Madrid on the Weekend

First real night out in Madrid was definitely a learning curve situation. 


Here is what I learned and will try to do for next time.  This is both information accumulated from my own learning experience and what I heard from other people.


Note to self #1: Not everything in Madrid is open until 5 am.  But people do stay out that long, if not longer.


Note to self #2: The 'popular' places people tell you to go are filled with Americans, drinks are relatively expensive, and they are not necessarily all that awesome, unless thats the kind of atmosphere you are looking for.


Note to self #3: (similar to note #2) Mostly American music is played.  There were some modern hits, but some of the most notable groups heard on Friday night at a 'popular' joint were Spice Girls, Grease, Santana's Mambo #5, etc... 


Note to self #4: Even old people stay out late!


Note to self #5: Plan better for next time. (Refer to proposed game plan...)


9:00 pm- Eat dinner with the host family
10:30 pm- Leave the house via metro to meet up at a tapas bar.*
11:00 pm- Have a drink and some tapas.        
12:00 am- Stay at present tapas bar if it is fun, or got to a new one.
1:00 am- repeat 12:00 am decision, or go to the disco if you want to get in for free.**  If you want to go home, you can still take the metro for another 30-45 minutes. (But you are a party popper if you go home this early.)
2:00 am- Tapas bars close.  Time to head out to a pub or the discoteca. If you want to go home, maybe you can catch the last metro train. (But you'll still be a loser)
3:30 am- Pubs close, all food options are over.  If you still wan t to stay out, go to a discoteca, where you will have to pay a hefty cover charge, but it may be worth it.  Make sure you have had enough drinks to last through the sweating and dancing, drinks are even more expensive.  If you can, try to get a ticket from a promoter so drinks and the cover are combined prices and cheaper. 4:00 am- Leave the discoteca. this is only acceptable if you are willing to accept defeat and the fact that you are in fact a loser, you're friends are too tired, or you have been robbed or feel uncomfortable (unlikely situations, but they can happen and you should always be cautious and aware of your surroundings and your friends whereabouts). Remember, you have to take a cab.
5:00 am- Keep on dancin' Sally!
6:00 am- Discoteca closes. Take the metro home, it starts again at 6 am.  Debatable what is the cause/effect here; i.e. metro opens at 6 am because thats when people want to leave, or people stay out until 6 am because the metro doesn't open until then anyway.


*At any point in the night, tapas bar, pub, or discoteca may be substituted for boteón, a event that is literally drinking in the streets.  Supposedly illegal, but from what I saw, it didn't really look like it...


**It is only free on some nights, like Thursdays, or may be cheaper on certain nights.  Try to look for club promoters that hand out discounts and coupons for deals.