The first drink, with live music 

The first drink, with live music Dinner in good company is only the start of a promising night. And so that everything is just right, when you finish dinner there is nothing better than a jazz concert in a place with character, such as the Café Central or the Berlín Jazz Café. The first is close to Plaza del Sol and is an essential visit for lovers of this type of music. The second is famous for its jam sessions. You can also go for something more alternative and rockier in Malasaña, such as Siroco, a veteran which has ten years of history behind it.

The best cocktails in the city 

However, if you prefer to begin with conversation and an elaborate drink, it is best to head towards the area of Castellana Norte and Gran Vía. There, you can try the best cocktails in Del Diego, for example. Fernando del Diego and his children will make sure that, rather than just a drink, we will savour an experience. We could add the Chicote to this list, which is no less appealing even though it has been around longer.

Glamour and select scene 

The next day is still far off, and the time has come to see where to start the best hours. The ambitious project of Palacio Fortuny, located, as its name indicates, in a small palace with a garden, combines a restaurant with the best music after dinner and the early hours of the morning. If we like house music without shrillness, the Bisú Lounge Club may be an option. We can also consider Castellana 8, one of the places to be seen.

The home straight to dawn 

Beside Puerta del Sol, and in a 19th century building, we will be surprised by Palacio Gaviria, a challenge to the imagination and the desire for high class enjoyment. And not too far away, in Calle Arenal,  Joy Eslava continues to be a reference point for those who like dancing and beautiful people. And to close this list of good clubs, we cannot forget Gabbana 1800 and its mythical dance floor.

A good end for a better start

Once the night is over, the time comes to get your strength back before getting some well-deserved rest. And that, in Madrid, means fresh churros (fried dough) and a good cup of hot chocolate. One of the most typical churrerías in Madrid is San Ginés, in the city centre (Calle del Arenal, 11, Pasadizo de San Ginés), metro Sol. 

"in" cooking

The gastronomic choice in Madrid is highly varied and great quality. If we are looking for something sophisticated where creativity, professionalism and taste for aesthetics prevails, a good place might be Pandelujo (Jorge Juan, 20, telephone 91 436 11 00) (1), a reference point among the avant-garde and fashionable restaurants in Madrid. Based on traditional cooking, with Asian, Italian and North American influences, the Midnight Rose Lounge Bar (Plaza de Santa Ana, 14, telephone 91 701 60 20/91 523 07 89) (2), is the Madrid version of the Gerber Group, owner of some of the best lounge bars in the world, such as in New York.

Acknowledgements: © Hoteles Travelodge: www.travelodge.es. Café Central. Siroco. Turismo de Madrid: www.turismomadrid.es. Del Diego. Palacio Fortuny. Joy Eslava.