La Venencia - Review - Centro - Madrid - The Infatuation

"If sipping sherry and popping olives where Ernest Hemingway once found inspiration sounds fun, head to La Venencia. Don’t expect to find soda or beer on the menu at this lively bar: it only offers sherry-by-the-glass, half-bottle, or bottle (varieties like Manzanilla, Fino, Palo Cortado, Oloroso, and Amontillado). This place is old-school—and actually old, nearly 100 years or so—meaning you’ll see vintage sherry bottles sitting under layers of dust and peeling paint on the walls. It adds to the charm, which is why it’s always crowded with locals and tourists drinking around dark wooden tables. Be prepared to shout to get the bartender's attention—don't bother with drawn-out, over-polite, or complicated orders (“Please, may I have x with x on the side”) after perusing the menu—there are no menus, just a small sign with the sherry and snack options like chorizo or cheese. Photos aren’t allowed here, so tuck your phone away and live your best sherry life, a.k.a try all the varieties and nurse tomorrow’s hangover with churros at Valor." - Lori Zaino