Bares… ¡qué lugares!

In Bars, Those Places!

People are inevitably crazy about such places, we all have our favorites. The bars in which we fell in love, laughed, shed tears, made friends and discovered songs and acts that were never featured on TV or the mainstream. Unforgettable moments (and also moments that we fortunately don’t recall for whatever reason). Madrid has much to recommend but the bars have a special place in our hearts. The places just around the corner and the ones that specialize in cocktails. Those that hold shows and others with unbeatable tapas. The shabby chic spots and the exquisite surroundings. Some cater just for workers. Traditional, modern and typical. Some are clandestine while cafes are spaces for social gatherings or to chat about literature. Perhaps a place to go before or after catching a theatre show or concert? All types of establishment for every perceivable persuasion.

If you were in Spain during the mid 80’s, you will likely be familiar with The Gabinete Caligari band hit “Al calor del amor en un bar” (“In the heat of love in a bar”). Even if you didn’t like the song and putting personal taste aside, the chorus provides the perfect title for our latest group exhibition with more than twenty pieces specifically prepared for the occasion.

Our artists pay tribute to the bars and those that run these unique ventures. The proprieters whose tirelessenthusiasm and hard work combines to make each hostelry quintessentially Madrid, each displaying a singular style and atmosphere. 

Maybe we love the bars even more now since the virus disrupted our lives? Let’s face it, Madrid is not Madrid without that special hubbub these magical destinations create. As bars gradually reopen, the businesses are trying to pick up where they left off. Sadly, some are not returning but one thing this recent pandemic can’t destroy is the certainty that they’ll always exist in the hearts and minds of their patrons. 

Come and see the exhibition. Perhaps you’ll discover a place you’ve never visited. The featured spots, past and present, are possessed of a magic that should be experienced and not explained.

See you at the bar!