Different bar types require different licences in Madrid. So "Musical Bars", as they are so often called, are really bars that play music and have a dancefloor, but normally don't have a cover charge.

Truck Disco/Pub (Libertad 28) is a small basement pub and dance bar in the Chueca Zone, with shows until dawn, and estupendos sandwiches to keep you going through the night.

Delirio Dance Club (Libertad 28) is an upscale disco with three bars and lots of clean white space

Liquid (Barquillo 8) is a chic music video bar with a handsome crowd of mostly men that's busy on weekends.

LL Bar (Pelaya 11), open everyday from 5 p.m., hosts drag shows which include sing-a-longs; later in the evening they have strippers on stage. Downstairs is a small bar area. There is a cruising area which sits beside the toilet.

Boite (Tetuan 27) is the new place in town and is proving popular. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays are full and are hosted by club promoters Victor Pallas and Jose Lupe. This duo also host the popular Prive (21 Calle Aduana; Myspace.privemadrid.com).

Rimmel (Luis de Gongora 2) is a local bar where owner Pedro still holds court and has stories to tell of the past and current news of Madrid.