1. Platea Madrid
This is one of the places I found that really made me happy. An old abandoned theatre restored to its former glory and turned into a swanky bar/restaurant with live music acts and a distinctly classy atmosphere. Accessed from the street via an entrance at the back of a fruit and vegetable shop it's sufficiently secret too...
Another English girl I met on the plane back to Madrid invited me for a drink and this was the place she picked. Making our way past the immaculately presented fruit and veg I was amazed to see the ceiling rise and the floor drop away to encompass an entire theatre! The building covers several floors and many different food stalls and restaurant booths. The tinto de verano I ordered at the bar came in a goldfish bowl sized glass and was accompanied by a free jazz concert on the stage above us. Steeped in old-school glamour, this is definitely a place not to be missed; perfect for when the parents visit or to take a boyfriend or girlfriend out for drinks/dinner.
Platea Madrid, Calle Goya, 5-7 (+34915770025)
2. Capas Seseña
No self respecting musketeer/highwayman/toreador/witch/nobleman/outlaw is complete without a cape and for me this has to be perhaps the most romantic item of clothing ever invented. Founded in 1901, Capas Seseña is the only shop in the world that only sells capes and only capes made on the premises at that.
From old-fashioned black wool capes lined with silk to the more modern cropped and colourful numbers on the catwalks today this shop has it all. Unless you've got a spare £300 or more burning a hole in your pocket you're unlikely to be able to afford one of these beauties but we can all press our noses against the glass and daydream...
Capas Seseña, Calle de la Cruz 23 (0034 91 531 6840) www.sesena.com
3. El Jardín Secreto
This place isn't exactly secret or hidden, I found it in my lonely planet guidebook, but it's certainly eccentric. One of the most popular bars in Madrid for a drink with friends or a date-night, the interior of this place is truly unique.
Glowing teapots and rainbow hot air balloons hang from the ceiling with tables made out of clocks and chairs made from huge sea turtle shells. An immense giraffe towers over everything in the corner while swathes of exotic flowers and colourful fabrics are draped around the windows. The menu is also pretty unique with fruity, fizzy drinks rubbing shoulders with teas and coffees, gorgeous puddings and a range of tasty main courses. Once you step inside you'll feel like you've fallen down a rabbit hole into a kind of dream land - the perfect place to excape from it all!
El Jardín Secreto, Calle Conde Duque 2, (
There are plenty of other magical places in Madrid that bring out the romantic in all of us. If you know of any please comment below - I'd love to hear about them!
* The photo of Platea Madrid was taken from guiadelocio.com
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