At 1862 Dry Bar, the cocktail reigns supreme. From the street, this bar may seem like any other. Its garage style windows and cement floors have become a staple of Madrid’s Malasaña neighborhood, where Dry Bar is located, and a hallmark of other hipster hangouts around the city. But step inside 1862 Dry Bar and you will encounter something entirely different from the typical Madrid cocktail spot. Rattling ice shakers and background jazz music fill the air with sounds of an era gone by. Dry Bar’s street-level interior has a lofty feel about it, sparse with tables and high bar stools where people gather to talk in hushed tones as they sip on traditional libations and house specialties. For a more intimate atmosphere, descend to the lower floor where you’ll find a softly lit space, with a bottle cage on one wall, velvet upholstered banquettes and a small second bar that’s occasionally manned.
Despite industrial touches, 1862 Dry Bar has a decadent, throwback feel, reinforced by the quiet speakeasy space downstairs. The swanky ambiance combined with impeccable attention to detail in the crafting of their drinks makes 1862 Dry Bar entirely unique among the many neighboring Malasaña bars. The barmen here take their cocktails very seriously, so it’s hard to go wrong with anything on the menu. Dry Bar really shines when it comes to preparation of the classics; it’s one of a few places in Madrid where one can find such drinks as the Gimlet, Tom Collins or even a Pimm’s Cup, prepared to perfection. The prices at Dry Bar are equally on point, 8€ will get you any drink on the menu and some nut mix to snack on while you debate what to order for round two!
Why We Love 1862 Dry Bar
- For their curated menu of expertly-made classic cocktails and more creative concoctions, a rare commodity in a town aflush with a Gin and Tonic craze.
- Because, when it comes to mixology, the bartenders know everything. We love to pull a stool up to the bar and pick their brains.
- For its classy-cool style, with industrial elements like its sparse-but-sparkling chandeliers juxtaposed against details that recall an old world charm.
What we keep coming back for
- The Prado: tequila, maraschino, lime, cream and sugar, olé!
- The Negroni: sweet vermouth, Campari and gin, or, for an off-the-menu take, their White Negroni.
- The Cocktail of the Month, creative and delicious, perfect when you’re up for a surprise!
Author: Elizabeth Schaller