Week Eight
Is this my most eagerly anticipated blog of the year so far? I think it probably is due to the fact I was abroad in Madrid from Thursday to Sunday. Right so I will split this into three days and take you through the trip as if you were there with me (god knows you wish you were). Effectively myself and 12 other lads (13 in total) headed out to Madrid for a bit of culture and a bit of alcohol. In a stroke of good fortune (some would say because I am the Partyman) I knew a good friend of mine out there called Emma Horner who showed our group all the 'in' joints in Madrid.
Special appearances this week from the hosts: Emma Horner (Host) Rob (Horner's friend/host) Max (horner's friend/host) Hayley (Horner's friend/host) Beth (Horner's housmate)
Special appearances from the tourists: Oli Leech, Chopper, Allen, Gourlay, Crackers, Felton (Stag), Rusty, Benji, O Shea, Gabes, Josh Lee and Nick Farkas (Doctor and organiser of this trip).
THURSDAY
Summary of La Cocina de San Anton
Name: Ls Cocina de San Anton
Type: Restaurant/Bar
Location: Calle Augusto Figueroa, 24, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Website: http://www.lacocinadesananton.com
Website: http://www.lacocinadesananton.com
Date Visited: 27/2/14
Price: Decent
Rating: 2.5/5
Review
I arrived in Madrid and went to Emma's apartment where I dumped my stuff and declared my desperate need for some food as the Greggs Tuna Crunch baguette pre-flight had worn off. We walked around a quirky little tapas market where I had to quickly explain that, although feeling cultural, I needed a good old fashioned sit down and a burger was almost certainly the food of choice.
This restaurant was the floor above so we sat down and were joined by Madrid English residents Rob and Max. The beers were flowing (tour and all that) and we gave our orders. I went for the lamb burger of some kind so you can imagine my shock and alarm when no bun arrived. I've moaned about buns having no consistency before but no bun at all....that's madness! Not to worry: 'Excuse senor, Bun?' I asked and 'Si' was the reply. 10 minutes (could of been 2) passed and a basket of stale bed arrived. Alas, no bun for me this time.
That said the burger was exceptional and it was all very cheap, helped by Max taking advantage of his expenses through business. That said I just couldn't get over the absentee roll so I can't give it a 3.
Do come here though. Oh and one thing to note, I 'm not sure if its all of Spain or just Madrid but they absolutely love stale bread and refuse to have any dip, butter or anything. It must be dry and difficult to eat. Do not get it.
Summary of Areia
Name: Areia Colonial Chillout
Type: Bar
Location: Calle Hortaleza, 92, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Website: http://www.areiachillout.com/
Website: http://www.areiachillout.com/
Date Visited: 27/2/14
Price: Cheaper than England
Rating: 3/5
Review
After the restaurant unfortunately, due to Max and Emma having work the next day, they had to depart. I wasn't ready to sacrifice the night quite yet (11.30pm if you're asking) and luckily nor was Rob who I had met a few hours previous. First things first, we were in the rumoured gay district so to avoid unfortunate misunderstanings which two guys sharing a drink may give, we exited out of the area. Once out of the 'zone' we went to Areia.
This bar is fairly cool and does double beefeater gin better than anyone else I know. We had four gin and tonics and couple of jagers but still the girls weren't coming over to talk to us. Why?
Lovely little bar this so if you want a chilled drink in Madrid I would recommend it as it had a 'cool man' vibe. You know where I am coming from, bed in the corner sort of job.
After the restaurant unfortunately, due to Max and Emma having work the next day, they had to depart. I wasn't ready to sacrifice the night quite yet (11.30pm if you're asking) and luckily nor was Rob who I had met a few hours previous. First things first, we were in the rumoured gay district so to avoid unfortunate misunderstanings which two guys sharing a drink may give, we exited out of the area. Once out of the 'zone' we went to Areia.
This bar is fairly cool and does double beefeater gin better than anyone else I know. We had four gin and tonics and couple of jagers but still the girls weren't coming over to talk to us. Why?
Lovely little bar this so if you want a chilled drink in Madrid I would recommend it as it had a 'cool man' vibe. You know where I am coming from, bed in the corner sort of job.
Summary of Moby Dick Club
Name: Moby Dick Club
Type: Nightclub
Date Visited: 27/2/14
Price: Didn't pay...seemed cheap
Rating: 1.5/ 5
Review
When Rob told me we were going to meet his Spanish rugby team mates and that we were going to a cool place, I was slightly concerned that this quiet meal was turning into a big one. This increased when I was told the name of the club was the Moby Dick Club....I doubted it's Spanish authenticity. On arrival we were greeted by 14 Spanish rugby players, relatively boozed and had a line of Jagers and beers ready for us to drink.
I hastily, as per usual, did my shot and then took a swig of my beer with my right hand to disguise the taste. Seconds later, I felt a hand on my right shoulder with a Spanish rugby guy wagging his finger from side to side. 'Senor' he said while pointing to my right hand. He then took me to the bar, ordered another beer and pointed to my left hand. International drinking rules in play. Awesome.
The Spanish rugby team where a good bunch and spoke good English so I had a good fun and was able to understand conversation. Didn't stop me speak in broken English with a Spanish accent though. Did that all week and have done so on my return which has been quite awkward. Back to the club, unfortunately we were the only 15 people there as everyone (the girls in particular) left as we arrived. Such a catch. Rob and the Spanish rugby boys were good lads but wouldn't advise coming here unless you stumbled onto it or you are on a sports tour and want to get loose.
FRIDAY
I hastily, as per usual, did my shot and then took a swig of my beer with my right hand to disguise the taste. Seconds later, I felt a hand on my right shoulder with a Spanish rugby guy wagging his finger from side to side. 'Senor' he said while pointing to my right hand. He then took me to the bar, ordered another beer and pointed to my left hand. International drinking rules in play. Awesome.
The Spanish rugby team where a good bunch and spoke good English so I had a good fun and was able to understand conversation. Didn't stop me speak in broken English with a Spanish accent though. Did that all week and have done so on my return which has been quite awkward. Back to the club, unfortunately we were the only 15 people there as everyone (the girls in particular) left as we arrived. Such a catch. Rob and the Spanish rugby boys were good lads but wouldn't advise coming here unless you stumbled onto it or you are on a sports tour and want to get loose.
Me, Rob and the finger wagging Senor
FRIDAY
Summary of Cafee Eke
Name: Cafee Eke
Type: Cafe
Date Visited: 28/2/14
Price: Didn't have enough to comment
Rating: 1.5/5
Review
I won't lie to you, I had a rather big hangover the next day when I woke up. There was no time to dwell on this as I received a call from Oli Leech and Luke Chopper Harris....they had landed and were en route to Sol. I set off to meet them and I was informed they were at a Belgian café just off Plaza Maya. After trying 10 exits of Playa and walking around for half an hour I found them.
Didn't know what to expect from a Belgian café in the centre of Madrid to be honest. I didn't take any risks and only ordered two bottles of water. The waiter took an age to bring them over and had a bit of attitude when I reminded him of my order. That sounds like I was being a bit of an arsehole but he brought a tray out with everyone elses stuff so I was just double checking he hadn't forgotten mine. In my defence I was parched. Anywhere due to the water taking an age to arrive I can only give it 0.5. Actually it gets 1.5 because the other boys were on good form and company is key.
Don't go here.
Didn't know what to expect from a Belgian café in the centre of Madrid to be honest. I didn't take any risks and only ordered two bottles of water. The waiter took an age to bring them over and had a bit of attitude when I reminded him of my order. That sounds like I was being a bit of an arsehole but he brought a tray out with everyone elses stuff so I was just double checking he hadn't forgotten mine. In my defence I was parched. Anywhere due to the water taking an age to arrive I can only give it 0.5. Actually it gets 1.5 because the other boys were on good form and company is key.
Don't go here.
Summary of Zombie Bar
Name: Zombie Bar
Type: Bar/Restaurant
Location: Calle Pez, 7 28004 Madrid
Website: http://zombiebar.es
Website: http://zombiebar.es
Date Visited: 28/2/14
Price: Really good
Rating: 3.5/5
Review
Another authentic Spanish sounding bar. This bar was on the same road as our apartment so we dumped our bags down and headed in. The street is called Calle Pez and is basically London's equivalent to Shoreditch. This bar was hella edgey with a giant Ronald Mcdonald head on the wall, the pints served in jam jars (take note Jam Tree) and the bills inside VHS cases. This place offered free Wi Fi and the name of it was FREE GAY PORN. No joke. Scene.
We visited this place a lot over the week and was adopted as our local. Try the Homer burger. However, the waiters weren't particularly friendly at times and had little patience. Luke's stray elbow knocking over the Waitress and smashing the tower of plates didn't help.
They also moved us from table to table regularly to accomodate other customers and told us one evening that we had to be out by 9pm as 10 lads were not welcome. Charming
That's cost you 4/5 but this is somewhere I strongly recommend especially for you East London folk out there. Decent establishment.
Another authentic Spanish sounding bar. This bar was on the same road as our apartment so we dumped our bags down and headed in. The street is called Calle Pez and is basically London's equivalent to Shoreditch. This bar was hella edgey with a giant Ronald Mcdonald head on the wall, the pints served in jam jars (take note Jam Tree) and the bills inside VHS cases. This place offered free Wi Fi and the name of it was FREE GAY PORN. No joke. Scene.
We visited this place a lot over the week and was adopted as our local. Try the Homer burger. However, the waiters weren't particularly friendly at times and had little patience. Luke's stray elbow knocking over the Waitress and smashing the tower of plates didn't help.
They also moved us from table to table regularly to accomodate other customers and told us one evening that we had to be out by 9pm as 10 lads were not welcome. Charming
That's cost you 4/5 but this is somewhere I strongly recommend especially for you East London folk out there. Decent establishment.
Summary of Restaurante Alcaravea
Name: Restaurante Alcaravea
Type: Restaurant
Location:
Website:
Website:
Date Visited: 28/2/14
Price: Unreal
Rating: 4.25/ 5
Review
Rob (Emma's Friend) had kindly hooked us up at this incredible restaurant which had opened only a few days prior. The guy behind it all, who Rob teaches English to, has three other restuarants around Madrid adopting the same formula. That formula works! Rob, Oli, Chopper, Emma, Hayley and myself were sat in the middle of the restaurant with a nice long sociable table. The food was perfecto mundo (Spanish reference for you) with my only concern being the plate it was served on. When the knife scraped against the plate it reminded me of scraping a spade on pavement. It gives me the shivers which was causing a scene so I had to change plates.
The tapas they ordered included 'broken eggs' (ham egg and chips) which was a particular highlight along with the Ox. Once food was finished it was time for a few goblets of Hendricks accompanied with a cucumber and when the bill arrived at around 35 Euros each we were delighted. Oli by the end was slumped on the bar mumbling about the great cheese while Chopper was asking people to take a photo of him and Rob. A bromance had formed and then we received a text...the remaing 10 lads had landed. Oops only 9 as Rusty had missed his flight due to over celebrating his promotion.
Review
Rob (Emma's Friend) had kindly hooked us up at this incredible restaurant which had opened only a few days prior. The guy behind it all, who Rob teaches English to, has three other restuarants around Madrid adopting the same formula. That formula works! Rob, Oli, Chopper, Emma, Hayley and myself were sat in the middle of the restaurant with a nice long sociable table. The food was perfecto mundo (Spanish reference for you) with my only concern being the plate it was served on. When the knife scraped against the plate it reminded me of scraping a spade on pavement. It gives me the shivers which was causing a scene so I had to change plates.
The tapas they ordered included 'broken eggs' (ham egg and chips) which was a particular highlight along with the Ox. Once food was finished it was time for a few goblets of Hendricks accompanied with a cucumber and when the bill arrived at around 35 Euros each we were delighted. Oli by the end was slumped on the bar mumbling about the great cheese while Chopper was asking people to take a photo of him and Rob. A bromance had formed and then we received a text...the remaing 10 lads had landed. Oops only 9 as Rusty had missed his flight due to over celebrating his promotion.
The gang
Summary of The Passenger
Name: The Passenger
Type: Bars
Location: Calle Pez, 16, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Website: http://www.parolio.com/portfolio/the-passenger/
Website: http://www.parolio.com/portfolio/the-passenger/
Date Visited: 28/2/14
Price: So much cheaper than England
Rating: 3/5
Review
The final remaining lads (bar Rusty) had arrived. 12 (minus Rusty) lads from Newcastle Uni, Rob, Max, Emma and Hayley formed the formidable force. We met at the bar, The Passenger, where everyone was on different levels of drunkness. Emma, Hayley, Max and Rob (Madrid Locals) were holding it together, the newly arrived 10 lads were stone cold sober, Luke and I were well oiled and Oli was really struggling.
This place is quite cool (which was to be expected with it being on Calle de Pez) and is very thin like all the places in Madrid. Probably too thin for our group party. Hendricks were back out again and Nick (the host) lost an unfortunate game of 5's meaning he had to 'see it off'. No repeats of his neknominate (thank god) and it certainly added to the atmosphere of excitement and anticipation of what held next.
The Passenger (the pub not Oli Leech who at this stage had become one due to his inebriety) they have flat screens are all along one wall showing surfers, from memory, which was a bit random but still very original. If you are in a party of 8 or less I would say this place is awesome for a few drinks but anything more than that I think the place is too thin and you can't socialise/operate properly.
Summary of B12 Bar
Name: B12 - The Bar lab
Type: Nightclub/Bar
Location: Calle de Joaquín Costa, 27, 28002 Madrid, Spain
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/B12-The-Bar-Lab/174147709327798?id=174147709327798&sk=info
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/B12-The-Bar-Lab/174147709327798?id=174147709327798&sk=info
Date Visited: 28/2/14
Price: For Madrid Pricey
Rating: Not valid for a rating
Review
Cost me 10 Euros to get in. I was in a group of 5, we did laps of the whole place searching every floor searching for the other 10. Was eventually told everyone was next door so we left within 15 minutes.
Entry was costly and the venue seemed cool albeit brief. All I can say is that the stamps they use to prove entry take a good 30 showers to get off. Put's infernons branding system to shame.
Cost me 10 Euros to get in. I was in a group of 5, we did laps of the whole place searching every floor searching for the other 10. Was eventually told everyone was next door so we left within 15 minutes.
Entry was costly and the venue seemed cool albeit brief. All I can say is that the stamps they use to prove entry take a good 30 showers to get off. Put's infernons branding system to shame.
Summary of Marvel Bar
Name: The Marvel Bar Genius
Type: Bar
Location:
Website:
Website:
Date Visited: 28/2/14
Price: Free entry....get in
Rating: 3.25/5
Review
After the confusion of entering the wrong bar we were welcomed like long lost soldiers from the rest of the group. Oli Leech had turned it around and was back in the game. The drinks were very much flowing now and the group were dancing like madmen. Emma's friend also called Emma (which caused some confusion) and her friends joined the ever-growing group. This place was situated over two floors, played great music, had high ceilings and the wait at the bar was short. Gourlay was throwing some serious shapes which was causing quite a stir. Unfortunately the place shuts at two so when we were just getting out 'the game changer' dance moves, the lights came on. The time was 2am but the group wanted more.
If you are coming to Madrid and you have a large group of people (predominantly males) I would say head over here to start things off as its free entry and the place is European cool, whatever that means.
Review
After the confusion of entering the wrong bar we were welcomed like long lost soldiers from the rest of the group. Oli Leech had turned it around and was back in the game. The drinks were very much flowing now and the group were dancing like madmen. Emma's friend also called Emma (which caused some confusion) and her friends joined the ever-growing group. This place was situated over two floors, played great music, had high ceilings and the wait at the bar was short. Gourlay was throwing some serious shapes which was causing quite a stir. Unfortunately the place shuts at two so when we were just getting out 'the game changer' dance moves, the lights came on. The time was 2am but the group wanted more.
If you are coming to Madrid and you have a large group of people (predominantly males) I would say head over here to start things off as its free entry and the place is European cool, whatever that means.
The Organiser on the left and The Stag on the right
Summary of La Cocina
Name: La Cocina Rock Bar
Type: Bar and Nightclub
Location: Av de Alberto Alcocer, 48, 28016 Madrid, Spain
Website: www.lacocinarockbar.com
Website: www.lacocinarockbar.com
Date Visited: 28/2/14
Price: ???
Rating: 3
Review
For the pedantic ones out there this should 'technically' be classed under Saturday because we entered this club at 3am. LADS LADS LADS. Now this place is very interesting. Everyone was fairly tanked up and bouncing from walls to walls but the party was still operating at 100% attendance rate (minus Rusty and Emma's friend Emma's friends....very confusing)
I can hear the question on the tip of everyone's lips...where in Madrid can we listen to Old school Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit (the band not Felton the Stag). Here is the answer! Ben, Chopper, Josh Lee, Joe, Freddie and Gabes were getting their serious mosh on. Everyone was to be fair. One Spaniard took offence to our dangerously good dance moves and threw a drink over Fred. It was tense but no further action was taken by either party.
It put a slight dampener (no pun intended) on our evening but overall it was a great place to go after a night out when you still want more. Think the Swan in Stockwell but a lot better. On entry you were meant to get a free shot but I was failed to be given one. Probably for the best but even with Rob asking for my dues in Spanish they still declined. That's cost you 0.25 of a point and takes you to a solid 3.
SATURDAY
Summary of Mercardo Food Market
Name: Mercardo
Type: Food Market
Location: Plaza de San Miguel, s/n, 28005 Madrid, Spain
Website:
Website:
Date Visited: 1/3/14
Price: Depends on the stall
Rating: 3.5/5
Review
Hello culture and hello rusty! Rusty had arrived after missing his original flight which cost him Friday's nights 'debauchery'. We arose from our beds/mattresses and we headed off to the food market (posh one apparently) I believe on Ben's (the chef) recommendations.
I'm not a big fan of overcrowding, unless at a gig of course, but it is to be expected at a market so I wasn't fussed. There were stall's everywhere (sort of the idea) and they had a wide range of items (again the idea). I enjoyed almost every item I tried and enjoyed my Sangria more (what back on it at Midday, stop it). In all honesty this place is really cool and the food is pretty decent, in particularly the Parma ham baguette.
TIP: How to do it wrong was shown by Chopper Harris who had a rice pudding cheese ball....COLD! Then it was some Spanish version of a pasty (empanadas) which was like most supermodels (Hot on the outside, cold on the inside....oooh he's got all the gags). To top it off he played it safe with Ham and Cheese on some famously Spanish stale bread. Again it was a poor shout.
So the lesson here is amigos choose wisely. For the experience it is a must visit in Madrid.
Poem AdviceHello culture and hello rusty! Rusty had arrived after missing his original flight which cost him Friday's nights 'debauchery'. We arose from our beds/mattresses and we headed off to the food market (posh one apparently) I believe on Ben's (the chef) recommendations.
I'm not a big fan of overcrowding, unless at a gig of course, but it is to be expected at a market so I wasn't fussed. There were stall's everywhere (sort of the idea) and they had a wide range of items (again the idea). I enjoyed almost every item I tried and enjoyed my Sangria more (what back on it at Midday, stop it). In all honesty this place is really cool and the food is pretty decent, in particularly the Parma ham baguette.
TIP: How to do it wrong was shown by Chopper Harris who had a rice pudding cheese ball....COLD! Then it was some Spanish version of a pasty (empanadas) which was like most supermodels (Hot on the outside, cold on the inside....oooh he's got all the gags). To top it off he played it safe with Ham and Cheese on some famously Spanish stale bread. Again it was a poor shout.
So the lesson here is amigos choose wisely. For the experience it is a must visit in Madrid.
Summary of La Perejila
Name: La Perejila
Type: Tapas Restaurant
Location: Cava Baja, 25, 28005 Madrid
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Perejila/116839091715751
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Perejila/116839091715751
Date Visited: 1/3/14
Price: Extremely well priced again
Rating: 2/5
Review
After the food market we were all still hungry as the food market was a nibbles sort of thing. Due to the majority of restaurants and bars being quite small we quickly realised that the group would have to split up into two.
I was in the second half with Farkas (organiser) Crackers (the Pole), Chopper and Josh (all the stories) Lee. This place is highly recommended on Google, not that we knew that at the time. You wouldn't of known it by the way we were greeted on arrival. Admittedly I was wearing a T-shirt and Gilet (no jumper) which may have given off a touristy vibe. Didn't quite fit into what they were looking for as the whole restaurant was singing in Spanish.
After a couple of grunts and points from the waitress we found ourselves sitting at a table directly next to the toilet, convenient I suppose. We ordered 4 beers and were presented with four quarter beers each. Chopper downed it, lad. We decided to upgrade from midget beers to Grande beers and this time we got nearer to the pints we were after. Chopper downed that again (in fact he downed all 5 beers he was given....good effort).
The tapas presented to us was really nice actually and filled us all up quite well with our hunger satisfied. The reason for this negative review, apart from the midget beers, was the waitress... terrible attitude
I, in my fantastic Spanish accent, asked for Allioli. I repeated this word 4 times to which the waitress would reply 'what are you trying to say?'
This exchange continued until the waitress said 'please?!?!, can I have some?!?! Manners!'.
'Allioli Gracias senorita?' I responded.
Hellmans mayonnaise with a clover of garlic arrived.
Company was good with some fantastic stories in particular from Josh Loose Lee and Farkas but due to attitude of the waitress and the seating position I would say do not go. Toilet Tapas is not a must!
It was the final night but before we started to head out to the nightclub scene where the Madrid local women would surround us, we had to get some grub. This was trickier than it sounded as no place could accommodate 14 guys at 9pm (primetime). We decided to split groups, with January to June birthdays in one and the rest of the year in the other. Perfect way to split and we were off.
After a couple of further rejections we found ourselves in La Jauria. Now this came with a caveat. We would all have to sit on one side of a long rectangle table facing the wall. Conversation was difficult and limited to those next to you. Lucky we are all such bloody legends. I can't tell you how odd it is with everyone sitting in a line facing the wall while eating your food.
Rob joined us and took his seat gratefully along side us opposite the wall. I'll tell you La Jauria have some very funky purple wallpaper. Waitress arrived and took our orders of 7 lamb shanks. Continental.
The lamb shanks were quality but the portion size was very little. I came to the conclusion that the Spanish just love to have about 9 courses so the British attitude of just one big main doesn't really work. Anyway it did a job, paid the bill, cheap again and we were off to join our amigos to hit the town.
SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT
EVERYBODY!
Review
After the food market we were all still hungry as the food market was a nibbles sort of thing. Due to the majority of restaurants and bars being quite small we quickly realised that the group would have to split up into two.
I was in the second half with Farkas (organiser) Crackers (the Pole), Chopper and Josh (all the stories) Lee. This place is highly recommended on Google, not that we knew that at the time. You wouldn't of known it by the way we were greeted on arrival. Admittedly I was wearing a T-shirt and Gilet (no jumper) which may have given off a touristy vibe. Didn't quite fit into what they were looking for as the whole restaurant was singing in Spanish.
After a couple of grunts and points from the waitress we found ourselves sitting at a table directly next to the toilet, convenient I suppose. We ordered 4 beers and were presented with four quarter beers each. Chopper downed it, lad. We decided to upgrade from midget beers to Grande beers and this time we got nearer to the pints we were after. Chopper downed that again (in fact he downed all 5 beers he was given....good effort).
The tapas presented to us was really nice actually and filled us all up quite well with our hunger satisfied. The reason for this negative review, apart from the midget beers, was the waitress... terrible attitude
I, in my fantastic Spanish accent, asked for Allioli. I repeated this word 4 times to which the waitress would reply 'what are you trying to say?'
This exchange continued until the waitress said 'please?!?!, can I have some?!?! Manners!'.
'Allioli Gracias senorita?' I responded.
Hellmans mayonnaise with a clover of garlic arrived.
Company was good with some fantastic stories in particular from Josh Loose Lee and Farkas but due to attitude of the waitress and the seating position I would say do not go. Toilet Tapas is not a must!
Summary of La Jauria
Name: La Jauria
Type: Restaurant
Location: Calle Colón, 10, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Website: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187514-d3419133-Reviews-La_Jauria-Madrid.html
Website: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187514-d3419133-Reviews-La_Jauria-Madrid.html
Date Visited: 1/3/14
Price: Again very good
Rating: 3/5
Review
It was the final night but before we started to head out to the nightclub scene where the Madrid local women would surround us, we had to get some grub. This was trickier than it sounded as no place could accommodate 14 guys at 9pm (primetime). We decided to split groups, with January to June birthdays in one and the rest of the year in the other. Perfect way to split and we were off.
After a couple of further rejections we found ourselves in La Jauria. Now this came with a caveat. We would all have to sit on one side of a long rectangle table facing the wall. Conversation was difficult and limited to those next to you. Lucky we are all such bloody legends. I can't tell you how odd it is with everyone sitting in a line facing the wall while eating your food.
Rob joined us and took his seat gratefully along side us opposite the wall. I'll tell you La Jauria have some very funky purple wallpaper. Waitress arrived and took our orders of 7 lamb shanks. Continental.
The lamb shanks were quality but the portion size was very little. I came to the conclusion that the Spanish just love to have about 9 courses so the British attitude of just one big main doesn't really work. Anyway it did a job, paid the bill, cheap again and we were off to join our amigos to hit the town.
SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT
EVERYBODY!
Summary of Le Boutique
Name: Le Boutique Discoteca
Type: Nightclub
Date Visited: 1/3/14
Price: London(ish)
Rating: 3.25/5
Review
Now before we came to this place I have to do a little shout out. After we had all joined force as one group of 14 lads we then went to Emma's friend Max's apartment which was on the 24th floor with amazing views of Madrid. Admittedly it took us an hour for us to get to the flat from his flat due to the lift getting stuck and Farkas' emergency Spanish letting us down. Cracknell, Josh Lee and Joe O Shea kept their cool. But once we arrived at the flat it was worth it, the view was incredible so thanks Max, hats off.
After we left Max's playboy flat it was time to hit the tiles..again. Le Boutique was decided by Emma to be the most accommodating establishment to let a group of over 10 well oiled lads in. On arrival it was decided that we should get a table by paying 30 euros each which would include entry. Very London.
Leech, Allen and Crackers were on the verge hysteria until they realised that it was not 50 euros. We got in and this place is quite basic in its idea. It is just a giant room with disco floors, dance-floors and bars dotted around for you to top yourself up. Perfect.
To be fair we didn't spend to much more than the 30 euros each as it covered us for most of the night. This place I have to say does a job. It's not going to win you over with its décor but its got a good dance floor, good music policy and stays open until very late. This is of course important on the final night.
Worth going to this place I would say.
Now before we came to this place I have to do a little shout out. After we had all joined force as one group of 14 lads we then went to Emma's friend Max's apartment which was on the 24th floor with amazing views of Madrid. Admittedly it took us an hour for us to get to the flat from his flat due to the lift getting stuck and Farkas' emergency Spanish letting us down. Cracknell, Josh Lee and Joe O Shea kept their cool. But once we arrived at the flat it was worth it, the view was incredible so thanks Max, hats off.
After we left Max's playboy flat it was time to hit the tiles..again. Le Boutique was decided by Emma to be the most accommodating establishment to let a group of over 10 well oiled lads in. On arrival it was decided that we should get a table by paying 30 euros each which would include entry. Very London.
Leech, Allen and Crackers were on the verge hysteria until they realised that it was not 50 euros. We got in and this place is quite basic in its idea. It is just a giant room with disco floors, dance-floors and bars dotted around for you to top yourself up. Perfect.
To be fair we didn't spend to much more than the 30 euros each as it covered us for most of the night. This place I have to say does a job. It's not going to win you over with its décor but its got a good dance floor, good music policy and stays open until very late. This is of course important on the final night.
Worth going to this place I would say.
The lads
I can't do a poem this week
It will take me far too long
To do a poem half heartedly
To me it just seems wrong
Sorry that it was a very long write up and if you are still reading now I applaud you.
It will be back to normality next week with a normal sized read for you all as there will only be a few places.
Special thanks in particular goes to Emma Horner for hosting our touring party well. The same goes to Max, Rob and Hayley.
The host
GO TO MADRID is my simple advice.
See you next week fans
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