This is the place to go, especially for authentic bars; you’ll find plenty of them around Plaza del Dos de Mayo.
Malasaña is home to many students and creative types. Originally a working-class neighbourhood, it became the scene of the free-spirited Movida Madrileña movement in the 1970s. This subculture, which is akin to punk, emerged as a reaction to the post-dictatorship era following Franco. It was a time of newly discovered freedoms in music, art and nightlife. Malasaña is now hipper than hip – it’s bursting with brunch spots and trendy bars, such as those on Calle de la Palma. Yet the alternative vibe in the neighbourhood is still palpable, thanks in part to the abundance of street art and vintage shops.
