Having vermouth on Sunday with an aperitif on a terrace in the sun (do not try in summer) is a very Madrilenian ritual that has not lost steam. The taverns and bars of the early twentieth century put it on their facade as a claim and a century and a bit later it still works.
Vermouth, which can also be written vermouth (which is how it is pronounced in Madrid), is, in essence, wine macerated with herbs such as wormwood, which is what gives it its name, because this plant is called wemut in German . Although there are records of this type of preparations since before Ancient Greece.
1. Casa Camacho
Casa Camacho is the living history of tapas and vermouth in Madrid. It has been located in Malasaña since the 20s of the last century, and retains visible reminiscences of that past, as can be seen in its decoration or in the taps of the typical tascas of Madrid.
It is impossible to talk about it without referring to its “yayos”: a homemade drink based on soda, vermouth and gin, which can be accompanied by any of its tapas and portions. A good night out in the neighborhood starts (or ends) here.
Location: Calle de San Andrés, 4 (Malasaña)
2. Taberna la Elisa
La Elisa is the tavern where the TriCiclo group has wanted to bring out its most traditional side. They serve bar classics, which is the essence of any good Madrid bar, but they do not stop there. There are also sweetbreads, judión de la Granja and asadillo Manchego and, of course, as in any tavern with patina, vermouth on tap.
Location: Calle de Santa María, 42 (Las Letras)
3. La Colmada
A few meters away from Casa Camacho, we continue with the Madrid vermouth route at La Colmada. Half bar, half store, this wine bar with the spirit of an old grocery store is the perfect place for an aperitif in Malasaña. It is the closest thing to a neighborhood bar, but with the Malasaña filter.
The preserves decorate and accompany the vermouths, although the portions of cold meats and cheeses they serve (and which they also sell by weight) are also very good products.
Location: Calle Espíritu Santo, 19 (Malasaña)
4. La Hora del Vermut
La Hora del Vermut is one of the traditional safeguards in the Mercado de San Miguel, as touristy as it is beautiful. Nothing confuses with the name of this stall. The vermouth of Madrid is assured in all its colors and barrel. You can accompany it with a tapa of pickles that are as good a dance partner as wine and cheese. If you want to learn more about this macerated wine, they do tastings here.
Location: San Miguel Market (Pl. de San Miguel, Stalls 22-25).
5. Vinegar Brothers
It is difficult to renew what has been working well for decades, but Hermanos Vinagre manages to appropriate the phrase “bar de toda la vida” being one of the youngest on the list.
What survives and distinguishes this neo-tavern from the new openings is its commitment to the bar culture, the escabeches (hence the vinegar), the quality of the well-drawn beer, no longer so easy to find, and the Zarro vermouth on tap as its flagship. All wrapped up in an updated decoration in which there is no lack of modern versions of the tile.
Location: Calle Cardenal Cisneros, 26 (Chamberí); Calle Narváez, 58 (Ibiza) and Calle Gravina, 17 (Chueca).
6. Angel Sierra Tavern
Taberna de Ángel Sierra joined the club of Madrid’ s century-old bars in 2017. Its walls made of wood from Cuba and tile from the Cartuja de Sevilla, covered with old bottles and barrels everywhere, are proof that renovating is not always a good idea. People have been coming here to drink vermouth on tap since 1907, when Ángel Sierra decided to convert the old bodega into a tavern.
In case you are familiar with its interior: Pedro Almodóvar shot some scenes here for the 1995 film La flor de mi secreto (The flower of my secret).
Location: Calle de Gravina, 11 (Chueca)
8. La Ardosa Winery
At La Ardosa in Malasaña you go to eat tortilla, but that doesn’t mean they don’t do justice to what their century-old façade advertises, the vermouth on tap goes well with the tapa.
It is called bodega because its founder, Rafael Fernández Bagena, created the chain to market his wines in Madrid, as he was the owner of the wine region called “La Ardosa” located in the lands of Toledo. In 1970 it was acquired by the butcher Gregorio Monje, and it was his wife who made his exquisite omelettes known by winning several competitions. Their pints are also well known, so much so that they have the oldest beer tap in Guinness.
Location:Calle de Colón, 13 (Malasaña).
9. La Violeta in Chamberí
La Violeta in Madrid is not only the typical candy nor the most traditional cuplé, it is also a vermutería in Chamberí. In La Violeta they serve more than 30 types of vermouth, but every month there is a special one. The “castizo” is not only a poster on the wall (which abound), but an intention that is materialized in the forms: the wines are served in a flat glass and the tapas are served in stainless steel trays.
Location: Calle de Vallehermoso, 62 (Chamberí)
10. VinoPremier
A plan without fissures: two vermouths and two appetizers for 8 euros per person to enjoy any day of the week, except Sunday, in a place dedicated, with care, to spirits. VinoPremier, in the heart of the Salamanca district, takes care of a tremendous collection of wines, beers and, of course, vermouths. And among the appetizers of this plan you can choose between the mixed chorizo and salami, the hummus appetizer or the olive appetizer.
📍Location: calle de Francisco Silvela, 25 (Salamanca neighborhood).
💸 Price: Two vermouths and two appetizers for 8€.