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Spain’s national theatre and orchestra are based in Madrid, and classical concerts are often held in many small, but delightful, venues like the Fundación Juan March. A night at the opera or the ballet at the opulent Teatro Real is unforgettable and surprisingly affordable. Don’t miss the classic home-grown operetta called zarzuela; try to see an outdoor performance if you can, held at the Corralla or the Jardines de Sabatini. Otherwise the Teatro de la Zarzuela has a year-round programme. There are bars and clubs catering to all other kinds of live music, particularly jazz and blues. Madrid is also, perhaps surprisingly, one of the best places to see flamenco in Spain. Besides the tablaos, the theatres often feature some of the best-known dance troupes and singers, so it’s always worth having a look at the listings magazines mentioned below. And if you just want a quiet night at the movies, head for the delightful art deco Cine Doré. Ticket prices vary according to performances, but are usually considerably less than London or New York prices.
The weekly guide La Guía del Ocio, http://www.guiadelocio.com, in Spanish only, is available from kiosks and has extensive theatre, music and opera listings. It’s pretty good for live music too, but rubbish when it comes to clubs and bars. For what’s going on in Madrid’s ever-changing nightlife, get flyers from the Mercado del Fuencarral (see below) or pick up a copy of the English-language monthly newspaper InMadrid, with reviews of the latest bars and clubs. The free What’s On guide from the tourist office has some cultural listings in English. On Fridays, the daily newspapers El Mundo and ABC both produce entertainment supplements which can be useful, and you can pick up the freebie LaNetro, http://www.madrid.netro.com, in most shops (all in Spanish). Also see http://www.madridhoy.net
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