LOOKING FOR MR GOODBAR

GOOD BUSINESS BARS

In London social life centres on the home, in Paris restaurants, in Madrid bars. It is the social alcoholic's paradise. The following list does poor justice to its 14,000 establishments.

Hispano

Paseo de la Castellana, 78. Popular with executives.

Palace

Hotel, Plaza de las Cortes, 7. Watering hole for the political set.

Palacio de Gaviria

Arenal, 9. Magnificent palace with labyrinthine salons.

Suecia Hotel

Marqués de Casa Riera, 4. Discreet spot for an after-lunch dry martini.

Wellington Hotel

Velázquez 8. Popular for after-work/pre-dinner tipple.

FUN BARS

Madrid is one fun bar interrupted by streets. A few bar cathedrals:

Cock

Reina 16. Favourite among intelligentsia/fashion set. One of the only places in Madrid where you can hear yourself shout.

Café del Oriente

Plaza del Oriente, 2. Elegant, Belle Epoque café.

Castellana 8

Paseo de la Castellana 8. Golden boys, yuppies mixing with would-be female partners.

El Espejo

Paseo de Recoletos 31. Elegant 'greenhouse' café.

In the summer, Madrid's magnificent Paseo de la Castellana and the Paseo de Pintor Rosales in Argüelles have popular terraces lining its pavements.