Believe it or not, it is very possible to have both a relaxing weekend and a weekend full of activities with friends. I will show you how to accomplish it in Madrid.
If you’re like me and want to go out Friday night but not feel your worst the next morning, opt for a fancier cocktail bar where you’d spend the same amount of money as you would pregaming and going clubbing. I know I sound like an old man recommending one or two cocktails over shots and light shows but there are very hip bars in Madrid. A friend of mine found a list of the cheap bars ( https:www.hostelworld.com/blog/best-bars-in-madrid/ ) that we tried and loved! They were also full of young people! Friday we hit up number five on the list, “1862 Dry Bar” and we both ordered delicious Moscow Mules. This bar is definitely a place I will take anyone who comes to visit me. The bar got to be so crowded we left and walked around the vivid neighborhood of Calle de Pez to later end up at another hip cocktail bar that was decent but more importantly, affordable. We ended the night getting a slice of pizza and heading home. The next morning I slept in and left for the gym; something I never would have done if I went clubbing. Then I relaxed and had a big lunch and siesta. Once I was well rested I left for the National Archaeological Museum with some friends because it is free to all after 2 pm on the weekends! Afterwards, we left for another bar on the list since we were in walking distance. Number four, “Cafe de la Luz” was perfect for the occasion because we were a mentally drained from the large museum and the rain made us want to get warm and cozy. The grandma-like furniture inside the cafe made me want to stay there all day. This place is great for all times of the day too, they serve breakfast, lunch, coffee, tapas
Sunday, the next morning I went for a run, again feeling fine! After my run I relaxed and did some yoga. Afterwards, I hung out with the kiddos since they were home most the day. Once I finished lunch I jumped on the metro towards a neighborhood called Lavapies which is now my favorite neighborhood in Madrid. It had a downtown Portland vibe to it with many earth loving hippies and stylish hipsters. I can promise you that you’ll find a yummy tapa and a good drink at any bar you go to there and all for a reasonable price. The neighborhood was also very diverse, full of street artists, musicians, and overall funky people. There is a large community of Africans there and many LGBTQ supporting places. I went to Lavapies on a particularly busy day. This neighborhood is the go to spot to get a beer on a Sunday and there was an event going on that we partook in, called “TapaPies.” Cute, right? the event consists of almost every bar in the neighborhood (I think about 50) offering one of their tapas with an Estrella beer for the low cost of 2.50 euros. I’m not a huge fan of beer but I would go to this event just to people watch and stroll through the streets of Lavapies!
Other than traveling I think this is my favorite way to spend a weekend. To top it off, I got to facetime my parents afterwards and see my dog so I don’t see how it could possibly get any better than that.
I hope your weekend was as fun as mine!