Flamenco in Madrid: Flamenco Shows and Flamenco Tablaos in Madrid

There's almost nothing more "Spanish" than watching Flamenco in Madrid. Flamenco is a MUST-DO when visiting the capital. Why? And HOW does one choose one Flamenco Tablao over another? How much does a Madrid flamenco show cost? What's included in the price of a Flamenco show? How do you know you'lll be getting a high-quality performance? Do you need to make a reservation? How can one find NON-touristic, "authentic flamenco" in Madrid"? These are all very good questions. We'll answer these questions below.

WHY should you see a flamenco show in Madrid?
First, because it's so darn entertaining!!! Can you even see anything more Spanish than a flamenco show? Flamenco is generally associated with the southern region of Andalucia - most typically with Seville or Granada. But in recent years Madrid has been promoting itself as not only Spain's Capital but also as Spain's FLAMENCO capital. Why? The answer is simple, really. Madrid has more funds to promote flamenco, hoping to keep would-be flamenco seekers to stay in Madrid. It also has the connections to lure the best flamenco dancers to its Madrid tablaos.

HOW does one choose one Flamenco Tablao over another?
It's a challenge. There are nearly 10 flamenco tablaos in Madrid with websites and probably triple that number which do not have a website. Below, we'll details only those tablaos in Madrid which have a website simple because most travelers prefer to SEE something of what they're getting before paying. One criteria for choosing a flamenco show could be the price (see next discussion item). But money should not be the ONLY criteria. Other criteria could be the location of the flamenco tablao. Some are in the old downtown and some further out, requiring public transportation. And finally, the most important criteria, the quality of the flamenco musicians and flamenco dancers. It's likely that a visit to Spain could the ONLY opportunity in some travelers' lives to see LIVE flamenco and so they are seeking the best flamenco show in Madrid possible. Who can blame them?

HOW MUCH does a Madrid flamenco show cost? And WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Flamenco shows in Madrid can be expensive. While accepting that expensive is a relative term, we'll assign some guidelines. Generally speaking, the typical price for a flamenco show is about 30 Euros per person. I've seen flamenco shows for as little as 20 Euros but also for as much as 40 Euros. This cost is ONLY the admission price. Most flamenco tablaos in Madrid have kitchen or dinner services available but ordering a MEAL PLUS SHOW can raise the total flamenco experience price to 70 Euros - per person - and flamenco tablaos are not known for their high quality food. That's not to say the food is bad, no, but the "flamenco food" served is usually just of average quality and prices tend to be inflated. I generally recommend that people have their dinner before or after the flamenco shows to save some money and to vary their evening experience. Most Madrid Tablaos will offer a free first drink with your entry and it often accompanies a free tapa like a plate of olives, crackers, or even potato chips. (and odd tapa for a flamenco tablao but common). Subsequent drinks ordered can be expensive.

Do you need to make a RESERVATION FOR FLAMENCO in Madrid
ABSOLUTELY! Be sure to make a reservation 1 day in advance if possible, calling after 8pm. You won't be able to make a reservation by casually encountering a tablao on the street - because they won't be open until 8pm at the earliest - but you will be able to write down their phone number to call later. It's best to find a flamenco tablao in the general area of your hotel or at least within a short distance using public transportation. Be forewarned that it's not likely that the person answering the phone will speak English when making your reservation so, if at all possible, make your reservation via email - if they have it - or make the reservation through a tour company.

HOW do you know you'll be getting a HIGH-QUALITY PERFORMANCE?
The short answer is, you won't know. Most people in the world don't know anything about flamenco dancing or flamenco music so the client is generally happy with whatever they're "served" as a performance. The better known flamenco tablaos in Madrid usually have very good performers, either luring profesionals out of Andalusian tablaos to come to Madrid or hiring up-and-coming talent from accredited acadamies here in Madrid or from other parts of Spain. The larger, more popular tablaos tend to be more expensive so they can hire more talented flamenco dancers - paying them more.

How can one find NON-touristic, "AUTHENTIC FLAMENCO" in Madrid"?
All the flamenco you'll find in Madrid is "Authentic Flamenco". The dancers have studied for years. But finding flamenco tablaos without tourists is a bit of an impossibility. People often write me asking where they can see REAL FLAMENCO without the tourists. The answer is simple. In the houses of Madrid gypsies! But no non-gypsy would ever be allowed to enter that society. The gypsy society is a CLOSED society so Gypsy Family Flamenco is only for gypsies and NOT for outsiders. On rare occasions in some bars you'll find "spontaneous flamenco" performed but this only happens when A) flamenco-trained persons are in the bar and B) when the mood strikes these people. So in short, it's truly a hit-or-miss situation where it's more likely you will not see spontaneous flamenco being danced than otherwise. I've only heard stories from 2 people when they saw flamenco being danced at a bar they were visiting one night but the next night they went and there was nothing. Plus, bars in Madrid are very small and usually full of people so DANCING of any kind, particularly the swirling FLAMENCO style of dancing, is nearly an impossibility. Finally, only a tiny percentage of non-gypsy women study flamenco anymore (it used to be much more common) and authentic gipsy women generally DO NOT frequent bars.

» Various Important Notes:
» flamenco shows typically start at 10pm and midnight
» many have shows every night of the week
» tips are not necessary but some coins could be left for good service
» waiters may or may not speak English
» some tablaos have smoking or non-smoking sections
» the SMOKING SECTIONS are often the better located sections
» some flamenco tablaos do not allow flash photos taken
» prices are not generally listed on flamenco websites

The below Madrid Flamenco Tablaos are those which have websites. MadridMan has visited a number of them - but not all of them - so many descriptions are taken from their websites. One can read travelers' reviews of flamenco tablaos in the "Food, Drink & Entertainment" forum category of our ALL SPAIN Message Board. And feel free to post your Flamenco Reviews there too. In MadridMan's Madrid Blog you'll find the entries "Flamenco in Madrid" and "More Madrid Flamenco" timely and more descriptive.

name: 2009 SUMA FLAMENCA
Festival Flamenco de la Comunidad de Madrid
website: www.madrid.org/sumaflamenca
location: throughout the Community and City of Madrid
prices: varied
Website in: English, Spanish, French
MadridMan Number of Visits: 3

COMMENTS: From mid-May to mid-June 2009 the 4th Annual Suma Flemanca Festival takes place. Dozens of flamenco dancers and flamenco singers perform in Madrid City and throughout La Comunidad de Madrid. Most flamenco performances take place in different Madrid theaters but others take place in the different Madrid tablaos. MadridMan attended roughly 9 flamenco events in May 2007, 13 more in 2008, and currently working through 12 for the 2009 Suma Flamenco Festival.

name: CORRAL DE LA MORERIA
website: www.corraldelamoreria.com
address: Calle Moreria, 17 CLICK for map
metro: LA LATINA
prices: about 32 Euros minimum
meals: Yes
Website in: Spanish
MadridMan Number of Visits: 3

COMMENTS: Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Corral de la Morería is probably one of the nicest flamenco tablaos in Madrid - very rustic, big stage, and a good size dining space. Full accompaniment and several flamenco dancers can - and do - dance at the same time. Watch your head passing through the door to the street on your way out. It's a LOW BRIDGE! The location is a little outside of the Old City center but it's a short walk over the Segovia Bridge from the Royal Palace. Bilingual website.

name: CORRAL DE LA PACHECA
website: www.corraldelapacheca.com
address: Calle Juan Ramon Jimenez, 26 CLICK for map
metro: CUZCO & PLAZA CASTILLA
prices: about 32 Euros minimum
meals: Yes
Website in: Spanish
MadridMan Number of Visits: 1

COMMENTS: The Corral de la Pacheca is well-known in Madrid. It was here which hosted a black-and-white weekly television program where established and up-and-coming flamenco artists were interviewed and also performed. The venue is HUGE - but very nice and rustic. They have general seating with large tables around the large stage but also an upper level with small tables for those just having drinks. In my opinion, the view from up top is better. LOTS of tour groups are taken here and sit down below. The dancing is entertaining and can have 6 flamenco dancers dancing at the same time. The music is professional too. The location is rather out-of-the-way but reachable by metro and taxi.

name: LAS TABLAS
website: www.lastablasmadrid.com
address: Plaza de España, 9 CLICK for map
metro: PLAZA DE ESPAÑA
prices: 22 Euros
meals: No
Website in: Spanish
MadridMan Number of Visits: 1

COMMENTS: Las Tablas is a breed apart from the other flamenco shows. The inside is different too. The smaller, modern space is used for not only flamenco shows but also for art exhibits, blues and jazz concerts, and theater. One drink is included in your entry but since there's no kitchen there is no food available. All seats are close to the stage but no flash can be used when taking photos. The two female owners not only assist as wait-staff but are also the flamenco dancers. Las Tablas Madrid is a cheap flamenco show in Madrid - probably the cheapest - but finding their entrance is a bit challenging. One must go around the side from the street and up a flight of stairs, the door faces the Plaza de España.

name: CAFE DE CHINITAS
website: www.chinitas.com
address: Calle Torija, 7 CLICK for map
metro: SANTO DOMINGO
prices: about 32 Euros minimum
meals: Yes
Website in: Spanish
MadridMan Number of Visits: 4

COMMENTS: Café de Chinitas is one of the best known flamenco tablaos in Madrid - and definitely one of the prettiests as well. The large interior is rustic, classic flamenco with a touch of bullfighting motif. The stage is large, the musicians are always professional, and the dancers always technically correct. The smaller, SMOKING-ALLOWED section is much closer to the stage than the deeper no smoking section.

name: CASA PATAS
website: www.casapatas.com
address: Calle Cañizares, 10 CLICK for map
metro: TIRSO DE MOLINA & ANTON MARTIN
prices: unkown
meals: Yes
Website in: Spanish
MadridMan Number of Visits: 0

COMMENTS: Quite probably, Casa Patas is the best known flamenco tablao in all of Madrid. The tablao itself is a long, narrow space with a less formal atmosphere. There's generally only one dancer at a time. The restaurant is also open for lunch and offers a "Menú del Día".

name: TABLAO LAS CARBONERAS
website: www.tablaolascarboneras.com
address: Plaza Conde de Miranda, 1 CLICK for map
metro: SOL & OPERA
prices: unknown
meals: Yes
Website in: Spanish
MadridMan Number of Visits: 0

COMMENTS: Nicely located in El Madrid de los Austrias in the downstairs of the Conde de Miranda Palace.

name: TORRES BERMEJAS
website: www.torresbermejas.com
address: Plaza del Conde de Miranda, 1 CLICK for map
metro: CALLAO & GRAN VIA
prices: 35 Euros entry with 1 drink
meals: Yes
Website in: English & Spanish
MadridMan Number of Visits: 2

COMMENTS: One of Madrid's most historic Flamenco Tablaos and responsible for the launch of many careers in the flamenco profession.

name: CARDAMOMO BAR FLAMENCO
website: www.cardamomo.es
address: Calle de Echegaray, 15 CLICK for map
metro: ANTON MARTIN, SOL, SEVILLA
when: Mondays, Tuesday, Wednesdays
prices: free on Tuesdays
meals: doubtful
Website in: Spanish
MadridMan Number of Visits: 1

COMMENTS: Very little information on their website but it seems that flamenco performances take place only on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesday at 10:30pm, 11:30pm, and 12:30am. Free entry on Tuesdays.

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