Madrid loves its rooftop terraces, and in summer they deserve the attention. But when the evenings get colder, some of the most memorable nights in the city happen below street level, in brick cellars that have been there for centuries.
Why old Madrid has so many cellars
The old centre of Madrid, around Plaza Mayor, La Latina and the Austrias, is full of buildings with vaulted cellars underneath. Over the centuries they were used for storage, from wine to coal. In Spanish they are often called cuevas, literally caves, even though most were dug and built rather than found.
Many of those spaces now have a second life as taverns, restaurants, music rooms and small stages. The brick walls and low arches give them a feel that no modern bar can copy: warm, intimate and slightly theatrical.
Around Plaza Mayor
The streets around Plaza Mayor, especially near the Arco de Cuchilleros on the south-west corner, are famous for restaurants and taverns built into old cellars. Walking down the steps from the plaza in the evening, you will see the arched doorways leading underground.
Flamenco in a cave
Flamenco and small cellar rooms are a natural match. Several flamenco venues in the centre use underground or cave-like spaces, which suit the closeness of the music. In La Latina, Calle de los Mancebos itself has a small flamenco room next door to Off Latina.
Comedy in a cellar
Comedy works best in small rooms with low ceilings and people sitting close together. Laughter spreads more easily, the comedian can see every face and the energy has nowhere to escape. A brick cellar is close to perfect.
That is why our shows take place in La Cueva, the 17th-century coal cellar at Off Latina, with brick walls and a vaulted ceiling. It is one of the most atmospheric comedy rooms in Madrid, and the front row is right by the stage.
What to know before you go underground
- It can be warm. Cellars fill up and heat up. Layers are your friend.
- Space is tight. Small rooms mean limited seats, so book ahead.
- Stairs. Most cellars are reached by steps. If you have mobility needs, contact the venue in advance.
- Phone signal can be weak. Have your ticket saved before you head down.
An underground evening in La Latina
- A drink at street level around Cava Baja, a street that follows the line of a ditch outside the old city wall.
- Down into La Cueva at Off Latina for a 21:30 show.
- Back up for a late dinner, then a walk through Plaza Mayor on the way home.
Which show?
No Offense, But... is loud, chaotic and full of audience interaction, which suits the closeness of the cellar. The Arab and the Jew mixes comedy, music and conversation in the same room. Both are in English.
For more ideas when the weather turns, see our list of indoor things to do in Madrid at night, then check the next dates and come down the stairs.
