Gay Bars in Madrid: Gris

Gris reminds me of Hellraiser and black light posters, the basement-level has a foosball table that’s great for meeting people, and the music is simply dope.

Gris is a deep dark and secretive space with two levels. The main level is OK, with a little bit of dancing by the door, an extremely crowded bar and strange sculptural wall installations (a black and white checkered man trying to crawl out of the wall). Good luck trying to get from the front door past the bar to the stairs that lead to the much cooler basement bar. The minimal area in front of the main bar (no wider than a fire-escape)- is packed and you WILL step on someone’s toes.  (I don’t even bother to apologize; the downstairs is much better and the people with injured toes should have avoided all the trouble and gone down there!)  Below there are hotter people, the atmosphere is more relaxed and the space- with a foosball table- encourages flirting. The hook-up factor is HIGH HIGH HIGH!  Threat level Midnight for those in monogamous relationships… Very good-looking guys come here and they seem to always have cool creative jobs.  Play a game of foosball and meet your new fling.  Might your new love interest met at Gris know famous people?  Yes.  Might he be in his own right famous?  Quite possibly.

The music is 80s-heavy and tends toward the Depeche Mode style but this is tempered with a good sprinkling of newer ‘indie’ rock and some Madonna or Kylie Minogue.

Expect a long line for late weekend nights.  I have never been charged admission.  The bar offers a twofer deal on cervezas, copas and refrescos until 2:30AM.  You must ask for the card to get your second drink free.  Save it for a rainy day.

Gris
Calle de San Marcos 29
Metro: Chueca or Gran Vía.
Hours: 11:30PM- 3AM

By Allen Ribblett

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