Castizo and contemporary
Curiously, when one goes on the internet to search for “Viva Madrid”, what happens is that the first thing that appears is ** a restaurant in Claremont, California **, that promises “authentic Spanish food” and (does not) deliver on it by serving specialties. sui generis such as “Filet Mignon and Gambas de Golfo” (sic), Canarian Paella or “Stuffed Eggplant” (and sic), accompanied by suggestive cocktails such as La Espada de Cristal (with tequila, mezcal and “chili serrano syrup”) or Rocinante (with ginger beer and fresh lemon juice, served as the sangria) .
Despite such a fascinating offer, it will not be this one, at least on this occasion, on which we put the magnifying glass, but on another ** Viva Madrid **, which is located in Madrid's Barrio de las Letras. The festive and verbenero name, the mere fact that both serve food, drinks and cocktails, and that both also intend (each in their own way) to pay homage to the Spanish capital, are all the similarities that exist between the two. The differences, countless.
Diego Cabrera and Ricardo García, partner and owner
The main one, its solera, its juicy and centennial history , but also who is behind the new life of the authentically Madrid tavern. We talk about Diego Cabrera , from ** Salmón Gurú **, who, in addition to being one of the best cocktail shakers in the world, is a true lover of authentic locals and a collector of cult objects, and who is enjoying this new adventure like a dwarf .
The people of Buenos Aires are aware that Madrid is more alive than ever and, forgive the redundancy, its bars too. For this reason, he did not want to miss the opportunity to revive this flagship of the neighborhood and the city -two steps from his cocktail bar, on Echegaray Street- giving it his personal stamp and keeping much of what it had when it opened, in 1856. " We have not changed -he assures-, we have recovered. And for this, we have counted not only on the best decorator, but also on a consumer from 20 years ago, Lazaro Rosa Violan , who came to Viva Madrid as a teenager”.
Being a protected place, the interventions have been subtle, more aimed at looking back than forward. “Some counterbars from 1920 were incorporated, the lighting has been played with and we have adorned with collector's items , such as cocktail shakers, very old books and siphons, to demonstrate the transition from the tavern to the cocktail bar in space”.
The famous mosaics remain intact.
on the facade, its yellow and blue tiles with the image of Cibeles have not moved . Inside, several environments have been maintained: at the entrance, the most tavern zone (“unusual tavern” they like to call it, to shake off the labels); upstairs, the cocktail bar, and in summer, the terrace at street level.
While at the front the star is the half combination (a cocktail from 1927) and a very good selection of vermouths (with siphon), the cocktail bar, unlike Salmón Gurú, focuses on the classics (the mojitos, the martinis, the negronis on duty) . “Viva Madrid was a place of standing chat, a tavern, and in recent years it became a restaurant, and for this reason, many of its regular customers stopped coming. We gave it back its identity as a tavern, adding the unusual touch that the cocktail bar gives it. We intend to recover classics and expand the range to new consumers, and once again excite the old ones”.
Half combination, a classic that tastes better here
Restoration is in charge Stanis Carrenzo (who used to work at Sudestada, from Grupo Bestiario) . He is in charge of giving that “unusual touch” to traditional tapas and portions -salad, peppers, **baked meat**, cans...- with fun presentations that pair perfectly with drinks.
Finally, the soundtrack of Viva Madrid is the one that sounded in the 20s : old Cuban trova, flamenco, bolero, tango... Diego personally chooses it, and sometimes it comes out from a slate turntable. Paradoxically, it manages to equally involve a heterogeneous audience, where no one feels alienated. There are twenty-somethings, but yesterday's unconditional supporters have also returned, something Diego is more than proud of: "The other day, a man in his 80s gave me the nicest compliment I've ever received: 'I had left to come and, coming back today, you have made me rejuvenate 40 years. Thank you very much'".
corners of always
Address: Manuel Fernández y González nº 7, Madrid See map
Telephone: 916 05 97 74
Schedule: Every day from 12:00 to 02:00 (Monday closed)