Madrid Bilbao

Although discotecas and cheap drinks are easy to find, the student-filled streets and plazas usually empty out after a few cocktails, when the crowd heads to nearby Malasaña or Chueca. C. Hartzenbusch, C. Cisneros, C. de Fuencarral, and C. de Luchana all offer cheap tapas and beers.

Olokun, C. Fuencarral, 5 (☎914 45 69 16). From Gl. de Bilbao, walk south on Fuencarral. Beach scenes, tropical cocktails, and delicacies like tostones (fried plantains; €6) served on wooden barrels bring Cuba to Malasaña. The wall is covered with the names of patrons, phone numbers, and indelicate suggestions—add some of your own. Mixed drinks €5-7. Menú €9. Salsa Th 5:30pm. Open M-Th and Su noon-4pm and 8:30pm-midnight, Fri-Sa noon-4pm and 8pm-2am. MC/V.
Osteria Il Regno de Napoli, C. San Andrés, 21 (☎914 45 63 00). From Gl. de Bilbao, head 1 block down C. Carranza; turn left onto C. San Andrés. Exquisite Neapolitan food arrives quickly. A quiet place to eat a calm lunch. The bruschetta (€4) is unbeatable. Lunch menú €10. Dinner entrees €9-15. Reservations advisable on weekends. Open M-F 2-4pm and 9pm-midnight, Sa 9pm-midnight, Su 2-4pm. AmEx/MC/V.

Tapas Bars And Cafes

Café Comercial, Glorieta de Bilbao, 7 (☎915 21 56 55). M: Bilbao. The marble and high mirrors of Madrid’s oldest cafe have reflected the city’s artists, politicians, journalists, and bullfighters since 1887, but they don’t discriminate. Huge, well-lit, and open late. Coffee at the bar €1.20, at a table €1.90. Internet access 50min. for €1. Open M-Th 7:30am-1am, F 7:30am-2am, Sa 8:30am-2am, Su 10am-1am.

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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.