palabras JOSÉ MARÍA ÁLVAREZ ORTEGO

Travelling all over the world, my perception of reality changed and I became more open minded about everything. Exploring different cultures also gave me the chance to enjoy and strengthen my own identity.

In the case of New York City, all the nationalities of the world converge at the same time. That is why, nowadays, the definition of the Big Apple as the 'Capital of the World' makes more sense than ever. As a guy from Madrid (Spain) who is living here I am contributing to this miscellany. Here one can do whatever is wanted, whenever, and however. The convenience offered by this city is simply incredible (ease of moving, ease of meeting people, ease of discovering what's new everyday. All this is only possible because New York never stops, and every single minute there's something new going on.

Madrid. Spain

The differences between my city, Madrid, and New York are not as big as one might expect. It isn't too difficult to acclimate to the rhythm of New York for someone who comes from the capital of Spain. Don't forget that Madrid is the third largest capital of the European Union in terms of population within city limits, right after London and Berlin. It is not a big change, but there are several aspects that should be pointed out.

Each city has a different combination of choices, ambiances, locals, etc. New York has plenty of them. Here are some of the most interesting from my point of view:

To talk about New York is to talk about Nightlife in every sense of the word. This is one of the points where Spain in general, particularly Madrid, and New York City are alike: clubbing and nightlife. The main difference between nightlife in Spain and nightlife in New York is that we (Spaniards) usually go out at around 11pm, after having dinner. Then we have a drink with our friends. And afterward, at 2 am, we usually go to a club. That is an approximate idea of how a regular weekend night in Madrid would be for me. In New York I have to do it earlier. Instead of having dinner at 10pm, I eat at 8pm. The "pregame" with my friends here starts earlier than I am used to. However, it is not a bad deal to adapt to it. In some ways, it is even better especially if you have to work the next day.

Clubs in "my Mediterranean country" close at 6 or 7 am, whereas here the closing time is 4 am. That is probably the biggest change that a Spaniard might feel when going out. However, it is worth it. Not only because the choices are almost endless, but also because it isn't too difficult to adapt to this sort of different "schedule".

So, if you come from Spain and you want to enjoy the city to the max, here is the most recommended "route" that you should follow:

Wicked Willie's. New York

The Red Lion. New York

During the week there are thousands of places to go. My personal suggestion is to take a look around Greenwich Village. On Mondays, Wicked Willies (149 Bleeker St, 212-254-8592) is one of the best choices: Cheap drinks, happy hour and a 100% American atmosphere. Whereas on Tuesdays, The Red Lion (151 Bleeker St, 212-260-9797) is a great option for those who love live blues music. In Spain you can't find places with such an original American flavor.

Cielo. New York

Mondo. Madrid

On Wednesdays, the selections increase. If you are interested in something more "relaxing" and typically American again, your place is Off the Wagon (109 Mcdougal St, 212-353-4487), also located in Greenwich Village. However, if you are looking for something else, like a club, Home (532 W 27th St, 212-273-3700) in Chelsea is your place: hip-hop and R&B music and beautiful girls. You will enjoy it more after 1:00 am, but it gets very crowded at that time. My suggestion is arriving there at least one hour before and waiting peacefully for a while. It is worth it. Cielo (18 Little West 12th Street 212-645-5700), is also a very interesting possibility for Wednesdays. The local's style and the music reminds me very much of one of my favorite clubs in Madrid, Mondo (Calle Arlabán, 7. Madrid. Spain).

Fuencarral Street's area. Madrid

Pianos. New York (Lower East Side)

My last proposal is the Lower East Side, a very cool area which is very similar to the area around Fuencarral Street, in Madrid (Subway: Metro Línea 1 and 10 - Tribunal). It has an “underground” style, very casual, but fashionable at the same time. It is also like going out in Berlin sometimes. The people you see, their style of clothing, etc. I recommend visiting Pianos (158 Ludlow St, 212-505-3733). If you enjoy the Lower East Side,especially in terms of music, then you should visit my favourite club in Madrid: Taboo (Calle San Vicente Ferrer 23. Madrid. Spain). Don't even consider missing it.

Taboo. Madrid

So far, my review about the first three days of the week shows it is a great time to go out, because there is always something going on. However, things get more interesting during the weekends. If you are Spanish, three places are essential to go out on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. All of them are New York City Nightlife classics and are located in the Chelsea district too.

Pink Elephant. New York

Palacio de Gaviria. Madrid

On Thursdays, the only club you should think about is called Pink Elephant (527 W 27 St, 212-463-0000). This club is not too big inside but the level of the music, the Dj's, and the people are just amazing with an obvious European taste. This is a very personal point of view, but the old Chesterfield Café, now Starcafé (Calle Serrano Jover 5. Madrid. Spain), a couple of years ago offered what Pink Elephant is doing now. Thinking about where is similar now, I think of Bisú (Calle José Abascal 8. Madrid. Spain) because it has commercial (but good) music most of the time and some famous people. But there's something much more spectacular: Palacio de Gaviria (C/ Arenal 9. Madrid. Spain) is something you have never seen before. El Palacio is an Old Spanish palace which has been converted into a club, like the places that can be found in the Upper East Side. Foreigners love it.

Marquee. New York

Joy Eslava. Madrid

Moving on during the weekends, we get to Fridays. A day that for the Spanish people means Marquee (289 10th Av, 646-473-0202). This is one of the best known clubs in the city, and on Fridays it is filled with Spaniards. It is literally like being in Madrid inside New York. 75% of the people you will find on Fridays are not only from Spain, but from Madrid. The music is some of the best in New York. They play House combined with percussion performances on the dance floor. There's another floor upstairs, dedicated to Hip Hop and R&B freaks. It is difficult to find only one local club like this in Madrid, because there are so many. My two selections are: Joy Eslava (better on Thursdays) (C/ Arenal 11. Madrid. Spain). The second one is club called La Posada de las Ánimas (Calle Lagasca 31, Madrid).

La Posada de las Ánimas. Madrid

Mansion NY. New York

And finally, we have Saturdays, destined for Mansion New York (530 W 28 St, 212-629-9000). Right now, this is one of the biggest clubs in New York. It is relatively new, bringing its original taste from Miami. The music is its strongest point. The space inside is huge, especially for a club in New York, and the performances are simply shocking: Opera sopranos singing in the middle of the party, acrobats dancing while they risk their lives, etc. The advantage of this club, compared to Marquee, is that here you can feel more an international atmosphere than just a Spanish atmosphere.

Pachá Madrid

Pachá New York

Trying to match Mansion NY with clubs in Madrid, my first and clearest idea was to think about Pachá Madrid, nothing to do with Pachá NY (618 W 46th St, 212-757-9743) . First of all, the people you will find inside Pachá Madrid are anything but vulgar, something that in New York is usual. The details of the venue are also better in Madrid. That's why it is always one of the best choices in the Spanish Capital: Pachá (Calle Barceló 11. Madrid. Spain).

Kapital. Madrid

Reina Bruja. Madrid

The second option, another classic of Madrid's nightlife and very similar to Mansion is Kapital(Calle Atocha 125. Madrid. Spain). It is defined as one of the top 5 clubs in the world. The sound, the space, the 7 floors, and the "Megatrón" make it absolutely worth it. Anyway, there is a third very "fashionable" place somehow similar to these in the capital of Spain: Reina Bruja(Calle Jacometrezo 6. Madrid. Spain). For this one, all I can say is: visit Madrid, and check it out with your own eyes.

So, if in New York you are interested in going to these places, all you need to do is go to Marquee or Mansion on Fridays and Saturdays, respectively, at 12:30am and ask for the Spanish promoters, working for 2CPEVENTS. You can follow the crowd of people from Spain very easily, ask them, and they will let you know what to do. The night is yours!