Ironic accidental homophony: this place is WAY too bright to be seedy (as it's pronounced in Spanish) and lacking that disqualifies it as a dive bar (for the same reason). Funny nonetheless!
We stopped in here with a few new friends and were lucky to get a table at/around 10:00. The place has got a a long bar and some tables opposite, set next to a series of big plate-glass windows. The menu items are SUPER cheap, but I'll get to that in a minute.
If you want to order, you have to do it from the bar. Depending on the noise level in there, you may have to really project your voice at point-blank range into the bartender's ear. It can get LOUD in there. When your order's ready, the bartenders will whistle at you (as one would call a dog over) to come fetch it.
The portions are HUGE and generous tapas come with each round of drinks. There were five of us: we bought ten beers and two "raciones" (plates), one of calamares (not rubbery!) and one of croquetas (TEN on a plate). The bill: 35 euros. Not bad at all for that area of Madrid.
Had a great time! Probably the thing that separates this bar from any other typical Spanish bar is its location. If by definition this is a dive bar then basically all typically Spanish bars are dive bars, yet this one in Malasaña brings all those implications to the poshest neighborhood in the city: fried food, loud conversation, and low prices. read more