BAR SIDI: GREAT BAR FOR LOCALS IN THE CENTER OF MALASAÑA (EN)

Bar Sidi. Calle del Barco, 15. 28004 Madrid. España. 915 21 84 03. From 09:00 to 1:00. Tribunal Metro Station

AT SIDI, WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET

OForget about the vintage esthetic that has lately been taking over the neighborhood. Here, what you see is what you get. Pinchos, tapas, jamon serrano/chorizo/lomo all hanging on the wall. No show-cooking and elaborated tapas. A tasty plate of huevos rotos (potatoes topped off with eggs), generous portions and true to the BBB rule: Bueno Bonito y Barato! its good, nice-looking, and cheap! A great atmosphere, (erasmus students tend to come here a lot) any day of he week, guaranteed!

THE WAITERS, JAIME AND JAVI CAN DO ANYTHING!

You can stop by SIDI any Friday or Saturday night and you'll see how great the service is even when it's packed inside! Javi and Jaime do their best to make sure their customers and perfectly! Nice rations of freshly cut jamón serrano (cured ham), patatas bravas (potatoes in a “spicy” sauce), ensaladilla rusa (spanish potato salad) and you'll surely have another round on the house!!

5 EURO DRINKS, AND VERY WELL SERVED, THEY EVEN GIVE YOU THE BOTTLE SO YOU CAN SERVE YOURSELF!

Because trust is essential at your local bar! As long as you're good people Javi and Jaime will treat you phenomenally!
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The verdict: The friendly local bar with affordable prices (in our opinion the best neighborhood bar in the area) There's a reason why they've been around since 1943!
Free Wifi
You can always count on Jose Luis's "help", who always knows what's going on in the bar and strikes up conversations with the customers. You'll recognize him by his unique and peculiar attire (hat included!)

 

Did Someone Say Microbrery?! YES: Fábrica Maravillas

C/ Valverde 29
28004 Madrid +34 915 218 753
 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
 M – F 18h – 00h, Sa – Su 13h – 00h

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As a Californian, I can tell you about all the great wine you can taste from our lovely state. Fortunately living in Spain, it's not something I miss being that the worlds best wines are produced in this wonderful peninsula. There is one thing I must admit... oh how I yearn for the variety of craft beers you can find at a grocery store alone. As luck would have it for me there is an awesome dog-friendly brewery here in my neighborhood, Malasaña
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La Fábrica de la Maravillas is located on Calle Valverde. It's the only microbrewery in the neighborhood and is definitely worth a visit! They've got several flavorful and high alcohol content craft beers on tap ranging from IPA's, ale's and (my personal favorite) a dark caramel Stout.
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Beers come in four sizes, the smallest being a caña, 1/2 pint or a pint and finally a huge Growler you can take on the road. Prices vary between beers and sizes, they range from 1,90€ to 7,00€ They've also got a couple of tapas to choose from para picar!
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Don't forget to take a tiny tour and walk towards the WCs where you'll get a peak at how the factory works! They rotate their beers and I wouldnt be surprised if they ran out of certain ones, so check out their website to see exactly what's on tap! Come in and order a pint, take a seat and admire the little modern space. Because, why miss an opportunity for the perfect Instagram photo!!!
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The verdict: A great place to try Microbery in Madrid !
Most of the times is full of people

La Bicicleta (EN)

La Bicicleta Café. Plaza San Ildefonso, 9, 28004 Madrid. 915 32 97 42www.labicicletacafe.com. Metro Tribunal

HIPSTERS WELCOMED

If you're into the whole hipster movement and you haven't been to La Bicicleta, it's as if you grew up in the early 90's and you don't know the Fresh Prince of Bell Air theme song. The staff and the place alike are very hip. Theres a nice atmosphere and you're bound to find a lot of attractive guys and girls here any day of the week! There tends to be a lot or erasmus students and foreigners as well. .

ORIGINAL URBAN FURNITURE

Everytime Carlos and me have gone to La Bicicleta, we ask ourselves where those anti-left handed school desks with the attached chairs from the 80's came from. Better yet, what about that huge sofa (sunken seat included) and the rundown tables. Where they picked off the street or purchased at Wallapop? This might sound like a rundown place, but believe me, it doesn’t leave anyone indifferent. Sure, everything looks a little scruffy but the truth is that nothing has been improvised, every décor detail has been carefully thought out.

GOOD FOOD AT REASONABLE PRICES

Yes, La Bicicleta is a trendy place, but let's not forget to mention that the food is delicious. Don't leave without tasting the hummus or any of their yummy sandwiches, Perico Delgado is worth a try! It's a good Workplace to schedule meetings or just go with a date, you're sure to have a good time! There's free Wifi throughout the place and tall and spacious tables that give preference to people with laptops to help ensure everyone is comfortable.

Another great gesture by La Bicicleta: there's always a pitchers of water and glasses on the work tables making the area look more like just a room in your house.

 

THE VERDICT: Worth a visit. Very original place, but don't even think about coming here on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday during busy hours, around 21.30 more or less, you probably won't find a seat, that's not counting the sunken sofa or the desk+chair combo. In any case, if you don't find a spot, you can always go to SIDI, the bar next door, which we also have a great post about.
! SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS they have their famous 18 euro brunch. We're hoping to post something soon about these famous brunches..
! Careful: it's a mission getting to the WC, it can be quite confusing finding it, you might end up walking in the kitchen

12 Things Spaniards Get Right That Americans Get Wrong

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                                                   Shutterstock

 After studying abroad in Madrid, I learned a thing or two about Spanish culture. One of the best parts of my trip was meeting locals and realizing cultural norms— usually the hard way. When my travels ended, I quickly noticed there were a few aspects of Spain that I really yearned for because we simply just don’t do them the same way in the U.S. Take a look.

1. Coffee comes in ceramics mugs, not paper cups.

 

Instead of rushing to the drive-thru before the line gets out of control in the morning, Spaniards sip their “cafés con leche” in ceramic mugs in local cafes. Like Americans, Spaniards love their coffee. However, they also love chatting and starting their days off peacefully. Side note: Spaniards don’t usually drink the nasty drip coffee we do; they go straight for espresso.

 

2. PDA is A-OK.

 

In other words, Spaniards are quite comfortable with their sexuality. They can be seen holding hands, embracing and even kissing in broad daylight (oh my goodness!). Next time you feel like giving your loved one a smooch in public, I encourage you to not hold back.

 

3. Transportation.

 

Instead of driving two blocks to the corner store, most Spaniards take advantage of public transportation and their own two legs… Madrid’s Metro system is among the most advanced in the world and almost everyone utilizes it. And walking? Well, a lengthy stroll allows you to breathe in fresh air and get some exercise.

 

4. Work to Live.

 

My Spanish professor made it clear to my American friends and me that “los españoles trabajan para vivir y los estadounidenses viven para trabajar.” (The Spanish work to live while Americans live to work. Americans have this reputation as diligent workhorses who spend hours on end in their offices. In place of needed breaks, we stress eat, wear our mental selves thin and engorge our physical selves. Instead of letting work consume their lives, Spaniards balance work and leisure more equally than Americans. Think about it next time you’re about to go into work on a Saturday.

 

5. Alcohol at 18.

 

Instead of making children wait until they’re twenty-one to legally drink alcohol, Spaniards can drink at eighteen. However, most children drink with their families at a younger age. In Spain, there is no “underage drinking problem” because it simply is not an issue the way that it is here in the states.

 

6. Fashion.

 

Goodbye yoga pants and Nike hoodie, hello fashionable cardigan and skinny jeans. Boys, this goes for you too. It is beyond rare to see Spaniards strutting about in their PJs and sweats. Instead, Spanish everyday attire is typically casually chic. In Madrid, many women wore scarves and flats to complement their cardigans and jeans. This outfit isn’t so hard. In fact, I think most women out there are capable of putting together an outfit as simple as this. Men, it wouldn’t hurt if you put on a pair of jeans and a nice sweater either.

 

7. Honesty.

 

Aside from being extremely pleasant to look at, most Spaniards are unafraid to be blunt. I realize that the general consensus among Europeans is that Americans are too soft. We tend to work around the truth rather than tell people “how it is.”

 

8. Siestas.

 

The Spanish lifestyle lends to longer nights and later mornings. Although some people choose to go without an afternoon nap, many people do. In fact, some businesses close for a couple hours in the afternoon so workers can eat lunch and rest up a bit.

 

9. Cooking/To-go/Restaurants.

 

In general, most Spaniards prepare their own meals more often than they eat out. Also, ordering out and delivery are pretty rare. Only fast food chains take part in this strange American fad! Also, if you do happen to go to a restaurant, prepare for an unhurried meal. The dining experience is nowhere near as structured as it is in the States. Unlike American classics such as burgers and fries, Spanish food is typically on the healthier side. Fresh fish made with olive oil, vegetables and bread is a pretty standard. However it’s not all healthy (which isn’t a bad thing!).

 

10. Spanish Indulgences.

 

Jamón is Spanish ham; it is typically thinly sliced and ridiculously flavorful and delicious. It’s probably fresher and less processed than the ham Americans buy at the deli. If you have a sweet tooth, most Spanish bakeries or “pastelerías” are equipped with neopolitanos, which are chocolate filled croissants. Need I say more? If that’s not good enough, there are actual establishments called “churrerías” that specialize in serving churros. Spanish churros are typically sweet but not too sweet. They are often dipped in a deliciously rich and thick chocolate sauce, which I think makes the world a better place.

 

11. Nightlife.

 

Spaniards know nightlife. Nightclubs and bars are packed and stay packed throughout the early morning hours… And they’re usually filled with non-barbaric happy people socially drinking and not drinking to get drunk. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? Some nightlife enthusiasts wait until the Madrid metro opens at 6 a.m. to make their way back home and into bed.

 

12. Rules on lateness.

 

Punctuality is not entirely vital. Although certain situations call for timeliness, many Spaniards aren’t particularly peeved if you arrive five-ish minutes late to most gatherings.

 

These are just a few cultural structures I noticed while studying abroad in Madrid. They’re by no means all encompassing. However, I think Americans could benefit from taking into account a few of these Spanish norms. 


 

 Article written by Marlee Pahos

 

Madrid Zones

Districts and areas

ZONE 1. The most exclusives

 

ZONA 2. 

ZONA 3.

ZONA 4.

 

 

 

Referencia precios orientativa en las distintas zonas
ZonaPrecio medio habitaciónPrecio medio piso con 1 habitación
Zona 1 450€ 700€
Zona 2 400€ 650€
Zona 3 350€ 600€
Zona 4 300€ 550€