Mario Villalon's dual-level concept on Calle de la Reina: upstairs, a wine bar with one of Madrid's most thoughtful by-the-glass programmes skewing toward Spanish natural producers; downstairs, a cocktail bar where the farm-to-glass philosophy means seasonal ingredients, house-made preparations, and drinks that change with whatever the market delivered that morning. The two levels attract different crowds at different hours and the effect is of two excellent bars sharing an address. The wine programme alone would justify the visit. The cocktail programme raises it into something rare.
Location
Chueca, Madrid
Map
Insider Intel
Upstairs: a glass of Spanish natural wine — ask staff to guide you through Mentrida, Ribeira Sacra, or whatever is open and exceptional. Downstairs: a seasonal cocktail built on whatever the market provided. The house vermouth preparations. A Negroni variation to see how they interpret the classic with farm-sourced ingredients.
Early evening from 7pm for wine upstairs when the by-the-glass selection is fullest. After 10pm for cocktails downstairs when the bar fills. The dual format means two visits in one evening — start upstairs, migrate down.
Calle de la Reina 4, Chueca. Gran Via metro. Wine by the glass EUR 5-10, cocktails EUR 13-16. On the same street as Del Diego and Cock, making Calle de la Reina one of Madrid's essential drinking addresses. Cards accepted.