1862 Dry Bar
1862 Dry Bar is a speakeasy-style cocktail bar tucked into a Malasana side street, a short walk from Gran Via. The space is small, holding about 30 people across a narrow room with a bar running along one wall. The cocktail program is ambitious and executed with skill. Bartenders use house-made syrups, infusions, tinctures, and fresh ingredients to build drinks that balance creativity with drinkability. The menu changes seasonally but always includes a few classics alongside the originals. A cocktail runs EUR 10-14, which is fair for the quality. The atmosphere is intimate and focused on the drinks. Lighting is low, music is quiet, and conversation is the expected activity. The staff are knowledgeable and happy to discuss their creations or make something off-menu based on your preferences. The bar fills quickly on weekends, and reservations aren't taken, so arriving by 9 PM is smart. The Malasana location puts you in one of Madrid's most interesting bar neighborhoods, with dozens of options within a five-minute walk.
What to Expect
A small, dimly lit cocktail bar where the drinks are the focus. You'll sit at the bar or at a tiny table, study the menu, and drink something carefully crafted. The pace is slow and intentional. Don't come here for shots and quick rounds.
Intimate, craft-focused, and quietly excellent. A bartender's bar.
Low background jazz and soul. Conversation volume.
Smart casual. The atmosphere invites some effort.
Cocktail enthusiasts, couples, anyone who appreciates craft bartending.
Cash and cards accepted
Price Range
Cocktails EUR 10-14, beer EUR 5-6, wine EUR 5-7
≈ $11-15 cocktails, $5-7 beer
Hours
Mon-Thu 6 PM to 2 AM, Fri-Sat 6 PM to 2:30 AM
Insider Tip
Arrive before 9 PM on weekends to get a spot. Tell the bartender what flavors you like and let them improvise. The seasonal menu is always worth exploring.
Full Review
Finding 1862 Dry Bar requires paying attention to the street numbers on Calle del Pez. The entrance is modest, and inside the room is narrow enough that passing someone requires turning sideways. The bar occupies most of one wall, with a few small tables along the opposite side. The decor is minimal: dark walls, a few bottles displayed thoughtfully, and lighting that keeps things dim without being gloomy.
The cocktails are where 1862 earns its reputation. On my visit, the bartender spent three minutes building a drink that involved a house-made cardamom syrup, aged rum, and a citrus element I couldn't identify. It was excellent. A second drink, improvised based on my request for 'something bitter and refreshing,' was equally good. The craft here is genuine, not performative.
The crowd on a Friday evening was local and thirtyish. People spoke quietly and drank slowly. Nobody was in a rush. The bartenders engaged with each customer, explaining ingredients and techniques with obvious passion. It felt like a bar that exists because the people who run it love making drinks.
The Malasana neighborhood around Calle del Pez is one of Madrid's best for bar-hopping. After a cocktail or two at 1862, you can walk in any direction and find interesting options: wine bars, craft beer spots, and late-night tapas within a few minutes' walk.
The Neighborhood
1862 Dry Bar is on Calle del Pez in Malasana, the neighborhood that functions as Madrid's creative and alternative hub. The surrounding streets are packed with independent bars, restaurants, vintage shops, and the kind of foot traffic that keeps things interesting until late. Gran Via is a two-minute walk south.
Getting There
Metro L1 to Noviciado, then a 2-minute walk east. From Gran Via station (L1/L5), walk north on any side street into Malasana. Calle del Pez runs roughly east-west through the middle of the neighborhood.
Address
Calle del Pez 27, 28004 Madrid
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