Estefania Ruilope

Updated Friday, March 8, 2024-02:18

Lately, some restaurants have begun to incorporate small

speakeasy

spaces or

clandestine areas

into their spaces that function as booths where customers can quietly enjoy an after-dinner drink without having to leave the premises.

Whether for convenience, to save time or to get the most out of the place, the truth is that this trend has more and more followers.

A fashion that, perhaps, wants to wink

at the establishments of the first decades of the 20th century in the United States

, when prohibition prevented the consumption of alcohol and it was done secretly in hidden places.

The current ones are spaces that are characterized by having interesting cocktail menus and a complete wine cellar with numerous brands to the taste of their varied clientele, and they also add live music from a group or DJ sessions.

Here, some of the most demanded...

LE CLUB SHUSHITA

The Asian restaurant chain Grupo Sushita wanted its location on Alcalá Street to have a broader offering than just lunch and dinner.

That's why they propose a

non-stop afterwork

from 12 to 1:30 a.m. (Thursday to Sunday) animated by the music of a live DJ.

"You have a 360-degree experience," they say from the premises.

In addition, they have increased the cocktail menu with three large categories, the

Author

, designed by Yeray Monforte;

that of

Classics

and a special one of non-alcoholic creations.

Where

: Alcala, 63. Tel. 91 828 0647.

FLOREN'S GARDEN

Last Christmas, the

king of vegetables

, Floren Domezain, returned with the new establishment called El huerto de Floren, by the LaFábrica Group.

His large establishment started with just a restaurant, but now it opens on its lower floor what is sure to become the trendiest place in the city.

"It is the perfect space to extend the after-meals and the evenings. We are going to focus on live music, especially flamenco, because Floren is a lover of this music and has great artists as friends. We do not rule out that, one night or another , a familiar voice appears and a song starts. What we are looking for is spontaneity and good vibes," they say.

Where

: Génova, 21, Centro.

Tel. 91 319 51 34.

CEFERINO GRILL

In this

100% Argentinian space

for barbecues and good grilled meat, they don't want the day to end after a copious and delicious meal, which is why they have a small clandestine club that is accessed by some internal stairs.

"

Malevo

is Ceferino's best kept secret; a charming

speakeasy

with signature cocktails located on the ground floor. Here you can enjoy everything from classic drinks to custom-made ones, while enjoying live DJs from Wednesday to Saturday. For us "Malevo is a place designed for enjoyment," the management explains to us.

Where

: Jorge Juan, 27. Tel. 639 26 75 15.

CUTTING ROOM

This business is increasing locally in the Salamanca neighborhood, although there are still some nuances to open its doors.

In addition to their delicious food, they will have a new area reserved for enjoying afterward, located in the basement under the main restaurant.

From there they point out that "their club will take center stage, in which there will also be availability to eat or reserve a space entirely privately, as well as, if the occasion requires it, it can be transformed and accommodate a DJ table."

Of course, the cocktails will continue to be very present, with a

menu prepared by Juan Valls

(from Niño Perdido de Valladolid),

Amarguería

and

Javier Bonet

;

to which is added a

vending

machine with mixed drinks and even beverage carts.

Where

: Ayala, 27.

ROBUCHON

Robuchon's reserved area for drinks and cocktails.

In addition to being able to enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner at L'Ambassade or L'Atelier, it has a

speakeasy

that combines music and cocktails,

emulating the famous Parisian

bars

of the 1920s

.

A return to the past where you can enjoy delicious cocktails made by Mario Villalón, Angelita's famous

bartender

, who has created ten exclusive creations, inspired by the gastronomic universe of Joël Robuchon, such as

Champagne and pear

with sparkling wine, pear, cilantro and goud or Ham

and artichoke

, based on artichoke, Iberian ham bourbon, watermelon and chorizo ​​pepper.

A plus?

On certain days, a

big band

performs a selection of the greatest hits of French music.

Where

: Paseo de la Castellana, 12. Tel. 91 670 94 95.

RHUDO

It is the

new trendy place that chef Paco Roncero has opened

together with Alex González, Miguel Ángel Silvestre and Antoine Griezman, and that seeks to go beyond just being a restaurant.

Both afternoons and evenings are entertained by DJs, and as they themselves explain, "excitement and intrigue are guaranteed: every night there will be surprises that make the experience unpredictable."

The cocktail and drink menu is created by mixologist Miguel Pastor, a regular in the best cocktail competitions worldwide, who has created a signature selection with many Latin ingredients, giving importance to textures.

Two recommendations?

The

Atila,

with tequila, mint, chili, avocado and lime, or the

Casio

based on rum, roasted pineapple, honey, almond and citrus fruits.

Where

: Velázquez, 64. Tel. 672 669 246.

PABBLO

The new premises of the Carbón Group land strongly in the capital with a space of more than 2,000 square meters distributed over two heights.

To liven up the evening, there are

daily live shows

, with different multidisciplinary artists who are accompanied by a band to add a touch of live music, leaving Thursday nights for live DJ sessions.

As a plus, one of the partners explains to us that, "at Pabblo, we have an exclusive and independent space for corporate

afterwork

, called the Atelier, with capacity for 50 people. There, every day from 6 p.m. any client "You can enjoy a complete cocktail menu, with our versions of the best-known classics, and a more daring offering with innovative techniques."

The drinks menu is in charge of Óscar Horcajo who, together with the group's gastronomic director Mariano Barrero, has created a proposal that combines great classics with new and interesting avant-garde additions.

Where

: Plaza Pablo Ruiz Picasso, 1. Tel. 910 882 201.

GISELLE

This place on Paseo de la Castellana

combines dinner and dancing using the aesthetics of the 90s

.

Their strong point, in addition to good music, is their Signature Cocktails section, "original house creations that add a special touch to the experience, and that differ from the classics," they describe.

In addition, each day of the week they have a different style of music, starting on Wednesdays with the Latin rhythms session, followed by Thursdays with the special session Dejavú 54 directed by Julio Torres, who wants to

remember the wonderful years of the legendary Studio 54 in New York

, to unleash current music during the weekends.

Where

: Paseo de Recoletos, 16. Tel. 621 14 62 74.

VISO 94

It has just opened its doors with a fusion of international flavors, signature cocktails and entertainment.

In addition to its Latin-influenced cuisine, its

cocktail menu prepared by Yanelys Blanco

stands out based on interesting signature cocktails such as the Tradition By Viso, Viso VV or Viso Pasión.

The day continues with DJ sessions, "among which is Yas Cepeda, as well as different themed

dinner shows

for each night, from Mexican, Aramemco (fusion of Arabic and flamenco), Cuban or Gatsby, designed exclusively by the artistic director "Mey Green."

In short, nights for all tastes.

Where

: Paseo de la Castellana, 94. Tel. 695 19 22 28.

CANITO HOUSE

First of all, it is a small and charming bar on the corner with a few tables, a project by Hussi Istambuli, where you can taste delicious tapas of patatas bravas or Hawaii Bombay prawns.

So far everything is normal but, around the corner, a new world begins with the entrance to a

very clandestine establishment

that can only be accessed with a password that changes every day and where the night seems to have no end.

Where

: Recoletos, 11. https://www.casacanito.com

Lovo Bar

Inspired by the dancer Josephine Baker and the crazy and clandestine bars of the 1920s, this place conquers the Barrio de Las Letras every night with a cocktail bar that shines with its own light among red and blue velvets, enjoyable music and Josephine Baker herself, who appears body and soul in the premises.

A space that has two well differentiated areas;

on the upper floor, La Caza, with a large bar and comfortable sofas, and on the ground floor, La Cueva, with space for dancing.

The recently released creation of Frank Lola and Felipe Esparza, the master mixologists in charge of the drinks, has a menu inspired by the taxonomy of the wolf, because every beast has its sensitive side.

Where

: Echegaray, 20;

Tel. 910 41 62 98

365 Street

The

speakeasy

hidden in the back room of a 19th century botillery has been transformed into a living reflection of Colombia, a microcosm that encapsulates the essence of the country in an eccentric atmosphere full of iconic elements, such as the coffee region, the Amazon jungle and women. palenqueras with their colorful dresses.

Cocktails and glasses designed by José Piñero also pay homage to Colombian culture, as does La Perseverancia, a market square offering authentic flavors such as arepas and pandebono.

Where

: Echegaray, 18