The best of the barrios: Chueca

A minimalist and sexy film-rental café spinning all-day chill-out sounds (and occasional techno). As well as a fabulous selection of movies, there are delicious sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes and cakes. A peaceful place to start the day, upbeat and lively at night.

This taqueria has managed to give a cosmopolitan, modern twist to Mexican cuisine. The tacos are their strong point, and there are meat-free tacos for vegetarians, and you’ll find good tequilas at the bar. The decor is very urban, reflecting the modern and carefree spirit of Tepic.

Located in the Hotel Lusso Infantas, this restaurant has cooked up a menu that everyone can feel good about. Various tasty starters, appealing main courses based on meat and fish dishes, and classic desserts. The wine list, while not risky, is full of safe bets. You're guaranteed to leave satisfied. 

If you can actually make it through the door, order a beer or a cider and marvel at the hefty tapas that come with it – patatas bravas, jamón serrano, Spanish omelette… it's all free, and each plate varies (and gets bigger) with each round. The bar itself is incredibly noisy and always absolutely rammed. But it does disprove the theory that there's no such thing as a free lunch.

This battered old bar with its tiled walls, zinc bar top, overflowing sink and glasses stacked on wooden slats has become the Chueca meeting-place par excellence, thanks to its position overlooking the main square. A newer room to the back of the bar, however, has a faux pub look enhanced with amplified MOR radio and a rule that only doubles and pints are served after midnight.  

Inspired by the success of Mercado de San Miguel, the neighbourhood of Chueca saw the opening of the remodelled Mercado de San Antón in 2011, which has become one of the area’s prime leisure venues. The first floor is given over to a traditional market with numerous gourmet food stalls, while the second floor has food to take away and show cooking demonstrations, as well as a terrace-restaurant where you can enjoy a lively aperitif.

Here you can find everything from thousands of geographically and thematically classified postcards to all types of objects from the 19th century, magazines, trading cards, photographs, cut-outs, watches, lighters, badges, toys, optical instruments, tin boxes ...

This is one of the best bookstores in the capital and a must for fans of photography and graphic design. Since its inception back in 2000, Panta Rhei has specialised in the visual arts, with a special emphasis on contemporary culture, making it the ideal place to find a wide range of titles from the world of advertising, exhibition catalogues, fashion books, special editions and illustrated children's literature, together with a gallery specialised in drawing and illustration.

Currently the place to get a new look in Madrid's trendiest quarter, whether it's a cut or colour, an original up-do, extensions or a lesson in make-up that suits you. This innovative space also stocks international style magazines, CDs and even a Wi-Fi connection.

This small Chueca-based bar is presided over by the stage located at the back of the establishment. Although its powerful lightly shaded wooden bar runs from the door to the stage, everything seems to lead to the same place. While you’re sipping on a cold beer, a glass of wine (which combines perfectly with jazz) or a cocktail, the stage lights up and a local band starts to play. The bar has played host to funks bands like The Sweet Vandals and blues and jazz artists like Tail Dragger and Rockabilly. There are also occasional African music concerts in which the whole place and the crowd resound to the beats.  

Located on a corner very near Chueca metro station, Truco is a small bar that’s often very crowded and usually with extremely young and loud party people. No matter: this high-octane corner joint remains the place for gals who are looking for gals in the earlier part of the evening. It’s also a stone's throw from the very popular girl bar Escape. The music here is varied, with hits of the ’80s and ’90s alongside contemporary sounds. You can drink beer, tall drinks and more sophisticated cocktails. It’s popular with lesbians, though you’ll also find gay men and straight customers here.

The large window lets you see from the street that good vibes abound in this small and cosy lesbian bar where all the details are very carefully taken care of. The music dished up by the resident DJs sets the public dancing on the two floors of this small and colourful bar. There’s also live entertainment some nights. If you're more culture-oriented than a party animal, make sure you catch one of the monologues or plays performed here.  There are usually special celebrations scheduled at Halloween, for the Gay Pride parade, and during Carnival time.