Long live Madrid!

They say there’s nothing more Spanish than aperitif time… but when you live in Madrid, this moment becomes a way of experiencing the city; it becomes a meeting point, the terraces are packed, and every sip of vermouth or beer is a knowing wink to our way of enjoying life. And if there’s one place where this moment is experienced with special intensity, it’s Viva Madrid, the coolest and most iconic tavern in the heart of the capital.

This century-old establishment, which has witnessed almost two centuries of stories, gatherings, and toasts, has become the meeting point for those passionate about the good life. A space where traditional Madrid custom and culinary innovation come together to offer an experience that transcends a simple aperitif: here, the spirit of Madrid is celebrated in every detail.

The city’s most authentic aperitif

In a gesture that pays homage to the essence of Madrid, Viva Madrid presents an irresistible duo. The MADrid-91 cocktail, created by the renowned Diego Cabrera, is accompanied by a selection of traditional Madrid appetizers designed by chef Víctor Camargo. This offering fuses history, creativity, and flavor into an experience that can only happen in this city.

The MADrid-91 is a liquid manifesto, a cocktail that tastes like Madrid. Inspired by the traditional Madrid-style French toast (torrija) and crafted using the Milk Punch technique, it achieves a silky texture and a surprisingly deep flavor. It combines spice-infused milk, honey, milk bread, Jerez brandy, and red vermouth. It is served on a small plate that pays tribute to the old tradition of tapas and is topped with a mini caramelized French toast.

The name says it all; it blends references like the telephone code (91), the city’s airport (MAD), and the passionate madness of Madrid (MAD in English means “crazy”). It’s not just a drink, but a sensory experience that captures the essence of the capital.

To accompany the cocktail, a selection of bites that reinterpret the traditional spirit of Madrid. A mini braised pig’s ear sandwich on brioche, a cocido croquette with all its accompaniments, confit and fried pork belly with piparra peppers, and Russian salad with smoked salmon on Sardinian bread. A sensory journey through the most recognizable flavors of Madrid, transformed with contemporary technique and sensibility.

A city icon

In the heart of the city, Madrid’s most iconic century-old tavern has reinvented itself without losing its essence, becoming the trendiest spot for an aperitif.

Viva Madrid is a living piece of the city’s history. Founded in 1856, its legendary interior, with tiles from Casa Mensaque, a bar sculpted from wood, and a ceiling crowned by handcrafted harpies, transports visitors to another era. Upstairs, the “Dark Side” recreates the atmosphere of a 1920s Madrid bar, the perfect setting for lively conversations and endless nights out.

Its history is full of anecdotes. One of the Mensaque brothers came from Seville to expand the family tile business, became a regular customer, and ended up paying for his drinks in ceramics. This barter still decorates the place as a testament to time.

Today, thanks to the combined talents of Víctor Camargo in the kitchen and Diego Cabrera in mixology, this century-old tavern is one of the most vibrant spots in the capital: the meeting place for the city’s coolest people, a unique space that has welcomed locals and visitors for generations.

Viva Madrid experience

What happens at its tables is a true feast for the senses. Here, Madrid’s flavors are reinterpreted with a contemporary touch: traditional, yes, but also cosmopolitan, like the city itself. The menu is a journey that unites past and present, neighborhood and world, history and creativity. A celebration of the most authentic Madrid… and the one that never stops reinventing itself.

With its unique atmosphere, its gastronomic offerings, and its signature cocktails, Viva Madrid has established itself as the place to enjoy an aperitif in the capital. And let’s be honest, there’s nothing more Madrileño than raising a glass in a tavern and shouting: Long live the aperitif!