When people think of the capital city of Spain, they think of paella, flamenco and siestas, but Madrid is more than that. Madrid is an exciting city with multiple layers, and the LGBTQ+ community is just one of its famous layers, with tonnes of things to do. Neighbourhoods like Chueca are renowned for having some of the first LGBTQ+ nightclubs and bars. Chueca is the epicentre of Gay Madrid with its numerous shops, bars, restaurants and nightclubs. The annual Pride festival also happens in Chueca; just by walking around the neighbourhood, you’ll see how proud people are to be part of the community.
I remember getting off the Chueca metro stop and taking a long breath during a trip there. Seeing all the rainbow flags hanging from windows and buildings made me feel that I was in a safe space. This is a feeling many travellers have when first arriving in Chueca, and this is one of the reasons why it’s so unique and special to the LGBTQ+ community.
Is it safe travelling as a gay person in Madrid?
Being lesbian or gay in Madrid is very safe. Since 1979, same-sex activity has been legal, and since 2005, same-sex couples have been allowed to get married.Plaza de Chueca is the district’s centre and where everyone hangs out. It’s also where most events happen during Pride festivals, which usually occur in late June or early July. The biggest Pride parades in Spain are in Madrid and Barcelona, which are usually attended by millions of people. This showcases how important Madrid and other key cities in Spain are to the LGBTQ+ community. You’ll find numerous LGBTQ+ book and retail shops, allowing you to shop for queer-related items without shame.
Does Madrid have gay-friendly neighbourhoods?
Gay Madrid has one its own neighbourhood, and that’s Chueca. Since the 1970s, LGBTQ+ people have moved into the neighbourhood because it was hidden and considered unsafe, with poor social conditions. Queer folks felt safe there because no one would bother going to this area due to numerous community drug-related issues. This allowed them to create spaces like nightclubs, shops, and restaurants where they could go and be themselves. Chueca is next to Gran Vía, and its main areas are Plaza de Chueca and Fuencarral and Hortaleza streets. It’s in the centre of Madrid and easily accessible by foot or car, but there is also a Chueca stop at the metro station. Though the majority of LGBTQ action takes place in Chueca, you can also visit La Latina and Malasaña, which are other gay-friendly neighbourhoods nearby.
The best gay nightlife spaces in Madrid
If you want to check out Gay Madrid’s nightlife, heading to Chueca is necessary. There you’ll find more than 20 gay bars and clubs. Walking around, you’ll find that most bars and lounges cater to the LGBTQ+ community. On my first visit to Madrid, I started exploring the neighbourhood and ended up at more than five different types of bars because walking around was so easy. It also made me feel safe, since most places were well-lit, and others like myself were visible even late at night. The great thing about being in Madrid is that everything is nearby, and you don’t have to walk or drive too far.
Black & White
Black & White is one of the first LGBTQ+ nightclubs that opened in Chueca and has become a favourite due to its drag shows. It’s the type of place you check out right away when you get into town, since it’s an iconic neighbourhood staple. It’s all about drag shows; here, you’ll find performers from Madrid and worldwide. It’s also an open space for non-LGBTQ+ people to come and see a show. The nightclub is open every day and till 5 am on most nights.
Barbanarama
Barbanarama is a themed ’90s bar in the Chueca neighbourhood. It’s a tiny festive space with a long bar popular with locals and travellers. If there’s ever a new episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race on, this is the best place to watch it. The bartenders are friendly, and the cocktails are moderately priced and decent. The bar opened in 2015 and was designed to be a welcoming place for any local or traveller. It’s a great place to meet before or after another event – perfect for having a few pre- or post-cocktails.
Fulanita de Tal
Fulanita de Tal is a tiny bar and nightclub made for LGBTQ+ women. It’s a perfect space for LGBTQ+ women to come and have a drink and watch a show. The bar is small, and most of the room is taken by the performance stage, but you can find different types of shows here almost every weekend. If you go on particular weekends, you can head up to the bar’s second floor. It’s called Fulanita VIP Club, where DJs spin different musical genres (like techno and house) while you dance the night away.
Fraggel Pop
Dedicated to the bear subcommunity, Fraggel Pop is a campy bar that sometimes has different events during the year. The bar has been open for about 14 years, and it’s a space for every type of furry traveller to come inside and have a drink. They have a Rolodex of different DJs that perform, and, typical to Madrid nightlife hours, the bar becomes incredibly popular after 2 am on weekends.
Boite
Check out Boite if you want to dance the night away. This disco party usually happens on the weekends. It’s filled with LGBTQ+ folks looking to drink, dance, and be safe. It’s supposed to be a popular hangout for club-goers. Boite is the type of place you head to late, as it becomes popular around 2 am to 3 am. If you’re not much of a night owl, this might not be the place for you, but if you’re down, visit on a Saturday.
D Mystic
If you’re into craft cocktails, check out D Mystic. It’s a cute bar on the corner of Pelayo and Gravina streets. It’s modern and has outdoor seating during warmer months. It’s a great space to sit outside and people-watch. The last time I was here, I spent hours drinking wine (responsibly), eating tapas and watching people wandering around. This bar is very relaxed and doesn’t feel pretentious at all. It’s been in the neighbourhood for over a decade and could be a nice break from the more active bars and discos.
Gay hotels in Madrid
From luxurious boutique hotels to modern and funky options, Madrid has it all. These hotels not only provide a comfortable stay, but also offer a sense of community and inclusivity. So, come and enjoy the vibrant LGBTQ+ scene in Madrid, and stay at one of these amazing hotels.
Axel Hotel Madrid
Axel Hotel Madrid is an adults-only gay hotel in Madrid where heterosexuals are also welcome. It’s located in Barrio de las Letras but has other locations in Barcelona and the Canary Islands. The hotel has a fantastic sky deck terrace and pool with views of most of the city, and also has a nightclub and numerous bars and restaurants. It has 88 rooms, and the interiors are all designed in modern avant-garde styles. It’s a popular hangout for queer men, but they also have events for queer women. If you’re here in the summer, take the elevator to the terrace and enjoy a cocktail with a city view.
Room Mate Oscar
Room Mate Oscar is not necessarily a gay hotel in Madrid, but it’s minutes away from most of the bars and restaurants in Chueca. That’s what makes it a worthy mention, and it also has a fun rooftop with views of most of Madrid. The Room Mate Oscar Hotel is a funky, modern, 3-star hotel with moderate room rates. The amenities include a rooftop pool with a restaurant attached and an indoor restaurant on another floor. This boutique hotel is also near Calle Gran Vía, making the rest of Madrid accessible by metro or on foot. They have a weekend brunch program on the rooftop restaurant that I’ve heard is exceptional.
Only YOU Boutique Hotel Madrid
Only YOU is a stylish option if you’re looking for a more upscale hotel near Chueca. Located within walking distance from Chueca’s stores and nightlife, this 19th-century modern mansion will give you a peek into a more luxurious side of the city. The property has one restaurant on-site, plus a bakery that focuses on gluten-free options. It also has a cocktail bar built in 1915 where you can order classic drinks with a twist, like a Negroni rosato (gin, bitter, Italicus, lime foam and a dehydrated orange). The hotel also sports a Thai room wellness centre where you can enjoy treatments ranging from massages to facials.
Madrid’s gay events
Madrid is a city that knows how to celebrate diversity, and its LGBTQ+ events are some of the most exciting and inclusive in the world. From the colourful and flamboyant Orgullo Gay de Madrid to the kinky and sexy SleazyMadrid, there’s something for everyone.
Orgullo Gay de Madrid
Madrid Pride, locally known as MADO (Orgullo Gay de Madrid), is one of the world’s most influential Pride events. It started in 1978 as a protest after the Stonewall Riots in New York City and has evolved into an annual celebration in late June and early July. The parades have always been in the neighbourhood of Chueca, since most LGBTQ+ establishments are in this area. The celebrations (which get longer and longer every year) consist of different events like speaking panels, festivals, parties, drag and artist performances – and Plaza de Chueca is where a lot of these events happen. In 2017, Madrid was selected to host WorldPride, which brought in millions of attendees from all over the world.
SleazyMadrid
Touting itself as “the alternative male fetish and electronic music festival in Southern Europe”, SleazyMadrid is an annual celebration almost every spring, usually around April. Like the Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco and New York, it’s all about fetish and music. This adults-only festival has events like nightclub parties and bar takeovers, all celebrating sexual liberation.
LesGaiCineMad
Every November, the LesGaiCineMad film festival takes over Madrid. It’s organised by Fundación Triángulo, an organisation set on creating greater equality in Spain for LGBTQ+ people in healthcare, education, and more. Since 1996, the film festival has featured independent LGBTQ+ filmmakers in various formats. The film festival allows calls for entries, enabling different types of filmmakers within the community to showcase their work globally. As a traveller, you can buy tickets to the various showings.
Juegos del Orgullo de Gmadrid Sports
Happening alongside Madrid Pride in June, Juegos del Orgullo de Gmadrid Sports is an annual festival that allows people in Madrid and beyond to organise and play different sports like football, baseball, basketball, and more for a medal and recognition. The organisation behind the events is Gmadrid Sports, an athletic club for LGBTQ+ community members. It has numerous events throughout the year, but June is its version of the Olympics. The event has been coinciding with the Pride parade for over 14 years and usually lasts six days.
A guide to gay shopping in Madrid
Madrid is home to a variety of unique and inclusive stores that offer a range of products for the LGBTQ+ community. From the oldest LGBTQ+ bookstore in Spain to quirky gift stores and dessert shops, Madrid has something for everyone. So, grab your friends and hit up these incredible stores that offer a safe and welcoming environment for all.
Berkana
The oldest LGBTQ+ bookstore in Spain and Latin America is located in Madrid. Created by Mili Hernández García, a Madrid native who has lived all over the world, it served, and still serves, as a place of refuge for women and LGBTQ+ folks to shop freely. In 1993, Berkana became one of the only shops in Spain where LGBTQ+ people could shop without shame for buying something queer-related.
La Pollería & La Coñería
If you’re interested in eating body parts made of waffle mixes, check out La Coñería and La Pollería. They’re not necessarily LGBTQ+ stores, but they’re strategically placed in the middle of Chueca, which makes them an attraction for many visitors and locals. The shops are primarily dessert stores, and you can order different toppings.
A Different Life
A Different Life is a bookstore also located in Chueca, and it’s famous for having a broad range of LGBTQ+ or queer-friendly items for sale. The bookstore provides content for various types of people within the LGBTQ+ community and is a favourite among locals and travellers to shop from. They also sell video content and apparel.
DirtyPop Concept Store
DirtyPop is a quirky gift store in Chueca between Hortaleza and Gravina streets. They have postcards, apparel, mugs, socks and more. It’s a great place if you’re looking for a gift or something out of the box. The novelty items here are hilarious, and I’ve been told by a friend or two that many things here skirt the line of being inappropriate but in a playful way.
If you want to expand your horizons, make sure you explore our LGBTQ+ guide, and our LGBTQ+ travel guide for tips and suggestions on how you can have fun and be safe when wandering in the world. You can also check our guides for Madrid travel or our LGBTQ+ guides for other cities.
