Nightlife: Castellana

La Castellana, home to official buildings, embassies and skyscrapers, is not only the capital's major financial and business area. It is also where some of the city's best bars and clubs are to be found, and the perfect place to enjoy after work drinks, or to rub shoulders with glamorous types and dance to all kinds of sounds, from techno to more alternative rhythms.

As the offices close for business, the district of Castellana lets down its hair, and trendy restaurants and exclusive clubs open their doors, making it one of Madrid's most stylish areas. The metro stops that serve this area are Nuevos Ministerios, Santiago Bernabéu, Cuzco, Plaza de Castilla and Chamartín.

If you want to treat yourself to an evening from up high, the Cuatro Torres Business Area skyscrapers are undoubtedly the perfect option.  Both the Élkar restaurant on Floor 33 of the Emperador Castellana Tower, and the Restaurant Volvoreta at the Eurostars Madrid Tower, in the Torre PwC, combine dinners and luxury parties with spectacular views over Madrid. The Caleido fifth tower also has an extensive commercial and culinary offer.

Foodies should also check out the Hotel NH Eurobuilding, where you will find a sushi bar, DiverXO (the only restaurant in Madrid with three Michelin stars whose chef David Muñoz was named the best chef in the world at The Best Chef Awards in 2021, 2022 and 2023) and a terrace with cocktails by Diego Cabrera.

There are plenty of Irish pubs in the area, along with new cosmopolitan-inspired venues in the same vein as Taxi a Manhattan with a New York atmosphere or Doña Tecla with its charming little terrace. Right in the heart of Castellana, you can also find Tasquita Los Ochoa, a lively bar where you can enjoy a good glass of vermouth served with some tantalisingly different tapas. You could also head to the terrace bar El Cielo de Castellana, or enjoy a delicious cocktail at Klimt Madrid or La Villana Gin & Cocktail Room.

The ground floors of emblematic financial buildings such as the Torre del BBVA, Torre Europa and the Torre Picasso also have clubs and bars where you can dance to Latino beats, among others.

But above all, in the side streets that lead off the Paseo de La Castellana and which run between the Plaza de Lima and the Plaza de Cuzco there is plenty of nightlife to enjoy. On Calle Orense, La Nuit plays techno, house and commercial pop, and Sala Nazca Live has resident DJs playing funky, house, and electro-latino tunes.

Those looking for a more alternative space with techno sounds, can visit Moby Dick in Avenida de Brasil. The Moe Club also has a good atmosphere and music and The Irish Rover is a place to have a drink, practise English or watch a show or musical performance.

Another great street for nightlife is Capitán Haya with clubs such as Kube and Banloo, an exclusive nightspot that draws a very stylish international crowd.  Also the fashionable new Panda Club Madrid that plays a wide variety of music; Rockville Madrid, a live music venue that hosts all kinds of music performances; and Gayarre, a club that offers a classic and elegant atmosphere when you’re out on the town.

More options? Located on the first floor of Chamartín - Clara Campoamor Station is Lab the Club, an establishment that includes a programme of leading  international DJs, and the Space of Sound sessions, which are held on Sundays.