Madrid - Nightlife

Madrileños are mad for Marcha, a Spanish term for going out big-time. Hop from bar to bar with them, any night of the week. Whether bopping in discobares or strutting your stuff in the larger discotecas, remember the night is always young.

Revellers, the lion's share of them foreigners, swarm Huertas until the early hours but don't let that put you off. Spend at least one long evening here propping up the grand copper topped bars of Madrid's drinking institutions. If you can take more after closing time, cut through Sol to the bigger after-hours discotecas on and around Calle Arenal.

Liberal Chueca, just a stone's throw from the Gran Vía, possesses an intimate atmosphere all of its own, which extends to its tightly packed cafés, bars and clubs. While the area might be the epicentre of Spanish gay culture, the arty, creative and open atmosphere appeals to straight people in equal measures.

In Malasaña, which practically adjoins Chueca, prices drop somewhat, the student scene makes an appearance, and indie tunes rule. It's ideal for those in search of reliving their salad days, and almost as cool as Chueca.

There are fewer tourists down in multicultural and predominantly working class Lavapiés. Heaving tapas, wine, flamenco and bohemian bars coexist with authentic kebab joints.

Things get going late in Madrid and push on to the early hours. Only after dinner and fast approaching the witching hour are Madrileños ready to take on the prodigious nightlife. The excesses of the decadent 1980s Movida movement tried the patience of the authorities somewhat, leading to earlier closing times, but it's still not hard to push on till dawn.

Dance the night away to Las Ketchup's The Ketchup Song, singing Aserejé, or knock back copas of beer singing El Mariachi like Antonio Banderas in Desperado.