El Apolo has a personal, intimate atmosphere, which helps make it a much-loved local venue in the heart of the new, up-and coming, trendy area of Madrid.
The Venue
El Apolo is a charming bar, with a chic sophisticated vibe. The decor is mod inspired with classic furniture. The bar has plenty of personality scattered around. Among the typical mix-and-match of classic furniture and antique marble tables, you will also find numerous little details. Welcoming and warm, the added bonus of “El Apolo” is that it’s located in the heart of the new in-place in Madrid, with many other bars, restaurants and music venues on hand and two minutes away from other centres of Madrid night life, such as Chueca and Malasaña. This bar is often pleasantly relaxed, allowing groups to chat and friends to gather.
The Atmosphere
The music is a mix of contemporary, cool and chill-out, adding to the image of an ideal bar to get to know locals and visitors alike. The crowd is indeed a perfect mix: the core clients are cool, but not trying too hard to look cool, Madrileños and visiting tourist looking to sample the trendier side of Madrid nightlife. However, older working class customers also drink here, a mix of gays and straights that provides plenty of colour and atmosphere.
The Food
The bar opens at 8 am and serves delicious newly baked croissant with a renowned, pure coffee as well as home baked “bizcocho” (a delightful local Spanish specialty), “churros” and “porras” and offers several continental breakfasts to suit every pocket. In the afternoon and evening,”tostas” with such delicious toppings as goats cheese and caramelised onion and Iberian ham and tomato are offered, and of course with your drinks the bar provides a range of “tapas” from the typical locally produced olives to mini-croissants with ham and cheese.
The Drink
The beer selection includes bottled Mahou, Coronita, Alhambra Reserva and Heineken at €3 and the draught “Alhambra”, a much appreciated local lager at €2.50.The wines are of excellent value and include an excellent Rioja and Ribera del Duera at €2.50 per very generous glass and two excellent house whites, a Rueda and a Chardonnay, which are severed equally liberally. The bar also offers a range of cocktails, such as Caipirinha, Caipiroska, San Francisco and also the bars signature drink the MOJITO, which apart form the original classical recipe comes in several “Apolo” adaptations, which have scored a great success with the locals; strawberry, melon, pineapple and coconut, to name but four. They really are a must try and are served in large cider glasses, with crushed ice and copious amounts of rum. They feature prominently in the video on the web-page and taste as delicious as they look.
Monday – Thursday. 08.00-15.00 & 18.00-02.00
Friday 08.00-16.00 & 18.00-02.30
Saturday 10.00-02.30
Sunday 17.00-02.00
The Last Word
With its comfortable surroundings and chilled vibe, “El Apolo” is likely to become your new hang out, if you really want to enjoy the Madrid experience and meet the right people or person.
