Via Lactea

The word that best describes La Via Lactea is "legendary." This is basically the CBGB's of Spain...ground zero for the cultural explosion that happened in Madrid in the post-France 1980's known as the "Movida Madrileña." Basically, it was a time of getting stoned, rocking out, and letting your freak flag fly. La Via Lactea was the epicenter of the movement and a testament to rock'n'roll history.

These days, it remains a staple of Madrid nightlife and even though it has lost some of its edge, it's still one of my favorites. The walls are covered with psychedelic black-light murals and there are plenty of intimate booths carved into the walls. It has a pool table, dancefloor, and DJs playing an amazing selection of rock´n´roll, soul, rockabilly, punk, soul, and girl-groups. The drink prices are the norm for downtown Madrid and the place stays open until around 3:30 in the morning.

Vía Láctea is one of Madrid’s nightlife most legendary places. It’s been open since 1979 and it was the place where big names of the show and film industry met in the 80’s, like Almodóvar for example.

When it opened, it was the first of its kind in Madrid, and it became the most alternative business in the city at that time. A lot of people waited in line in order to get in.

It’s quite big on the inside, with two floors and a peculiar decoration, its walls covered with posters and signs.

I personally love it. It was one of the first places I went to when I started to go out at night.