Madrid night life – nice bars to relax and enjoy music?
 

We will be staying in La Latina for 4 nights, near Cava Baja. We are a couple in our early 50’s and not looking for a party scene but looking for bars that have a good atmosphere and maybe some east listening live music (jazz, etc.) – catering more to us older folks - lol. Would love to find some places near our apartment but are willing to walk to different areas if required. Our 4 nights will be over a Sunday – Wednesday, not over a weekend, so maybe that will limit our options to find live music.

Also – any recommendations for Flamenco in Madrid? Prefer a more authentic experience vs. tourist experience. Dinner service is not a requirement.

Hello. It looks like the Plaza Mayor is just north of your place. I don't have an exact recommendation for you but the plaza is a great place to walk. It is a large square with restaurants and bars located around it. Of course those places spill out on every street too haha. But if you look for that square you should be able to find plenty of places to suit your speed. I was there in 2012 and it was a fantastic trip! Have fun!

Cava Baja area is usually jammed with people...not all young but many..

Cafés near Opera / Palace are less hectic......not sure about music...

Jazz isn't really a Spanish art form, although there are some places with jazz musicians, some international, some local. I don't know of any in the Latina area, there is a wellknown jazz club near Puerta de Angel called Cafe Central.
http://www.cafecentralmadrid.com/

I'm not into flamenco myself, but a poster named kimhe has posted a lot on the best venues for that in various cities, including Madrid, I believe, maybe a search and you can find them.

The jazz places I know are more in the Chamartin area which is a bit north.

As Christina suggests, the best live jazz venue in town is Cafe Central just off Plaza Santa Ana and five-ten minues walking from Cava Baja. Only top national and internatinal performers and changing every week. It's true that Spain is not a jazz country in itself, but many of the best flamenco artist are jazz aficionados and vice versa, and it often comes to show in Cafe Central. Great atmosphere and quite ok food as well. Have spent several memorable late nights here: http://www.cafecentralmadrid.com/

The first time here in 2010 we saw these guys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CnUJLsKVW8
and brilliant Colina with super star Silvia Pérez Cruz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLJqn6CNnPQ

Populart, a bit further down the street, is also a fine place: http://www.populart.es/

You are also very close to two of the best tablaos/flamenco restaurants in Spain, only top of the shelf artists perform here.
Casa Patas: http://www.casapatas.com/
Cardamomo: http://cardamomo.es/
Fuensanta La Moneta in Casa Patas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbO_lw2xWtU
Paloma Fantova in Cardamomo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vcqy7MyvZQ

... sorry, this gruop of fabulous musicians met us at our first night in Cafe Central: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFgvSO26o1c

You'll find most of what you need at www.esmadrid.com/en/live-music/

You'll find night life in Madrid starts a little later then what you are probably use to at home. Locals normally do not head out until after 9:00 and many of the clubs and bars do not close until the very early hours. Places like Casa Patas open at noon to catch the tourist trade.

Thanks everyone. I will look at the recommendations made.

We saw flamenco at Cardamomo some years ago ..it was a great performance.

The live performances at Cafe Central start at 10pm.

<Places like Casa Patas open at noon to catch the tourist trade>

Might be, but the performances starts 22:30 weekdays and at 21:00 and midnight in the week-ends. Many local flamenco aficionados at the performances which frequently include the absolute greatest on the current scene.

Some clips from Casa Patas the past couple of years:

Fuensanta La Moneta, voted best female flamenco dancer 2009 by Spanish critics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbO_lw2xWtU

Pastora Galván, voted best female flamenco dancer 2010 by Spanish critics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY6Vy9tKW3U

Olga Pericet, voted best female flamenco dancer 2011 by Spanish critics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55waEsaBzjM

Fantastic and cutting edge Israel Galván, he has revolutionized male flamenco dance during the past fifteen years: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL9Wav9v7Jc

Estrella Morente, now the world's most famous cantaora (female flamenco singer): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sejSYMSQDZo

Saving for my upcoming trip

Regarding flamenco in Casa Patas, the performance goes on in a seperate room from the bar and dining room. You could have dinner here before the performance, but many would go directly for the flamenco. Haven't had dinner here, but there is a nice bar with fine tapas. So I can recommend a glass and a bite before the performance to take in the atmosphere.

Paloma Fantova frequently dances at close by Cardamomo. If she is one, I would go here. She tore down prestigious Sadler's Wells in London in 2013, and her career is taking off right now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck7hMzNH3b8

More great info everyone. Thanks!

And yes, part of my wanting this info is because we want to experience the late night life, which is different than here at home – especially for us 50+ year olds. After all – “when in Madrid!”

And for music, Jazz was just an example of something that is “easy listening”. We’re really looking for somewhere where we can enjoy a drink, listen to some music and still be able to have a conversation – as opposed to a loud dance club – although who knows what would might happen if we stumble into one of those - lol.

And we'll look at the Flamenco venues as well. We didn't get a chance to take in a show in Seville or Cordoba last year, so we're really hoping to be able to in Madrid.

<looking for somewhere where we can enjoy a drink, listen to some music and still be able to have a conversation>

I guess the music will take you inn at Cafe Central, but perfectly doable to have a conversation in the back or in the bar. You nevertheless might experience something similar to these guys (not Cafe Central, but Silvia Perez Cruz have performed here every now and then): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eqJAAi1kE8