What Bar Did Hemingway Frequent in Madrid?

By Michael Ferguson

When Ernest Hemingway moved to Madrid in the 1920s, he quickly fell in love with the city’s vibrant culture, delicious food, and lively nightlife. One of his favorite haunts was a little bar called La Venencia.

La Venencia:
Located in the heart of Madrid’s historic district, La Venencia was a popular meeting place for artists, writers, and intellectuals during Hemingway’s time in the city. The bar is known for its sherry selection and Hemingway was said to have had a particular fondness for their Fino sherry.

The Atmosphere:

La Venencia has retained much of its original charm over the years. The interior is dimly lit with wooden barrels lining the walls and old-fashioned bottles of sherry on display behind the bar. The bartenders still wear traditional white jackets and pour their sherry using venenciadoras, long metal straws that are used to extract the drink from the barrel without disturbing the sediment.

Hemingway’s Connection:

Hemingway was a regular at La Venencia during his time in Madrid and it is said that he even wrote part of his novel “For Whom the Bell Tolls” at one of its tables. He also mentioned La Venencia in several of his works including “Death in the Afternoon” where he described it as “a clean, well-lighted place.”

    Other Notable Visitors:

But Hemingway wasn’t the only famous visitor to La Venencia. The bar has also been frequented by other notable figures such as Salvador Dali and Federico Garcia Lorca.

Visiting Today:

If you’re planning a trip to Madrid and want to visit La Venencia for yourself, be prepared for an authentic experience. The bar has no music or TV screens and only serves sherry and a few small snacks. But if you’re looking for a taste of Hemingway’s Madrid, this is the place to be.

In conclusion, La Venencia is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in experiencing the same atmosphere and sherry that Hemingway enjoyed during his time in Madrid. With its old-world charm and historic significance, it’s no wonder Hemingway was drawn to this little bar again and again.