Music

As the weather warms, Madrid heads out to its multitude of terrazas (terraces) where you can eat, drink, laugh, chat, flirt, and even enjoy some live music in a sophisticated ambience for the cost of a drink or tapa. Es Madrid lists the city's best on its website, broken down by style ("pure glamour," artsy, New York City inspired).

Madrid claims to be the world capital of flamenco. While some in Andalusia may (pretty passionately) disagree, most flamenco musicians do indeed pass through Madrid as it's the hub of Spain's recording industry. By buying dinner or a drink, you can spend a full evening wallowing emphatically in the heart-wrenching pain of cante jondo (deep song) and get happy with giddiness of sevillanas and rumbas. Here's a handy listing of over a dozen tablaos (flamenco clubs) and salas to keep you busy enjoying flamenco—the perfect trifecta of toca (guitar), canta (song), and baila (dance)—hasta que salga el sol (until the sun comes up). Be sure to contact the establishment you're interested in before going to inquire what their price structure is; for some, just a drink is required to enjoy the show but be careful it's not a 24 euro glass of house vino tinto (red wine).