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From Tapas we compile the best plans with which to enjoy the weekend in Madrid, and relegate ourselves to hedonism between cultural and gastronomic experiences, parties, events and museums. Take the agenda and take note of our weekly proposal.
FRIDAY 30
This week Madrid is more proud than ever and you can feel it in the atmosphere. The LGTBIQ+ Pride festivities are taking over many of the plans for this weekend. For Friday night, highlights the classic Gala Mr. Gay Spain (this year is the 16th edition) that will take place on the stage of Plaza España from 10 pm. It will be hosted by Luján Argüelles and Omar Suárez. And one of the highlights will be the special performance of Paulina Rubio, who will receive the special Mr. Gay Spain 2023 Award.
To whet your appetite for the weekend and the pre-holiday period, we suggest a trip around Spain through the cocktails of Harrison 1933 and its new menu “Un país para bebérselo” (A country to drink it in). This cocktail bar located at Calle de Recoletos, 16 and whose proposal is in charge of Carlos Moreno, bar and cocktail director of Grupo Larrumba, offers a menu full of cocktails that pay tribute to the different landscapes, flavors and folklore of each autonomous community.
Through the experiences of Carlos and his team, you can taste 18 very special and representative recipes, such as a reinvention of the Bloody Mary with references to pantumaca and escalibada sauce in the cocktail of Catalonia; or the elaboration of Castilla y León that includes ingredients such as cecina, almonds, verdejo cordial and pears from Bierzo; or that of the Valencian Community with its unmistakable horchata, fartons and a touch of mistela. A ‘Marca España’ menu to review the entire Spanish geography. You will want to finish the night on the first floor, where there is a more rogue atmosphere with DJ sessions and live performances.
And for festival-goers, this weekend there are musical events for all tastes. From June 30 to July 2 at the Caja Mágica the Festival Río Babel will be held, with artists such as Juan Luís Guerra, Morat, Jamiroquai, Guitarricadelafuente, Bomba Estéreo, Sen Senra or Alizzz. Get tickets here. If you prefer a more reggaeton atmosphere, we have for you the Puro Latino Festival, at the Ciudad del Rock in Arganda del Rey, on June 30 and July 1, with Nicky Jam, Mike Towers or J Balvin, among others.
And if you are more into electronic and techno music, don’t worry because the Maudes Festival will be held at the Ifema Fairgrounds on June 30 and July 1. You will live the greatest outdoor thematic experience that combines art, commitment, culture and techno electronic music.
SATURDAY 1
This weekend Chueca is the epicenter of Madrid. If you go into this neighborhood, you will discover great gastronomic proposals such as those of the restaurant Chispa Bistró, by chefs Gabriel Sodré and Juan D’Onofrio, located on Barquillo street, in front of Plaza del Rey. About to celebrate its first year, the menu perfectly captures the flavors that both the Brazilian and Argentinean chefs have known through their travels and experiences, especially in the Mediterranean and Asia. You can taste delicacies such as baby squid capelletti, ikura, mushroom and tomato dashi, pigeon, leek and pear cannelloni or the original and exquisite dessert of asparagus, egg yolk and oatmeal.
Where? At Calle Barquillo 8, 28004 (Madrid)
And for those looking for a good evening, we have a great plan in Margarita, the ‘dinner and dance’ that has become fashionable in the capital. Located in María de Molina, 50, it is a space with a very enjoyable spirit, open from Thursday to Saturday from 19:00, but on Saturdays they have late afternoon from 13:30 so you can extend the after-dinner conversation. The culinary proposal is in the hands of Manuel Aragón Gordon. So if you start at lunchtime trying his spectacular ravioli bomba a la carbonara or the beef burger with homemade fries, you should know that you will want to stay all afternoon thanks to the live music, drinks and fun.
For those who prefer a different Saturday night plan, the first Saturday of each month is El Prado by night, with the free night opening of the Prado Museum (from 20:30 to 23:30 h). You can enjoy different exhibition spaces in a program that aims to extend the knowledge of the institution in a sequential manner, also interact with the applications that Samsung has created for the Museum and witness musical initiatives.
SUNDAY 2
To end the weekend in style, we suggest a very summery meal at Don Dimas restaurant (closed on Sunday evenings). Chefs José Carlos Fuentes and Álvaro Garcés are in charge of fresh and light dishes, with their characteristic fusion of national cuisine -especially Andalusian- with international touches. You can’t miss the spectacular ajoblanco acevichado of sea bass and cockles with lime granita or the marinated salmon tartar, avocado and tomato and strawberry salmorejo, which never fails. Not forgetting a classic of the house like the truffled cannelloni of wild pheasant and lamb with Payoyo cheese ‘gratino’.
Here you have everything you need to spend a Sunday morning as you deserve, either inside or on the terrace, very close to the Retiro. And, as we know you will want to come back, we have good news. This summer Don Dimas will be open for dinner service from July 25 to August 19. There will be no better plan for summer nights!
Where? At calle de Castelló, 1, 28001 Madrid
And we finish the weekend going to the Matadero’s warehouses to enjoy Matías Umpierrez’s project called Eclipse. This striking show by the multidisciplinary artist is an incomplete catalog on anonymity, a conference, a performance and a concert of fictions, as explained on the website. A stroboscopic light show with masks and real and virtual elements that you can’t miss. Sunday July 2 is its last performance at 8 pm. It costs 10 € and lasts 90 minutes.
Where? At Sala Fernando Arrabal (Nave 11) at Naves del Español, Paseo de la Chopera 14, 28045 (Madrid).
