Madrid is an incredible city, with a wide variety of live music events and nightlife. Flamenco is one of the most popular performing arts in Spain and especially in Madrid.
So what are the best places to watch a good Flamenco show in Madrid? What are the best Flamenco shows in Madrid?
Here's our guide to everything you need to know about the scene and especially Flamenco in Madrid.
Flamenco in Madrid is attracting more and more visitors looking for a unique and authentic holiday. In this article, we take a look at the best flamenco tablaos in Madrid.
THE BEST FLAMENCO SHOWS IN MADRID. SPANISH MUSIC AND DANCE.
Immerse yourself in Madrid's famous flamenco spectacle by attending one of these shows in our favourite tablaos (flamenco bars). It'll be an unforgettable evening, with the best artists and the best food if you choose the show with dinner option! It's hard to choose one, but we'll try to make it easy for you by explaining everything you need to know about each of these flamenco temples.
1. TABLAO FLAMENCO TORRES BERMEJAS
The interior of this tablao is magnificent and well worth a visit. It replicates the interior of the Bermejas towers of Granada's Alhambra, with walls and ceilings decorated in Arabic motifs. As well as the impressive decoration, the flamenco you'll find here is authentic.
No wonder, according to Cats Staff, this is the best flamenco show in Madrid. After more than 50 years of performing, they continue to captivate audiences with the atmosphere created by the music and dance.
They have different shows throughout the season covering different styles of flamenco. The guitarist, clappers and singers accompany the bailaores and bailaoras, creating an intimate experience where improvisation plays an important role.
Camarón's cuisine doesn't disappoint either: they offer set menus included in the price of the show, inspired by traditional Spanish cuisine and cuisine d'auteur.
Camarón has been performing here for 12 years... what if you went there and met the next flamenco legend?
2. CORRAL DE LA MORERÍA
This tablao is one of the oldest in the capital, having been open since 1956 and gaining in popularity for hosting high-profile personalities and for always being open! Hollywood stars such as Gary Cooper and Rita Hayworth, as well as famous artists such as Picasso and Dalí, were among its customers.
Nowadays, don't be surprised to find film and music stars, government presidents and members of royal families here.
But that's not what makes this place so remarkable - it's the prize for the best flamenco tablao in the world! Isabel Pantoja made her debut here and Paco de Lucía performed his famous hit 'Entre dos aguas'.
It's not for nothing that many consider El Corral de la Morería to be the temple of flamenco in Spain...
What's more, this establishment has two gastronomic areas with fresh ideas that follow their shows - in other words, fine cuisine!
3. CAFÉ DE CHINITAS
Café Chinitas opened its doors in an 18th-century palace and was inspired by the famous Café Chinitas in Malaga, which was the most important "café cantante" in Spain. These were venues that offered live musical performances, but from the 1960s onwards, flamenco tablaos took on this role.
The Café de Chinitas attempts to recreate that golden age of cafés in the mid-nineteenth century, where intellectuals and celebrities of the time would gather to discuss any topic and sip alcohol while the cantaores played.
Today, this is the place to enjoy authentic Spanish cuisine, with cocido madrileño the star dish that everyone talks about.
Its stage is famous for its decoration with colourful manila shawls, and for hosting renowned artists such as La Chunga and Rosario. They opt for globalisation in their casting and have foreign dancers.
4. LES CARBONERAS
This is located in one of the capital's most traditional districts, Madrid of the Austrians, and was also created with the idea of recovering the old cantante cafés, but also of adapting to contemporary times, with a very avant-garde style.
They combine great shows, with regular exhibitions by visual artists, with top-quality gastronomy. This perfect combination ensures that all the tables are always booked, by locals and tourists alike.
Here, you can breathe art, as the artists devote themselves heart and soul to dancing and singing, and their impeccable interpretations will enthral you. You don't need to be a flamenco expert to spend an unforgettable night here!
5. TABLAO FLAMENCO LAS TABLAS
This is another classic Madrid tablao located between Gran Via and Calle Princesa, in the centre of Madrid. It offers a fusion of sounds and flavours from different origins that appeals to all audiences.
The good thing about flamenco tablaos is that every night can be a unique show, as they improvise a lot and generate much more rapport with the audience than a theatre would.
This touch of freshness is what defines Las Tablas. Their presentations are varied and of high quality. And it's not all flamenco, as they also offer puppet shows, storytelling and state-of-the-art theatre.
The food on offer is simple, as you know you're mainly going to the flamenco, but the products are top-notch (cheeses, pâtés, Iberian sausages). The price of the show and tapas is more than reasonable. They have two daily passes, so more chances for you not to miss it!
6. TABLAO FLAMENCO VILLA ROSA
This century-old establishment is a renowned flamenco tablao, the oldest in Madrid. It opened its doors in 1911 next to the Hotel Victoria, famous for hosting many of the best-known bullfighters of the time. In fact, it was two picadors (those in charge of measuring the bravery of the bulls) and a banderillero (the one in charge of putting up the flags) who were responsible for its opening.
Every evening, the Villa Rosa tablao is enveloped in a unique Andalusian atmosphere, with great dancers, guitarists and singers. Of course, you can accompany the show with a drink or dinner, choosing from dishes such as grilled meat, fried fish or paella.
It is easily recognisable by its impressive tiled façade in the privileged enclave of Plaza de Santa Ana. Its interior is inspired by the Alhambra in Granada, and the style is Andalusian Arabic, with elaborate arches and ceilings.
The tiles decorating the walls are real jewels, with scenes of bullfighting and flamenco, so it's hardly surprising that this place has fascinated such important guests as Ernest Hemingway and Ava Gardner. What's more, prestigious directors such as Pedro Almodóvar and Fernando Trueba have recorded scenes from their films here.
7. CARDAMOMO
Just a stone's throw from the Puerta del Sol, in this tablao, guitar and percussion masters, singers, dancers and bailaoras give their all, creating a unique and very personal atmosphere.
Live performances take place 3 times a day, every day of the week. And the entrance fee includes a welcome drink. There is also the option of enjoying a full dinner, à la carte or from a menu. They have up to 6 different menus with the most emblematic dishes from all corners of Spain. There's something for everyone!
The tablao pays attention to every detail: the quality of the lighting and sound is incredible; the setting is lively, and the customer service is impeccable. The only flamenco tablao recommended by the New York Times and recognised as 'Madrid's Cultural Heritage' - find out why!
8. CASA PATAS
You can smell the flamenco at Casa Patas from the moment you walk in - the walls are decorated with photos of artists who have performed here. And part of their clientele is made up of many artists who have settled in the capital.
It has two clearly differentiated areas, the tavern-restaurant with access from the street and open to the public, and the tablao at the back behind another door, for people attending a show (where you can also eat and drink). By having this independent room, all outside distractions and favours are eliminated, and an attitude of respect towards the artists is created.
It is a reference point for flamenco art and, as well as the nightly show, they organise exclusive flamenco singing recitals, photo exhibitions or book presentations. Many guidebooks consider it one of the best tablaos in Madrid, but if you need another reason to go, it's literally on the doorstep of Cats Hostel Madrid Sol!
9. ZIRYAB COFFEE
Ziryab was a poet, gourmet, musician and singer, famous for introducing refined oriental customs to the court of Cordoba. Ziryab Café aims to capture the spirit of this great figure, an innovator and trailblazer in many disciplines, by creating a space where music, gastronomy and education, as well as other cultural disciplines, coexist.
With its simple but highly polished decor, the show is the centre of attention. Flamenco is made up of many styles or 'palos', and their aim is to get you to listen to as many of them as possible.
It's a space of knowledge and pleasure, and those coming here for the first time to a flamenco show in Madrid will want to explore more.
To round off the evening, you can choose from a variety of cold tapas and wines on the menu. This evening will be a delight for all five senses!
10. CANDELA
Perhaps the most authentic and party-friendly venue on this list - it closes at 6am! It became home to many flamenco and non flamenco artists who came not necessarily to perform but to give their art.
Camarón, Paco de Lucía and Tomatito have all been seen here, as have other international artists such as Ruben Blades, Sade and Alicia Keys, all keen to take advantage of what the place had to offer.
Flamenco shows take place on Fridays and Saturdays, but the rest of the evenings continue to be a rumba and flamenco club, so consider coming here to enjoy yourself!
The decor is inspired by classic Andalusian patios and as you cross the main stage, you can descend to access its famous grotto, a place full of memories, dances, laughter and anecdotes that are already part of flamenco history. It is said that Enrique Morente celebrated his birthday here three days in a row.
In this place, anything can happen, as there are always interesting people around. It's less than a minute from Cats Madrid Hostel, so there's no excuse not to go and enjoy an authentic experience!
Favourite
My favourite part is the traditional Flamenco show, what's important to me on this trip to Madrid is to see the traditions of this city, their customs and fiestas, so it's only natural that I'm drawn to their most famous performing art which is traditional Flamenco!
FAQ
- Is flamenco better in Madrid or Barcelona?
Flamenco is not from Madrid or Barcelona. Madrid is closer to Andalusia, so would go with that. I'd plan it for any night when you don't have better plans, in either city. There are some good venues (and a few tourist traps) in both cities, but as CuthbertJ said, flamenco isn't really of either.
- What happens in a flamenco show?
This Andalusian art form incorporates singing, dancing and music, mainly based on the sound of the guitar. The different styles of flamenco, known as "palos", are characterised by great emotional intensity, both in the words of the songs and in the interpretation of the artists, whether they be singers, dancers or guitarists.
- Which Spanish city has the best flamenco?
Madrid is the capital of showbiz. Spain's capital is also the ideal place to enjoy the best flamenco. Madrid offers flamenco shows at all hours of the day and night, in theatres and tablaos, including the emblematic Corral de la Morería.
- Why do flamenco dancers look angry?
In most dances, the dancers also speak with their faces: frowning, smiling, showing seriousness, anger... This is how the artists must reinforce the message, feel and transmit so that the audience feels as well during their performance.
