Rainbow flags in Chueca, Madrid - ©UCityGuides.com
Madrid’s Chueca is one of the gayest neighborhoods in the world, having become more than a gayborhood -- it's a lifestyle. It’s home to dozens of trendy shops and gay bars, and is also where many of the straight locals and tourists choose to hang out. This is such a gay city, that even its straightest clubs have a certain gay influence, with many of them hosting gay nights and being mixed throughout the week.
Chueca is where everyone meets, and from there the destination can be a lively café or a sauna in the afternoon, before a very late dinner. The bars and clubs you'll choose to go to after that will depend on your taste and mood, and a friendly local will point you in the right direction.
Gay Bars
Enfrente
It’s a bar for bears but everyone else is welcome. It sometimes presents queer art exhibitions, and the resident DJs help keep it popular throughout the week.
Facebook Page: BAR-ENFRENTE
Lakama
Loud Spanish and international dance music plays as gogo boys shake their bodies for a crowd of all ages, local and tourist. As the night progresses, it becomes more of a dance club.
Facebook Page: LakamaBar
Mama Inés Cafe
During daylight hours, this is the café to go for coffee, tea, fruit juices, and cakes. It has an attractive décor, around which you may sit chatting with friends. While mostly mixed throughout the day, at night it becomes predominantly gay.
Website: www.mamaines.com
Museo Chicote
This trendy bar should not be missed if you're after a great cocktail. It's not exactly gay - you'll see as many fashionable heterosexuals as you will gay men - everyone comes here for some of the city's best DJ acts and drinks.
Website: museochicote.com
The Paso
Here you may enjoy a few drinks as you watch the guys and the music videos on the screens, or use the free wifi to connect. It’s open throughout the week, and gets packed on weekends.
Facebook Page: thepasobar
Zarpa
Bears, cubs and their friends get together at this friendly bar in Chueca. The loud dance music often turns its small interior into a dance floor.
Facebook Page: zarpamadrid
Dance Clubs
Bearbie
As you might as guessed, this is a club for bears, but everyone is welcome to its two floors, where pop and house music is mixed on Friday and Saturday nights.
Facebook Page: BearbieMadrid
Delirio
You don't have to wait for the weekend to drool over hot go go boys because you'll find them here on every day of the week. This is a fun gay club opening late in the evening, where you can party until the sun rises.
Website: deliriochueca.com
Ricks
Apparently every gay man in town passes by this bar/club, and the music seems to be a crowd pleaser. It’s found in Chueca and is a good spot to start your gay night out.
Facebook Page: ricksclubmadrid
Studio 54
Recalling the legendary New York club, this bar and club in Chueca attracts local celebrities and plays the latest dance hits (plus some classics).
Website: www.studio54madrid.com
Cruising Clubs
Attack
Themed nights create different experiences at this club meant for uninhibited fun. That may mean a night for those who love feet, free admission for the well-endowed, or a bodypainting party.
Website: www.attack-bar.com
Naked Bar
Despite the name, you don’t have to strip down to your birthday suit at this bar. You may keep some leather, underwear or other fetishwear on. But things may change after a few minutes inside, as you step into the large dark room.
Website: www.nakedbarmadrid.com
The Ring
The place to take it all off and enjoy some carnal pleasures since 2013, this club has 500 square meters of slings, glory holes, dungeons, and mazes.
Website: www.theringprivate.com
Strong Center
After a night out in Chueca, many men end up here, for some more drinking, dancing and dark room fun. The interior is divided into a bar with a DJ booth and gogo boys, and a cruising area with a large dark room and bunk beds.
Website: strongcenter.es
Saunas
Sauna Center
Said to be one of the world’s largest gay saunas, it’s open 24 hours and located in the city center. It offers massages, Turkish bath, Finnish sauna, private cabins, jacuzzi, gym and a bar.
Website: sauna-center.com
Sauna Gran Via
Found close to Chueca’s gay bars, this sauna provides professional massages, Turkish bath, Finnish sauna, Jacuzzi, cabins and a bar.
Website: saunagranvia.com
Sauna Lavapies
Open 24 hours, this sauna has special theme nights and massage services, in addition to the expected facilities.
Facebook Page: saunalavapiesmadrid
Sauna Octopus
This is the sauna that attracts the youngest crowd, and perhaps as a result it's one of the city's most popular. Go for the sauna, or choose the large pool and jacuzzi instead.
Website: www.saunaoctopus.com
Sauna Paraiso
If you're looking for a clean sauna with a Spanish ambience, this is the one to go. It's an attractive space with brick walls, where you'll find a helpful staff that does speak English.
Website: www.saunaparaiso.com
Sauna Principe
Attracting mature men and bears, it includes Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, jacuzzi, a dark maze, private cabins and a cinema.
Website: www.saunaprincipe.com
Gay Hotels
Axel Hotel Madrid
This gay hotel features quite a beautiful interior mixing the building’s original architecture and modern design. On the rooftop terrace is a bar and a pool overlooking the city, and before heading out to the bars of Chueca, guests can use the gym and the sauna, and enjoy a meal at the restaurant.
Hotel Puerta America
Featuring avant-garde design by world-renowned architects like Norman Foster and Zaha Hadid, this hotel attracts quite a number of gay guests. The bar on the top floor offers city views, and there’s also a good restaurant serving modern versions of traditional Spanish cuisine.
Gay Hostels
Hostal Room Pride
As the name suggests, this is a gay hostel, although it obviously also welcomes straight guests. It’s in Chueca at the doorstep of gay bars, and is the choice for those on a budget. There are no dorms in this hostel, only single and double rooms with private bathrooms.
Hostal Pizarro
You’ll often see the rainbow flag outside this straight-friendly gay hostel. It’s in a good location by the Gran Via and Chueca’s gay bars, and has a lounge offering guests the opportunity to meet each other.
Gay Hostal Puerta del Sol
Located in one of the city’s main squares, this gay hostel puts you right in the heart of the city. Some of the rooms have a balcony looking over the square, and although quite basic (this is a hostel, after all), they’re all comfortable. If you stay in the cheaper rooms you have to share a bathroom.
Madrid Accommodation
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