Flamenco----The Fairy Tale of Madrid

Voices filled with anguish and pain in cante jondo (song), rhythms of happiness and joy in sevillanas and rumbas (dance). Flamenco is all that and so much more, always passionate and intense. These qualities offer the genre an expressiveness that moves all spectators, regardless of where they are from or whether they understand the language. Flamenco makes feelings flow. Who hasn't felt moved by a dancer tapping her feet to the rhythm of a guitar or by a flamenco singer's passionate cry?

Madrid is the capital of flamenco. This statement may sound a tad categorical, but this city is the place to be for anyone looking to succeed in the genre. Any day of the week, the city offers a wide range of shows, from grand performances in the city's theatres to small song and dance recitals in tablaos or halls. Madrid is the hub of the flamenco record industry and the starting point for artists who tour the world, dazzling audiences.

With the rise of cafés chantants during the 19th century, flamenco enjoyed its finest hour in the capital. These days, tablaos (flamenco bars) carry on the tradition, offering a chance to see flamenco at its purest every evening while enjoying a fine meal or a drink.

Flamenco Tablaos in Madrid

Corral de la Morería

This is one of the oldest tablaos in the capital and opened in 1956. Since its inauguration it became one of those places whose fame spreads across borders and many personalities from every kind of social sphere have spent an evening having dinner and enjoying the show. From legendary 20th century US film stars like Gary Cooper, Rita Hayworth and Charlton Heston, to politicians and presidents like George Bush, Richard Nixon, John F. Kennedy, Henry Kissinger and Carlos Menem, as well as great artists such as Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. More recent visitors to the venue in Hapsburg Madrid have been Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, Hugh Grant, Rob Schneider, Adrian Brody, Natalie Portman, Richard Gere and many others. The most renowned flamenco artists have performed on this stage: Isabel Pantoja, La Chunga, Antonio Gades, Blanca del Rey and Pastora Imperio. It is regarded by many as the cathedral of Flamenco art in Spain. Nowadays it has its own permanent company of dancers, guitarists and singers. This is one hotspot in Madrid nightlife that you can’t afford to miss.

Address

Calle Morería, 17 28005

Torres Bermejas

The decoration in Torres Bermejas reproduces the Alhambra in Granada and is one of the most famous tablaos (flamenco bars) in the capital. Established over 40 years ago, it started out as the place that discovered the rising stars of the Flamenco world, both singers and dancer, like Camarón and Paco de Lucía.

It currently hosts shows by world-famous artists and has a Flamenco group composed of over 20 people. Live shows infuse the venue with the spirit of Flamenco, giving genuine pleasure to both experts and beginners. Singing, guitars and clapping accompany the Flamenco dancers during their performances in which improvisation plays a very important role.

Plus, the venue, only a short distance away from Gran Vía, also accommodates Spanish classical dance shows, with the intention of offering an ‘itinerary' around Spain’s various dance styles. There is also a restaurant, with a menu offering signature cuisine based on traditional market produce.

Address

Calle Mesonero Romanos, 11 28013

Las Tablas

This venue in the centre of Madrid between Gran Vía and Princesa offers a fusion of sounds and flavours from a range of geographical locations. The rhythm of a cajón (Flamenco percussion box) and the sound of a Spanish guitar strumming a bulería are the perfect accompaniment to the beat of the double bass and the melody of a saxophone improvising a tune.

However, Las Tablas is about more than just music; there are also puppet shows, storytellers and innovative theatre shows. How about enjoying the performances with a drink and a tapa? That’s also possible at Las Tablas, where you can try Madrid’s most typical tapas whilst sipping a delicious wine, beer or soda, as you’re carried away by rhythms and wonderful performances.

Address

Plaza España, 9 28008