Lately, I'd say it's more likely been in the mid-to-upper 90s for highs. Personally, "I hate heat" but since it is "a dry heat" it's a bit more bearable.
I wear shorts during the day almost without exception - even to our restaurant, lunchtime outing today.
But if my plan was to ONLY go to some terraza at night during one of these hot nights you can be sure that I would not hesitate to wear shorts.
However, if I was going to a restaurant or indoor tapas bar I would wear my new and wonderfully light LINEN pants. Man, I never owned a pair before coming to Madrid and they're almost as comfortable as shorts, so thin and light. Nearly better than shorts themselves.
If you can find linen pants those are the way to go for nighttime, summer clothing. Madrid is well accustomed to tourists so you'll just be one of a near majority if you choose to wear shorts. And unless your Spanish is flawless you'll likely be "marked" as a tourist anyway.
It is rare to see Spaniards wearing shorts at night, however. Sometimes when I wear shorts in the day my Spanish friends tease me that I'm in "Plan Tourist". I laugh with them because I'd rather be comfortable than miserable and drowning in my own sweat while wearing regular long pants or jeans.
Saludos, MadridMan
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