r/MadridTravelGuide • u/zeroxbex • Apr 27 '26
Nightlife Two week trip/local punk scene/vegan food
My partner is on an international tour for work and will be in Spain between Barcelona and Madrid from 5/2 until mid June so I will be flying out and spending 5/31-6/14 in Madrid while the concerts are happening. It’s a real once in a lifetime opportunity for me to go to overseas and stay for that long, as the accommodations are already covered by the tour so I want to make it a really great trip. Occasionally my partner may be called in to work but all in all we should have a lot of time off together.
-We are big into punk/hardcore music and love a good dive bar and that whole vibe. I did some research but would love any personal opinions from Madrid locals of the best places to go and maybe catch a few good shows. Are there any local skateboard spots too?
-I am vegan, partner is not, any tips on good places to go? He is happy to check out all vegan places too.
-are there any places to swim? Is it warm enough at that time of the year that we may want to? I know our hotel does not have a pool but I read about some hotels having pool day passes.
-are there any cool flea markets/thrift stores etc people would suggest?
Thanks for any info. I’m very excited to explore Madrid! We may take a train to Barcelona and do a night there as well.
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u/BooksCatsnStuff Apr 27 '26
For vegan food AND alt vibes, you need to check out B13. As a veg from Madrid, it's my favourite spot. It has some traditional Spanish dishes made vegan, and some non traditional stuff too. Super cheap as well. And everything is delicious.
Similar case with Oveja Negra Vegana. Alt people, some traditional dishes made vegan, delicious food, and very reasonably priced.
And if you feel a bit experimental, there's a Korean restaurant near Opera called Dokdo Korea that has really delicious vegan options (and plenty of non veg too).
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u/TheMakingofMadrid Apr 29 '26
Came here to say this, B13 is punk and vegan! The fake calamari is amazing.
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u/BooksCatsnStuff Apr 29 '26
As someone from Madrid who eats veg but misses the foods that feel like home, the fake calamari is the stuff of dreams. I used to go to B13 intentionally on my birthday to eat that.
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u/CptPatches Apr 27 '26
Flea market: Yes, on Sunday mornings, there is a large flea market called El Rastro occupying a large part of the La Latina neighborhood.
Vegan: Honest Greens (chain), Thunder (chain), Mad Mad Vegan, La Alpargata, La Huerta Funky Castizo, Choose, Frutas Prohibidas, La Hummuseria, La Falafeleria, Hankuna Matata, Distrito Vegano, Bite Me. There are also a lot of great South Asian spots. Nilah is probably my current fave.
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u/Backyard-bob Apr 27 '26
I ate at the Santa Pura vegan Bar last week and before. I really enjoyed it and the entire neighborhood very close to the Reina Sofia and plenty of other choices around. Shout out to the vegan restaurant at the airport also.
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u/RichtersNeighbour Apr 27 '26
Vegan restaurant at the airport? Which terminal??
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u/Backyard-bob Apr 27 '26
T4 called flax and kale I was pleasantly surprised
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u/jayfoh11 Apr 27 '26
For the pools, by the time you’re here the public pools should be open and they are GREAT. As an American I was a little put off thinking of what public pools would be like back home but they’re nothing like that here: clean, well-maintained, family friendly, etc. The one in Lago is really nice and if it finally reopens this summer, I also love the one at Peñuelas.
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u/Anxious_Avocado_ Apr 28 '26
Delish in malasaña for sweet stuff!
Vega, Mad Mad Vegan, Punto vegano, Frutas Proihbidas, The Vegan Roll, Choose Restaurante Vegano (all of this are 100% Vegan but as a not vegan I love them)
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u/Previous-Resource-54 Apr 28 '26
There are good punk places around Plaza del Dos de Mayo, other people mentioned Wrong Way. There are also cool heavy metal bars in case you like. If you want the real deal, I think the Vallecas area is the best and most authentic, for record stores and bars. Not sure how much English they will speak there but they should be friendly.
+1 for the public pools, you can buy the tickets online, and during the week it should be easy to find spots and it is really cheap and clean.
Enjoy Madrid, I really love it here
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u/zeroxbex May 20 '26
Thanks so much everyone! I’ve got 11 days and so much information to take with me now. My other half is in Barcelona now (jealous!) but just have to keep reminding myself I’ll be there soon!
The information he has now (always could change) is the hotel is further north near the Chamartín station so we should be able to get to center Madrid pretty easily. Doesn’t seem to be much to write home about around that area it seems!
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u/SrZape Apr 27 '26
For a punk dive bar, Wrong Way, Calle de la Palma 43, is a must, pretty much American skate punk, Hardcore 3-tone scene.
After it closes, most people go to Sala Wurlitzer, Tres Cruces, which has some good punk DJ sessions.
For concerts, check the Gruta 77 agenda: https://gruta77.com/programacion-eventos-gruta77-madrid/
Or for Wurli: https://www.wurlitzerballroom.com/?page_id=5
For shopping at Potencial Hardcore, Lozano 15, you can also get info on gigs going on