Student Nightlife Guide: The Best Clubs in Madrid for a Night Out
Planning a big night out in Madrid? The city is well known for its vibrant and exciting nightlife.
If you’re a young person in Madrid looking for a fun (and affordable) night out, this guide is for you! We’ll cover all the top spots you should check out, including:
- Teatro Kapital
- El Perro de la Parte Atrás del Coche
- Teatro Barceló
- Fabrik
- Joy Eslava
- Blackhaus
- El Chapandaz “The Cave Bar”
- El Jardín Secreto.
Plus, we’ve added a few extra tips at the end to help you make the most of your night and stay safe. Let’s get this party started!
8 Best Clubs in Madrid for Students
If you think that tourist spots are all that Madrid can offer, nothing could be further from the truth! The city is rich with nightlife options, especially for students. Here are the eight best spots to hit for your next night out:
Teatro Kapital
Teatro Kapital is a once-in-a-lifetime clubbing experience. It features seven stories – each with its own theme!
You’ll find a massive House music dance floor, a karaoke level to let your voice shine, a Hip-hop and R&B venue, a quieter cocktail bar, and more. There’s even a rooftop terrace that’s open in the summer.
Kapital is located in the heart of Madrid, on C. de Atocha near Parque de El Retiro.
They have a strict dress code of smart casual, but can also turn you away if you’re in too large a group, your group is all men, or if the club is full. It’s a very popular spot, so try and get there early for the best chance of getting in.
You need to be over 18 to enter, though they occasionally host teen disco nights.
The club is open from 11 pm to 6 am, and you’ll need a valid Spanish I.D. or your passport to get in.
General Admission is 25 Euro on Thursday through Saturday nights, and 20 Euro on Sundays and Wednesdays – the price also includes a free drink or two!
El Perro de la Parte Atrás del Coche
This funky spot has a cave-like feel and is one of Madrid’s coolest nightclubs and live music venues.
The venue is split between a quieter bar area to chat and a dance floor. While El Perro is a little more casual than traditional nightclubs, it’s still a good idea to look your best.
It’s pretty cheap too! Prices vary based on what’s on, but generally, gig tickets are ten euro or less.
You can find this underground club in Malasaña, less than five minutes walk from Callo subway station towards Plaza de Santa Maria Soledad.
El Perro opens from 9:30 pm on Thursdays and 9:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and the party keeps going until 3:30 am each night!
Teatro Barceló
This three-story nightclub has a dance floor for you no matter your style!
You can find Reggaeton and commercial beats on the main floor, rooms for house and electronic tunes on the second floor, and popular music on the Barceló Sky top story.
You can purchase tickets at the club, but there will be limited door sales and prices that typically range from 25 to 30 euro (including a drink) depending on the night of the week and special events. It’s cheaper and easier to book in advance or get on a guest list.
Teatro Barceló also has a strict dress code; formal and elegant is best. Sportswear, ripped jeans, sneakers, and hats will all get you turned away, as well as other casual wear.
There are also strict age limits, and if you’re in a university group Thursday is the best night to go as 19-year-olds and above are welcome. Friday and Saturday nights are 25-plus with the exception of some events – make sure to check before you go!
You can find this club on C. de Barceló, only two minute’s walk from Tribunal station. The schedule changes throughout the year, but the club is usually open from 4:30 pm to 5:00 am Monday through Saturday nights (with the exception of an early closing (9:00 pm) on Tuesdays).
Fabrik
If you’re looking for a crazy Saturday night, try raving at Fabrik! This club features two hangars, light shows, smoke machines, and a 4000-person capacity. It also has an expansive terrace – and even its own river!
As it’s an event venue, you’ll need to purchase tickets online from their website or from a promoter to get in.
Prices can vary widely based on events, being as low as fifteen euro or up to eighty (excluding VIP). You must be over 18 to attend and they have a strict I.D. policy (passports are your best option, and no photocopies).
Because of how loud it can get, Fabrik is located on the outskirts of the city in Humanes de Madrid.
While it’s possible to get there by public transport, the best option is to take a taxi, Uber, or Cabify if no one in your group is a designated driver.
There’s also a hotel at the club, but be sure to book well in advance to get a room! Fabrik also offers a shuttle service from Plaza de España that runs every half an hour from 11:00 pm.
Joy Eslava
Also called Teatro Eslava, this club is one of Madrid’s oldest and most famous nightlife locations dating back to 1871.
Joy hosts a variety of events, concerts, parties, and club nights, so have a look at their calendar and pick your favorite. The club is also open almost every night of the year, so you won’t miss out on a chance to go!
Prices vary based on the event and night, as does the dress code. For pre-bought event tickets you can get away with dressing a little more casually, but glam it up for Friday and Saturday nights.
Eslava is also very LGBT-friendly, so don’t be afraid to be yourself. You can find the venue near Plaza Mayor on C. de Arenal, less than a five-minute walk from Opera or Sol stations.
Blackhaus
This sleek venue features themed nights and many different rooms, plus a restaurant, bar, and terrace.
This is your spot if you’re after an Instagrammable night with high-end cocktails and immaculate vibes!
They host disco nights on Thursdays, commercial and urban hits on Fridays, and special and exclusive event nights on Saturdays.
This club is harder to get into than most on the list, so try and get on the guest list in advance and be sure to be well dressed (smart casual to formal). As with all the clubs, remember to bring a valid ID (18 plus)!
Blackhaus is about a ten minute drive from the city center, so grabbing an Uber or taxi is your best option. However, you can always catch the subway and then a bus as well.
El Chapandaz “The Cave Bar”
If you’re after more of a unique bar than a traditional clubbing experience, try El Chapandaz!
This bar looks like the interior of an underground cave, and you’ll get to sip on Leche de Pantera (a milky cocktail with hints of cinnamon) that pours straight from the ceiling!
They also have an expansive cocktail menu, relatively cheap beers (around five euros), and live music.
The Cave Bar is close to the university and to Moncloa station, has no cover charge, and is open seven days a week from 5:00 pm to 5:00 am (5:30 am Friday and Saturday nights). What more could you ask for?
El Jardín Secreto
If you’re looking to get a drink someplace that feels like it’s out of a fairytale, experience the magic of El Jardín Secreto!
This cozy restaurant and cocktail bar is decked out in lights, cute decor and serves cocktails, sangria, teas, and sweets. It’s walking distance from Plaza de Espana, so it’s a secret getaway right in the middle of it all.
You can visit the garden from 6:00 pm to 1:00 am Sunday through Thursday, and from 6:30 to 2:30 Fridays and Saturdays.
Additional Tips For You
Now that you know what spots to hit, it’s important to stay safe while being out and about!
- Plan Your Transportation Ahead: It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re having a blast, which is why it can be a problem figuring out how to get back home once the night’s over. Don’t wait until you’re intoxicated before pondering transport options — be sure to have a plan before hitting the club!
- Carry a Valid ID and Student Card: Like any other city, Madrid also has a minimum drinking age; you generally have to be at least 18 years old before you can drink or enter a club. To avoid being refused entry, make sure you have a valid ID and your student card on you at all times.
- Stay Hydrated between Drinks: Alcohol shouldn’t be the only drink you’re downing during a night out — it’s important to keep yourself hydrated as well! Remember that alcohol will have you heading to the toilet a lot more often, so if you don’t replenish your fluids you may be in for a painful hangover the morning after.
- Go to Reputable Clubs: It’s easy to throw caution to the wind when going out for drinks, so make sure to research the club you’re heading to and check if it’s actually reputable. Sketchy clubs can be teeming with people who don’t have your best interests in mind; the last thing you want is to find yourself in an unsafe situation!
- Watch Your Belongings at All Times: Clubs are rowdy by nature with countless people dancing, drinking, and socializing. When you’ve downed a drink or two and find yourself deep in a crowd, it can be tough to keep track of your belongings — so make sure you always know where your valuables are!
- Arrange a Meeting Point If Separated from Your Friend Group: You can be so focused on having fun that you get separated from the rest of your group. Setting up a designated time and place where you can rendezvous with your friends will help to put everyone’s mind at ease.
- Respect Local Customs and Laws: It’s all fun and games – until you break the law. Keep everyone’s spirits high by making sure you’ve briefed yourself on the local customs and rules you have to follow.
- Don’t Accept Drinks from Strangers: When you’ve had a drink or two, you’re probably no longer as guarded or inhibited; after all, there’s a reason why alcohol is called a social lubricant! Even so, it’s unwise to accept free drinks from strangers. At best, you’ll drink more than you can handle. At worst: the danger surrounding spiked drinks is very real.
- Use Licensed Taxis or Rideshares: While you shouldn’t drink and drive, it’s also just as important to be mindful of the cab you’re hailing. Only use licensed taxis or legitimate ride-sharing apps for your safety and peace of mind.
- Charge Your Phone Fully: In case of emergency, your phone is what will allow you to contact friends and authorities, navigate to a safer location, or simply to find out information online. A phone dying in crucial moments will definitely hinder your ability to keep yourself safe – so keep it charged!
- Eat a Good Meal before Heading Out: It’s common knowledge that drinking on an empty stomach means you’ll likely throw in the towel a lot earlier than you’d like. Before heading to a club, make sure you’ve had your fill — preferably a meal full of high-protein (or fatty) foods, as these can slow down alcohol absorption.
- Avoid Walking Alone at Night: An intoxicated brain is one that misjudges situations, is prone to impulsive decisions, and is slower overall. Plan out your transportation, stay in a group, and get home safe!
- Share Your Plans with Someone Trusted: This is a good rule of thumb for most situations – not just when you’re out clubbing! If someone knows what your plans are, they’ll know to get help if something doesn’t seem right.
- Pace Yourself While Drinking: You may have heard that life is a marathon, not a sprint. Well, the same applies when you’re drinking! Sipping your drink instead of downing it all in one go will help you to stave off alcohol’s effects throughout the night.
- Have Emergency Contacts Saved: If your night out suddenly turns sour due to an emergency, it’s important that you know who to call immediately.
FAQs
Where do students go out in Madrid?
Huertas has a bustling nightlife and is located right in the heart of Madrid. It’s popular amongst students, tourists, and locals alike.
Which is the best student area in Madrid?
The best neighborhoods for students (and other young people) to live in Madrid are Sol, Malasaña, Cheuca, Lavapiés, and La Latina as these areas are safe, diverse, and full of life.
Any student who wants to have fun while they’re studying would have a great time in any of these locations!
