Bodega de la Ardosa
8.5Friend Score / 10#2 of 13 Bars & Nightlife in Madrid
Known fortortilla de patatassalmorejocroquetascallos a la madrileña
A gorgeously preserved 1892 taberna in Malasaña pouring vermouth on tap under a ceiling of dusty bottles. Locals come for the tortilla de patatas and salmorejo; regulars duck under the bar counter to reach the tiny back room. Standing room only most evenings — arrive off-peak or embrace the squeeze.
Key facts
| Hours | Sun–Thu 09:00–02:00 Fri–Sat 09:00–02:30 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Tribunal (Metro L1, L10), 3-minute walk |
| Time needed | 45-90 minutes |
| Best time to go | Weekday around 13:00 or before 20:00 for elbow room; Sunday midday for the classic vermouth hour |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.5/10- Value8.5
- iconic7.0
- Freshness9.1
- Crowd level5.5
- Authenticity9.3
- Accessibility9.0
Frequently asked questions
- Is it true you have to crawl under the bar?
- Yes — the little back room is reached by ducking under a flap in the bar counter, and it's half the fun. Staff will wave you through; grab a spot there if you can.
- When is La Ardosa least crowded?
- Weekday early afternoons, or right at evening opening before 20:00. From 21:00 onward, and all day Sunday vermouth hour, expect a friendly scrum.
- Do I need a reservation at La Ardosa?
- No, and they mostly don't take them — it's a stand-at-the-bar taberna. Just show up, order at the bar, and claim a barrel table when one frees up.
- What should I order at Bodega de la Ardosa?
- Vermouth on tap, a wedge of their famous tortilla de patatas, and the salmorejo. Those three are the house classics, and a round of each with a caña won't break €20.
- What's near La Ardosa worth combining it with?
- You're in the heart of Malasaña — Plaza del Dos de Mayo is five minutes away, and Calle Fuencarral's shops are around the corner. It makes a perfect first stop on a tapas crawl through the neighborhood.
- How much does a meal at La Ardosa cost?
- Budget roughly €20-30 a head for a proper graze of tapas with vermouth or beer. A quick tortilla-and-caña stop is well under €10.
- What are Bodega de la Ardosa's opening hours?
- Daily from 9:00 in the morning until around 2:00 (2:30 on Friday and Saturday nights). The kitchen runs continuously, which makes it a great mid-afternoon option when other kitchens are shut.
- Why is there Guinness in an old Madrid bodega?
- Quirky but true — La Ardosa was one of the first bars in Madrid to pour Guinness on draft, decades ago, and it's still on tap. Locals treat it as part of the furniture, alongside the vermouth.
Nearby in Ask Madrid
- La Bicicleta CaféCafé0.17 km · 2 min walk
- Museo de Historia de MadridMuseum0.25 km · 3 min walk
- ChuecaNeighborhood0.27 km · 3 min walk
- Museo Nacional del RomanticismoMuseum0.3 km · 4 min walk
- Café BelénCafé0.32 km · 4 min walk
Where to stay near Bodega de la Ardosa
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