La Venencia
Bar · Cortes
Calle de Echegaray, 7, Centro, Centro, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Highlights
Sherry bar with rustic tapas & vintage bottles. No photos.
Sherry bar with rustic tapas & vintage bottles. No photos.
"Sherry is the pride of Spain, and this historic gem of a bar is where it should be enjoyed. One of Hemingway’s favorite haunts, it allows neither photos nor tips. (Urban legend has it that the photo ban was put into place during the Franco era because spies captured their enemies on film here, and the tipping ban honors the bar’s Republican views.) Bartenders only serve sherry — don’t bother asking for soda, water, beer, or wine, because they don’t have any — accompanied by tapas such as salted tuna, Campo Real olives, cheese, and anchovies. Fino, manzanilla, palo cortado, amontillado, and oloroso all pair perfectly with the retro decor, the black cat wandering around the tables, and the servers, who keep track of what you drink by jotting it down with chalk on the bar counter. Must-try dish: Without a doubt, go for the manzanilla." - Paula Móvil
"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, and 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 after perusing the menu—there are no menus, just a small sign with the sherry and snack options like chorizo or cheese." - lori zaino
"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
"Sherry is the pride of Spain, and this historic gem of a bar is where it should be enjoyed. One of Hemingway’s favorite haunts, it allows neither photos nor tips. (Urban legend has it that the photo ban was put into place during the Franco era because spies captured their enemies on film here, and the tipping ban honors the bar’s Republican views.) Bartenders only serve sherry — don’t bother asking for soda, water, beer, or wine, because they don’t have any — accompanied by tapas such as salted tuna, Campo Real olives, cheese, and anchovies. Fino, manzanilla, palo cortado, amontillado, and oloroso all pair perfectly with the retro decor, the black cat wandering around the tables, and the servers, who keep track of what you drink by jotting it down with chalk on the bar counter." - Paula Móvil
"If sipping sherry and popping olives where Ernest Hemingway once found inspiration sounds like something you want to do, head straight to La Venencia. The busy bar has vintage sherry bottles sitting under layers of dust, and the place is always crowded with locals and tourists laughing and drinking around dark wooden tables. Don’t expect to find soda or beer on this menu: this bar only offers sherry by the glass, half-bottle, or bottle, with varieties like Manzanilla, Fino, Palo Cortado, Oloroso, and Amontillado, as well as a few tapas like chorizo or cheese. Just know that photos aren’t allowed, so put down your phone, appreciate some sherry, and enjoy the unique experience at this historic bar." - Lori Zaino
