Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)

I have to say, I truly believe that in general Madrid is has a wonderful social scene and nightlife. The most wonderful thing about it is that everyone goes out to have fun and really dance! Nobody really dances in the US. People are too proud or shy to move their hips a bit. However, this is far from the truth in Madrid, Espana! There everyone from the ages of 16 till death do you part, likes to get up and go out and enjoy life with a couple of canas (small beers) and good friends of course. A couple of my favorite dance spots were La Mona Lisa bar, Zuristan, Sol, and Kapital. Now all of these places that I've listed go up in size and energy level in accordance to the order I have arranged them in. Mona Lisa for example is a bar/nightclub with some of the best music and an unbeatable atmosphere! And the latters ones are great as well however they are much bigger and not as intimate. But they are always fun. As far as cafes go, this is a hard question to answer since Madrid is one big Cafe! That is what I loved so much about Madrid and most of Europe for that matter. Everywhere you go there are so many patios set up (when it's warm of course) where you can enjoy a wonderful Cafe con Leche in the sun or some great aceitunas (olives) with a wonderful Cana. That along with some Jamon Serrano are my personal favorites! That is probably the first thing that I would eat once landed in Madrid. But if I had to name my favorite cafe, it would have to be one of the Museo's de Jamon off of Sol. This place is typical to Madrid and Spain. It's cheap, personable, and you really get to see the Spaniards in action! I love the way the workers yell out the orders to the kitchen. I go there just to hear them do it! The atmosphere is wonderful, but I warn you, don't go in there if you are a Vegetarian!!

Malasaña was my favorite spot for nightlife. It has a bunch of really cool music bars that have cheap drinks. My favorite bars were La Via Lactea and Morgensterns. Plus, there are primarely only other Spanish there so its more cultural. I also liked this Irish pub in my area Arguelles called Finbars. It was my local pub. There are a lot of concerts in Madrid in which a lot of American and Spanish bands play. One event not to miss in september is the Spanish Communist Party fundraiser. Its a big festival weekend festival, with a lot of food from every province of Spain, music from Spain, and it´s just one kick-ass party thats dirt cheap to get into, plus everything including the festival food is cheap. I guess it kinsa has to be since it is a communist fundraiser.

It was and I think it is a place I loved at the first sight "Los Gabrieles". I remember even the street _ Echegaray- a place where one can listen to the live flamenco shows. Best Cafes? I do not remember the name - but the place ...oh, yes!A place where you can drink the mejor cafe in the city (a native showed me the place), a cafe visited by the "literary" world of Madrid.And, as a recommendation is a cathedral at the outskirts of the city, where Goya - the spanish painter is buried - that little church almost un-noticeable if you do not know the address has something of the "unique" which the well known and too visited places had been stolen by the tourists

I am not actually a nocturnal creature but when I do go out, I frequently go to the movies. Bars failed to captivate my interest although I´ve been there more than once or twice. The Circulo de Bellas Artes, where experimental films are shown, is also a good find. Lately though, I discovered a cozy watering hole in Starbucks where I can read undisturbed and enjoy the international ambiance. The place is conducive to cerebral activities while savoring the tempting smell of coffee beans. I think it´s a haven for bookworms who wants to take life a little slower.

What can I say? Madrid!Madrid!There's planty of night spots and in general places to go out and have fun!The best "night" spots are localizated through areas like: Malasaña, Plaza 2 de Mayo,Tribunal, Moncloa, Arguelles, Chueca, Santa Ana, Atocha, Sol, Gran Via, Latina...The list is endless!The place famous of it's cheap and delicious tapas is "Urgallo" near to Principe Pio metro station.The best place to have a coffe or churros con chocolate is for sure "San Gines" near to Opera metro station.

Madrid is already known for its movida, providing every kind of night entertainment one could wish for. Still, my best memories remain in the Lavapies immigrant quarter, where many people gather in the Columbian, Brazilenian and funky bars before swithching perhaps to some performances given in the numerous plazas. The best place to dicover contemporay sapnish music is the "Cafe la Palma" in Calle de la Palma . For a more relaxed atmosphere, the La Latina quarter is the most attractive, with it's cafes and bares de tapas, and magnific location in the Old Town of Madrd.