Going out for tapas in Chueca isn\u2019t just a way to devour Madrid\u2019s culture\u2014it\u2019s a way to honor the city\u2019s history.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chueca’s tapas bar scene symbolizes what the neighborhood stands for: modernity, diversity, dedication to quality and continuous evolvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 1970s, Chueca was considered a dangerous area that even the president of Madrid’s LGBTQ+ coalition described as “sad and lonely<\/a>.” But that all changed in the early years of Spain’s democracy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chueca underwent a transformation, and the LGBTQ+ community was leading it. In a time when homosexuality was taboo, members of the community created a space of their own. Over time, abandoned buildings turned into nightclubs and crime decreased rapidly, making Chueca the home of Madrid\u2019s best nightlife scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chueca’s nightclubs gave way to businesses that opened all day long, including some of Madrid’s top tapas bars and markets. Here’s a curated list of where you can soak in the culture and celebrate the neighborhood while eating tapas in Chueca<\/p>\n\n\n

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1. Mercado de San Ant\u00f3n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Strolling through the aisles of Madrid\u2019s food markets, inhaling the aroma of Spanish jam\u00f3n<\/em> and getting caught up in the back-and-forth of vendors interacting with regular customers is a true cultural experience worth living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chueca\u2019s three-story Mercado de San Ant\u00f3n<\/a> marries the classic and the vanguard of Spanish market culture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first floor is home to 10 traditional vendors where locals shop for the best produce, meat and seafood. The second floor offers a more modern experience with a variety of tapas bars and restaurants. And don’t miss the third floor for a panoramic rooftop view of Chueca.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED<\/em><\/strong>: <\/em>The Ultimate Survival Guide to Spanish Food Markets<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n