Where to drink in Madrid, from classic bodegas to cool cocktail bars

Where to drink in Madrid, from classic bodegas to cool cocktail bars

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La Venencia 

This narrow bar with nicotine-stained walls opened in the 1920s and is as stripped back as it gets, with just a wooden counter, some barrels of sherry, and a few faded posters and tables. It's quite specialised too; it only serves sherry and basic tapas – start with a fino. Hemingway was a regular and these days you still never know who you might spot skulking at the back. But don't even think about sneaking a sly pic as photos are banned and this really isn't a place for 21st-century technology anyway. No spitting or tipping either, by the way. It's best before lunch or dinner.

Address: Calle Echegaray 7Contact: 00 34 91 429 7313Opening times: 12.30pm-3.30pm, 7.30pm-1amPrices: £

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Salmon Guru

Renowned Argentinian mixologist Diego Cabrera is the mastermind behind this buzzy cocktail bar near Plaza de Santa Ana. The design scheme ranges from that of a classic New York bar to a pop-art theme and a distinctly Japanese style across a series of spaces. Choose from classic cocktails, such as an old fashioned, or go for something more experimental – the expert bartenders are always