Madrid is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most exciting and energetic cities. The Spanish capital buzzes with culture and vivacious nightlife that typically stretches into the early hours of the morning. Music soundtracks Madrid’s restless pulse and the city abounds with excellent music venues offering an eclectic palette of sounds to suit most tastes. There are plenty of great venues to explore but here’s a handful of our favourites.

 

El Junco Jazz

An atmospheric jazz club with a suitably late license, El Junco is an intimate venue that can get cramped but rarely fails to deliver a night of musical thrills and spills. For the most part El Junco’s bill errs towards newer forms of jazz, funk, R&B and soul rather than trad jazz.
 
Plaza de Sta. Barbara, 10, 28004 Madrid,

 

Clamores

Another legendary jazz club, Clamores is something of a Madrid institution. With over thirty years on the clock, recent times have seen this atmospheric subterranean venue expand its remit beyond jazz to encompass an eclectic spectrum of sounds including blues, folk, flamenco and even rock. In the absence of any live music (a rare occurrence) expect to find DJs presiding over a lively dance floor.
 
 Calle de Alburquerque, 14, 28010 Madrid

 

Sala El Sol

Forty years after it first opened its doors, Sala El Sol is well established as Madrid’s most famous live music landmark. Back in its early days it played a part in the emergence of La Movida Madrileña (The Madrid Scene), which saw the blossoming of a rich countercultural atmosphere in the city as Spain emerged from Franco’s oppressive regime. The spirit of that era lives on at Sala El Sol, where rock still rules.
 
Calle de los Jardines, 3, 28013 Madrid
 
 

Siroco

Located in Madrid’s hip Malasaña barrio, Siroco has plenty of local competition when it comes to cool, alternative nightspots but stands out as a live music venue offering an appealingly eclectic programme. Spread over two floors, Siroco plays host to chilled out vibes upstairs and more energetic dance-oriented sessions on the ground floor.
 
Calle San Dimas, 3, 28015 Madrid
 

Sala Riviera

One of Madrid’s most popular music venues, La Riviera often plays host to big touring acts (at the time of writing Vampire Weekend and Charlie XCX are among the acts set to play in the coming months). It’s a suitably impressive 1,500 square metre space enhanced by an expansive terrace, which comes into its own in the summer months. Despite its size, La Riviera – like all the best medium/large gig venues – can still seem quite intimate, so you don’t feel too remote from performers. Drinks are ambitiously priced, but that’s hardly unusual in large music venues.
 
Paseo Bajo de la Virgen del Puerto, S/N, 28005 Madrid
 

Café La Palma

This sprawling venue plays host to an impressively diverse array of acts across a variety of rooms. Whatever your mood you’re likely to find what you’re looking somewhere in its labyrinthine network of spaces. Expect to encounter everything from up and coming local bands and relatively well-known touring acts to dance music Djs and more traditional music. Café La Palma perfectly captures Madrid’s joyful embrace of musical eclecticism.
 
Calle de la Palma, 62, 28015 Madrid