Dirt Cheap Madrid

I’ll be frank: you can spend a lot of money getting wasted in Madrid. There are discos where it’s more customary to buy an entire bottle as opposed to a drink, and there are bars where and whiskey coke will set you back 15 euro. However, if you know where to go, you can also get wasted for pretty cheap. Get used to drinking minis, which are giant (GIANT) plastic cups filled with the alcohol of your choice, and a mixer. Calimocho is a local favorite, which is wine and coca-cola, but feel free to mix and match and make your own unique combination! It will set you back a about fiver, so order it up, grab a handful of straws and get to drinking.

Moncloa/Arguelles:
Get off at Metro Moncloa and follow the crowds up to an unsuspecting interior patio. Now take in the view: hundreds of party people drinking in the patio and running in and out of the dozens of bars that run together and are completely interchangeable. Drink specials abound, music blares, and early in the morning vomit adorns the floors, but here your five euro will take you far. Full of locals so get to talking and make friends with Spanish students.
Metros Moncloa (L3), Metro Arguelles (L3, L4)

Malasaña:
Malasaña is similar to Arguelles but the bars are a bit classier (not to be confused with more expensive). The best nightlife in this area lines Plaza 2 de Mayo and the following streets: La Palma, Espiritu Santo and San Vicente Ferrer. Chances are you’ll have a tough time deciding where to do with so many choices!
Metro Tribunal (L1, L10)

Alonso Martinez:
This is another neighborhood that’s popular with students, and the party starts quite early in the Plaza de Santa Bárbara, where Spaniards get all gussied up to stand outside to drink 40s and make their own minis. The crowd eventually disperses along Calle Santa Teresa and Fernando IV.
Metro Alonso Martínez (L4, L5, L10)

Chueca:
Chueca is really a high fashion neighborhood where each bar competes in an unspoken “I’m cooler than you” style competition. Still, as there are sooo many places to party, one can always find booze at bargain basement prices. In summer, Plaza Chueca is insanely crowded with people drinking, hanging out, and smoking joints. You can always BYO liquor to the square, pop a squat and get your party started. If you’re not into peeing on the street and prefer to be somewhere with plumbing, head to any of the bars on Calle Pelayo or Calle San Marcos.
Metro Chueca, Metro Gran Vía (L5)

Huertas:
The drinks start flowing in Plaza de Santa Ana and radiate outwards to the many adjacent streets. It seems impossible to recommend a specific place to go since there are so many. At last count, the tally came to infinity. Start at the top of Calle Huertas and work your way down. You might not get very far, but you will have a good time!
Metro Sevilla (L2), Metro Tirso de Molina, Metro Anton Martín (L1)

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