FLAMENCO Madrid
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Top Attractions in Spain
We can’t say that there is one definitive flamenco show in Madrid that is the best since there are so many really good ones. Each venue offers a completely different experience.
Some have better lighting and sound than others. Some have a larger stage that can accommodate more dancers or let them move around much more freely. Some offer drinks and meals during the show while others do not as to avoid any unnecessary distraction.
Ultimately, deciding which venue to choose comes down to the experience that you think will fit best for you. The other big factor of course is the price of the ticket.
Which flamenco show is the best? To help you answer that question we have hand-selected the top 5 tablaos (stages/venues) and detailed the advantages and disadvantages of each venue. Continue reading to find out!
There is a reason Torres Bermejas is one of Madrid’s most popular venues for flamenco. They put on an amazing show and have fantastic food. If you want to experience authentic Spanish cuisine with a high quality flamenco show, then this is the place you should book.
You can book your ticket with a preset menu or order a la carte with an entrance ticket. Tickets start at 25€, making it one of the best values of any flamenco show in Madrid.
We really like the setting for the Torres Bermejas show. The decor is charming with moorish design that has been inspired by the Alhambra in Granada. The room is also very well arranged so that a great view is pretty much guaranteed.
The artist lineup usually includes 1 singer,1 guitarist, 2 female dancers and 1 male dancer but they do change weekly.
The only downside we can think of is the possibility of distractions with the movement of waiters and people eating and drinking during the show.
The Teatro Flamenco Madrid is another one of our favorite shows in the city. The theater is spacious, but not too big – you will still feel like you are right up in the action. The front half of the room has small tables for 2-4 people and the back half of the room is made up of 3 rows of auditorium style seating. Every seat in the house has great views to the performance.
The Teatro Flamenco has an above average production quality with some of the best sound equipment and lighting that we have seen at a flamenco show. The performance consisted of 1 guitarist, 2 male singers, and 3 dancers (2 female and 1 male). We found the music to be really top notch with the singers and the guitarist really harmonizing well together.
The showstopper was without a doubt the female dancer that donned the stage in a bata de cola (long-tailed gown). This spectacular dress takes considerable effort to dance with and is absolutely mesmerizing as the dancer whips it around the stage.
The Teatro Flamenco Madrid is not a venue that offers dinner. They do have a ham & cheese plate as well as a bar. You can enjoy these before and during the show, but once the show starts, the bar closes down. The theater recommends to arrive 30 minutes early so you can get settled in and relax with a drink before the shows starts.
Overall, for the quality of the show and the price of 35€ for the ticket, you can’t go wrong.
Teatro Tablao Flamenco Torero is all about flamenco in its purest form. The Essential Flamenco show takes place in an old brick basement with an arched ceiling that produces amazing acoustics. Because of this setting, there is no need for any amplification and instead you only hear and feel each instrument directly.
It is quite an experience to feel the vibrations from the tapping of the stage and the extra realism that comes from being so up close and personal. The basement setting harkens back to the foundations of flamenco when it was first performed in small intimate settings in the famous caves of Sacromonte in Granada.
Where to stay? Find out with our curated list of The Best Hotels in Madrid.
We found this show to be very unique because there is much more focus on the musicians when compared to other venues. This is probably due to the rather small stage and the fact that it is pretty obvious that they want to showcase the full musical spectrum of flamenco with a room that really allows the audience to enjoy the sound.
Besides having dancers and a guitarist, the show also featured a violinist and percussionist on the cajon (a wooden box popularized in the 70’s by the legendary Paco de Lucía).
The artistic direction for the Essential Flamenco show is designed by the famous Juan el Mistela, who also dances in some of the shows. Prices range from 35€ - 50€ and include a complimentary drink at the bar on arrival.
However, there is no food or drink service during the performance because this establishment does not want any distractions - just a pure experience between the audience and the performers.
Tablao Las Carboneras really knows how to put on a good show. The performers which included a guitarist, 2 singers (1 male, 1 female), and 3 dancers (2 female, 1 male) wowed the crowd with one of the most intense shows we have seen in Madrid.
Tickets go for 39€ and include a drink and tapa. The venue isn’t too large and most of the seats have great views. However, because of the room’s layout, a few of the seats were less than optimal. While the front rows consist of normal tables and chairs, the back rows are made up of bar tables and stools without backs.
We also found the acoustics and lighting in the room to be of lesser quality than in other tablaos. But to be fair, this was less noticeable once the show really kicked into gear. The performers really shined and judging by the crowd’s reaction, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience – ourselves included.
Corral de la Morería is one of the most prominent flamenco tablaos in Madrid and has a history that goes back more than half a century. Throughout the years, it has been visited by a long list of famous people including Hollywood actors and politicians.
With that being said, it is also one of the most expensive shows in the city. The question is, is it worth it or is it any better than other tablaos? Is it all hype or does it actually deliver?
The answer depends on who you ask and your luck. There is no doubt that the performers are world class and put on a fantastic show. However, if you are unlucky, you might get seated in the back or behind one of the many huge wooden columns. And if that happens, it doesn’t really matter how great the show is if you can’t see well.
If you choose to have dinner during the show, you may be in for a special treat. The restaurant boasts a Michelin star which is quite extraordinary and not what one would expect from a dinner theater. But there are many reviews that complain about the same thing – food being undercooked or cold.
Ticket prices for the show are 49.95€ with a drink included which, for a tablao with such a long history and prestige, is quite reasonable. And for 103.85€ you can get a full three-course Michelin star meal plus the show. That price is very hard to argue with.
Tablao Las Tablas is among the most highly regarded flamenco stages in Madrid. It features an intimate setting with a modern flare, designed for the comfort of both the audience and the artists.
The 60 minute performance, as with most other flamenco shows in Madrid, is divided into sections that feature solo dances, couples dances, singing and guitar, and solo guitar. The artists stand out for their great artistic qualities and passionate performance.
The lighting, acoustics and staging are also excellent, taking advantage of modern technology while maintaining the spontaneity and freshness so characteristic of flamenco.
Tickets at Tablao Las Tablas start at 32 € (one drink included). It is also possible to book a ticket with dinner for 66€.
Open since 2015, Café Ziryab is a laid back flamenco stage that offers quality flamenco shows in a charming setting. It is a bit different from other flamenco tablaos in Madrid, less touristy and more down to earth.
The artist lineup usually includes two dancers, one singer and one guitarist. All of them are mesmerizing both individually and as a group. You can clearly see how much passion they put into performing.
Café Ziryab offers an 80 minute flamenco show from Thursday to Sunday. Tickets cost 27€ (one drink included), which means that it’s among the cheapest flamenco shows in Madrid.
This venue also features a lovely outdoor terrace, perfect for a drink before or after the show.
Madrid’s Centro Cultural Flamenco opened its doors in 2019. It’s located in the trendy Chueca neighborhood, which actually has a long flamenco tradition.
It features an intimate setting that hosts up to 54 people. Its goal is for the attendees to experience flamenco in its purest form, without distractions. For that purpose, neither microphones or sound amplification are used, nor drinks or meals are served.
The show at Centro Cultural Flamenco de Madrid also stands out for the variety of characteristic accessories used during the show: castanets, tambourines, shawls, tail gowns, etc.
Shows take place from Wednesday to Sunday and tickets cost 25€, making Centro Cultural one of the most affordable flamenco spectacles in Madrid.
Before or after the show, you also have the opportunity to tour the cultural center dedicated to flamenco, its art gallery and shop.
If you are really interested in flamenco and want more than just attending a show, then Taberna Flamenca el Cortijo has you covered.
The 2.5h long flamenco experience starts with an introduction into this iconic and passionate art form. You will learn about its history and, if you are up for the challenge, even try out a few dance steps.
After this fun flamenco workshop, you will have the opportunity to delight your taste buds with a tasty traditional Spanish dinner.
Finally, you will sit back and enjoy an authentic flamenco show.
This 2.5h flamenco experience is available on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The price is 45€.
Almost all flamenco performances last 1 hour. However, it is best to arrive a little earlier. Many venues actually recommend to arrive 30 minutes before the show. That way you can get your drinks or even begin with your meal.
Arriving early can also help you to get a better seat. Although not all venues operate like this, many of them will give better seats based on a first come, first serve basis.
Most tablaos in Madrid will allow for photos or short videos during the show. However, please remember not to use flash at any time because it is a huge distraction to the performers and the audience.
If we had to choose, we would much prefer to see a flamenco show in either Madrid or Seville – skip Barcelona.
Flamenco originates from Andalusia in the south of Spain and so naturally, Seville is a hotspot for talent. But Madrid has its own flamenco scene that is very active and also highly recommended.
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