If you move on down to Lavapies you can find a terrace where ambience, views, good food and culture all come together in superb unison. The Gaudeamus Café (C/Tribulete, 14. Tel: +34 91 528 2594. Metro: Lavapies) sits at the top of the Edificio Escuelas Pías (UNED) building and presents its guests with views of Lavapies. The food is varied and of a high quality, though not the cheapest you´ll find. But it´s just the place for a special occasion dinner, or to come for a drink. And if you´re in the neighbourhood then why not also wander over to Tirso De Molina and check out Casa de Granada (C/Doctor Cortezo, 17. Tel: +34 91 420 0825. Metro: Tirso de Molina) where you´ll find one of the most clandestine of roof terraces. You have to buzz into an apartment building and make your way to the 6^th floor where you´ll discover a real find. As its name might imply, Casa De Granada maintains an Andalucian theme and serves a wide assortment of good sized tapas at low prices and the staff bring some of the white city´s friendliness and warmth to add to the lively atmosphere. Book accommodation near Lavapies.

As a little tip, I would recommend chatting to the staff at any of these venues as they can often recommend similar places in the city if you ask kindly enough. Although rooftops in Madrid are almost like an elite club for only those in the know, now you have an all access pass.

By Tom Burgess

Olé Lola: Cocktails and Culinary Delights

A fairly recent addition to the funky chic cocktail gang in Madrid, Olé Lola, is definitely giving its existing competition a run for their money. From the minute you walk in the door you can’t help but feel just a little more glamorous than you did before. The black furniture, dim lighting and colourful bar all help to create an awesomely rich and cocktail-inducing feel. The joy of Lola is that there’s no posh attitude, which can be found in some of the swanky cocktail bars, and anyone is free to come and enjoy the sumptuous servings of both food and drink. Take your pick from the seating options of high tables, low tables, regular soft benches or low-lying lounging because Ole Lola has all of the above. What better way to enjoy a great cocktail than lying back on a soft padded sofa bench and sipping away your worries with one of the many concoctions that the bar staff knock together.

The cocktails aren’t the cheapest in town but they are no doubt some of the best that you’ll savour, and it’s obvious that the house cocktail master, Miguel Setién, designed the menu to satisfy. Perfectly complimented by such cool and comfy surroundings, you’ll find it hard to get up and go – so be prepared for an extended stay once you’ve settled down. Add to this the fact that there is a quirkily wonderful menu to get your teeth into; it’s just too tempting to resist. The list includes: mini chicken and foie burgers, grandma’s croquettes, and fried aubergine with salmorejo. And it doesn’t just stop at sounding and tasting good, head chef Jesús Pedraza takes massive pride in the presentation of his creations and each dish will have you and your friends cooing when it arrives at your table. Now whether it’s cooing, cocktails, cuisine or comfortable couches that you’re questing for, you know where to go.

Cocktails: 7-14€
Hours: Sun-Thurs 12:00 p.m. -02:00 a.m., Fri & Sat 12:00 p.m.-02:30 a.m.
Metro: Tribunal, Alonso Martínez, Bilbao

Olé Lola
Calle de San Mateo, 28
28010 Madrid, España
Tel: 913 106 695

By Tom Burgess

Alternative Ambience at Bar Marimba

Founded by three “non-Madrileños”, you can tell Bar Marimba is new the second you walk through the door.  Not because it’s a bit quiet or because everything still seems clean and the toilets lock (although all of those are also true), but because you feel like a valuable customer from the moment you sit down.  Lydia, one of the co-owners and a native of Italy, carefully crafts a Mojito and a Caipiroska before sitting down to chat. Their drink specialties include Mojitos, Caipirinhas and their more innovative Caipiroskas, which they make with fresh seasonal fruits including strawberries, melon, kiwi and mango. The three friends (the other two are from Mallorca and Paraguay) finally opened the bar about two months ago.  The name simply comes from the South American name for an instrument resembling a xylophone.  The international worldliness of the owners carries over to more than just the name.  Everything from the music to the decor to the menu reflects the bar’s identity as a sort of alternatively trendy hangout spot for anyone passing through.

The space itself feels a bit “taverny”, with warm rust-coloured walls cut away to reveal the original stone.  The locale actually dates from the early 1800s. Little round tables are placed around the front room, each with a candle flickering on it.  The back room has a more rustic feel, with big wooden tables and chairs.  On one wall is a photo exhibit by a young photographer, Shihaya Buisán.  Lydia explains that they discovered the old granite walls when they began renovation.  But between then and now the space has served many a purpose.  Most recently it was a rather famous Electronica bar.  When it closed down two years ago, the space remained empty until this daring trio decided to buy it and re-do it completely.  “The renovation wasn’t just about painting and re-furnishing”, explains Lydia, “we had to change the whole identity of the space”.  That’s quite clear, there’s nothing left that even hints ‘screaming rave’. When I ask Lydia about the music, she describes it as “diverse”.   “We try and play calmer music in the mornings, while people have breakfast and work, and then at night we try and put on something a bit more lively”.  Even with the more energetic music, the bar is much more of a sit-and-talk place than a crazy dance venue.

Bar Marimba is more than a nocturnal niche, they are open for breakfast and serve snacks, coffees, teas and drinks all day.  “Our ‘thing’ is pita breads”, explains Lydia.  They top them loads of different ways.  “We also try and have one main ‘dish’ every day and a dessert.”  The daily specials are advertised on a blackboard:  hummus and pita bread, cold tomato/ avocado soup, chocolate tart with dulce de leche, tiramisu, and a pear and peach mousse.  Everything costs a reasonable 3-4 euros.  They also provide free Wifi to customers, which combined with the tables and endless supply of coffee make it a perfect study spot.  It is sometimes difficult to find places in Madrid (other than a Starbucks) to take your books and spread out with a coffee, but Bar Marimba fills that void.

Bar Marimba
Calle de Lavapiés, 11
Phone: 915 392 711
Hours:  Monday – Thursday – 10:30 a.m. – 2 :00 a.m., Friday – Sunday – 11 :00 a.m. – 3 :00 a.m.
Metro: Tirso De Molina
Price: 2-6 euros.

By Chloé Rousseau

Café Diurno: Coffee, Cake and Cultural Movies

I was in search of a place to chill out, read the paper and do a bit of studying so I went wandering through the streets of Chueca. In Madrid the cafés are 10 a penny and every street will offer you a café con leche somewhere along the way, but I wanted something a bit more. And so when I stumbled across Diurno I knew that I’d found my new haven.

On the corner of C/Libertad and C/San Marcos, this is a spacious café with plenty of room and I’ve always been able to get a table (or even sofa if I’m lucky). Not only is it a café but also a video rental club where you can hire your favorite movies or try new ones. Diurno describes itself as a “gourmet video club or cultural drugstore” and I would agree that this place really feels like a happening hub of locals and visitors alike sharing some time chilling out and catching up. Open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, it’s also a great place to people watch for hours as the hodge-podge of customers come and go and offer glimpses of friendships, first dates and last dates!

What caught my eye from the first visit was the impossible-to-resist range of freshly baked cakes on offer at the counter, including the amazing dulce de leche chocolate cake, which is the perfect partner for your coffee. The chocolate brownies and carrot cake are so delicious that they’ll have Betty Crocker running for the recipe. There is also a great range of sandwiches, salads, pasta and soups (as well as more desserts on offer) that makes Diurno an option for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or for sweets. And to quench your thirst there is everything that you could want from teas, coffees, smoothies, juices, soft drinks, beers, wines, copas and cocktails. The caipirinhas are well worth a try and feature as one of the favourites amongst the clientele, obviously popular as you’ll see the sugar and lime-filled caipirinha glasses lined up along the bar ready to go. If you are looking to quench your thirst, satisfy your appetite or looking for the latest blockbuster then Diurno is your one-stop café to suit your needs.

Hours: Mon-Thurs 10:00 a.m. – 0:00 a.m., Fri 10:00 a.m. -01:00 a.m. , Sat 11:00 a.m. -01:00 a.m. , Sun/Hols 11:00 a.m. -0:00 a.m.

Beverage: Coffee 2 euros, cocktails 6 euros.

Movie rental: 3-3,50 euros

Café Diurno
Calle de San Marcos, 37
Tel: 91 522 00 09

By Tom Burgess

Jose Alfredo: Where the Cool Kids Go for Cocktails in Madrid

Whether you’re a Gin Fizz junky or a Cosmo crazed fan, you  know that it’s not easy to find a place that really knows how to make cocktails the way they should be made. Let me introduce you to Jose Alfredo, well, not the man, but the cocktail bar of the moment here in Madrid. Named after the famous ranchero singer, this place means business when it comes to mixology and serving you a pedigree pick-me-up.

From the outside it is a very subtle, almost dull façade but what it holds inside is a host of taste-bud tingling sensations. On entering it is pleasant enough, but you need to head to the back where you’ll get to the splendid seating area, which includes mirrored walls teamed with various velvet patterns.  And if there’s an open table grab it because with the many locals and music crowds pouring into the place they don’t stay free for long.

Jose Alfredo’s is an oasis of liquid love. This is one bar that lets the drinks speak for themselves like a true coctelería. Although not cheap, at 8-10€ per cocktail, they are certainly a treat worth waiting for. If you’re not looking to spend lots on a night out then I’d recommend at least starting the evening here for a kick-off cocktail before heading on to somewhere more affordable. The house cocktail comes served in a martini glass and packs a sweet punch for those that love a sugar rush. Another great sweet treat, but mildly less sugar-bashing, is the Ballet Russe vodka cocktail that will have you on your toes just like Ms. Pavlova. The cocktail menu is varied enough to please all palates and it shows, as Jose Alfredo attracts a crowd every night of the week and the result is a great buzz to go with the great booze. But should the menu still leave you wanting more, then have a nice word with one of the trained camareros and see if they’ll mix up your own personal fusion of fun in a glass. Either way you are sure to be able to satisfy that thirst for whatever tickles your tongue and I’m pretty sure that you’ll find it hard to stop at one…

Jose Alfredo
C/Silva, 22
Metro: Callao / Gran Vía / Plaza de España
Beverage: Cocktails 8-10 euros
Opening: Monday to Thursday 18:00-02:30, Friday & Saturday 18:00-03:00, Sunday 20:30-02:30
Tel: 91 521 4960

By Tom Burgess