Issue #5 - 25th - 31st May
Libros y cerveza
If you’ve been for a pasear through El Retiro recently, you’ll have noticed that the picturesque tree-lined path of Paseo de Fernán Núñez (better known as that big road in Retiro) has a new addition.
White stalls now frame the calle, blocking all cute spring sunset snaps.
While they might not be as pretty, the Book Fair (Feria del Libro de Madrid) it is being built for should make up for it.
And beyond books, the week ahead is looking bright. Not just because of the 33°C forecast (91.4°F for our American compañeros).
But because the freebie God’s have blessed us, once again, with new temporary exhibition, another pop up (wooo!) and free concerts at Sala Equis.
We’ll also be giving you the lowdown on Madrid’s vintage scene, plus a free outdoor dance class that feels like it’s straight out of a film. Better start practicing to count to ocho!
Ewa Juszkiewicz exhibition at the Thyssen - We wouldn’t blame you if you were thinking, ‘I’ve been to the Thyssen before’. Who hasn’t? (Madrid’s best tienda de museo, right). But, from Tuesday 26th, you’ll be able to see Ewa Juszkiewicz’s first solo show. She’s a surrealist, so think strange. Then add scarves and suffocation, and you’ve got the theme of the exhibition. Mondays are always free, and on Saturdays between 9pm and 11pm, there’s also no charge. No excuse not to go really. F x
Coolway pop-up - Calling all sneakerheads! Summer is in full swing and it’s time to brighten up your wardrobe with a new shoe rotation. Coolway, the Valencia-based brand known for their retro-sport silohuette and plethora of vibrant colourways, will be showcasing their new collection on 29th and 30th of May from 11am to 8pm at Calle Manuel Sivela, 3, Chamberí. They’re also promising a ‘light experience’ by Vitamin and free gifts for all. G x
Sala Equis - Some places just ooze coolness, and Sala Equis is one of them. Originally styled as the Cine Alba in 1941, it transitioned in the 1980s to what would become the city’s last X-rated cinema. Now it serves as a multifunctional cultural centre, just a few steps away from the bustle of El Rastro. (It also made it to Time Out’s list of the top 50 most beautiful cinemas in the world in 2025). The repurposed courtyard has the vibe of an urban beach bar - stripped back, leafy and informal, with swing seats and deck chairs to lounge on. Classical films are projected silently in the background, above a bar where you can get cold beers and warm buttery popcorn. For cinephiles, there’s an intimate movie theatre showcasing curated monthly cycles of independent and international films, mixing older art-house favourites with modern festival hits. And on Sundays, Sala Equis hosts the most amazing free concerts (normally the first at 2pm, followed by a second set at 3.45pm) of Soul, Blues, Funk, Rock, Latin, Swing and more. Come ready to boogie and make sure to arrive early if you want to grab a table! G x
Feria del Libro de Madrid - El Retiro will be hosting the 85th edition of Madrid’s spring Book Fair, stating this Friday the 29th. The park gets busy on the best of days, but expect Paseo de Fernán Núñez to be chock-o-block as people peruse the discounted books, queue for the now-famous daily author signings and storytelling session at the over 350 pavilions, representing independent bookshops and major publishers. Humour is this year’s theme, so expect some risitas. A rival for Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival, maybe? It’s a ficture in the park until 14 June, so keep your eye on the schedule so you don’t miss a word! F x
Korea Brand Expo - Want to get a flavour for Korean culture totally gratis and without the jet lag? This week, over fifty Korean companies across the sectors of beauty, food, fashion and lifestyle will be at Calle Larre, 14 between the 27th to the 29th May for the exop. The venue is designed under the concept of a “Seoul Beauty Salon”, which, as a sucker for a sheet mask, sounds right up my street. There’s even some K-Pop dancing and meet and greets with Korean celebs! G x
Impronta Festival - The third edition of the design festival takes place on 30th and 31st of May at Palacio de Santa Barbara. Over thirty designers from all over Spain have been carefully selected to exhibit contemporary craftsmanship alongside responsible production and sustainability. Co-founder, Silvia María Mor, (a designer and art director trained in Milan) summarises the festival as such: “Impronta is not a fair, it is a place where contemporary crafts meet design, culture and the public. A space to look to the future from the authenticity and beauty of what is handmade”. Sounds worth a browse! And Foccaciamo (aka the most delish sandwich in Madrid) will be there to provide some Italian gastronomic delights! G x
Las Tacaña’s Vintage Guide
Vintage shopping in a European city musters images of mercadillos in Milan and Roma, abound with Prada bags, Mongolian fur coats and a strong smell of espresso.
Paris follows closely: the little boutiques you chance upon, filled with such gems that even my Pinterest board and Vinted fyp at its best combined could not compete.
Well, last week, I added Madrid to that fantasy.
The city is full of vintage shops. But, be warned: not all are made equal.
Some feel like stepping into the sample wardrobe at Vogue, while a few can be avoided altogether.
Channelling my inner Emily Charlton, I spent the afternoon doing the hard work for you (any excuse for window shopping).
You can’t always tell at first glance, but I’ve learned that less is usually more. Fewer racks, less stock, (and less smell…) usually means things have realmente been curated. (There have been a few too many Zara labels floating about).
And while vintage rarely means cheap, buying well means you’ll keep it for years.
So, if you’re looking for something special - and trying to avoid fast fashion - here’s where I’d start:
Top three:
Loop Vintage - Like all good vintage crawls, this one started on Calle de Velarde, in Malasaña - the epicenter of the city’s segundo mano scene. You won’t have to walk far to get to Loop. The shop is small, curated and full of good going out tops, summer dresses and cute boots. Everything feels individually selected rather than thrown onto a rail, and there’s a small menswear section too (which was dangerously good). It was reasonably priced, though some labels did scare me. That said, don’t skip this one.
Exotica - At the other end of the street, I also loved Exotica. A little more upmarket, the clothes and accessories are beautifully displayed. I fell in love with a handbag (or two) and the belt selection could not be rivalled. Most of the stuff was a bit on the pricier side, as it is mostly designer marcas, but those Dolce and Gabbana mules will forever live in my head rent free. Only womenswear, as far as I could tell. If you only had time to go to one, i’d recommend this one (with a strong caveat about the €€€).
Magpie Vintage - If you want a safe bet, go here. The shop is big, but it doesn’t feel cramped and the clothes are well-selected: alongside the Versace camisoles, there were Jennyfer faldas. I’m sure you’d find at least one thing you like, and this was one of the more affordable shops on the street. There’s a whole section for men, with sudaderas galore. This one made it onto the Google list.
If you have the time:
Sin Espacio (original) - I haven’t personally found anything here, but the range is great. It is higher-end, so be prepared for the prices. The first shop in La Latina is better than the new one in Malasaña.
Conga Vintage - This one is closer to Plaza del Dos de Mayo at the end of the street, so probably caught me when I was quite tired. But, it was worth the visit. Not ‘save the best ‘till last’, but decent. It had a good selection of denim jackets, jeans and trousers. I found a pair of Armarni jeans to die for, but they were muy pequeña.
El Divan de Coco - This one felt the most retro-vintage of the bunch. It had streams of Vintage bags, shoes, dresses and t-shirts. The staff were really kind and helpful (and kept directing me to their two other sister shops when I was unsuccessful). There’s even a cafe tucked away at the back. I usually complain about the old, stuffy wardrobe smell but this one had a sweet airfreshener that nearly knocked me out.
Neare Clothes Vintage Shop - very curated, but very pricey too. It’s worth a wander around, because all of the pieces are stunning. The shop itself too.
What to avoid:
Alphaville vintage shop - Saw a lot of Zara and felt like mostly menswear.
Siloam Vintage - Very sparce, but not in the curated sense.
Columbus Vintage Second Hand Clothes - perfect if you’re looking for an 80s windbreaker.
May the rails be full, curated, and your bank account remain intact. F x
Time to bailar
An impromptu river stroll on a warm evening led me to stumble upon this magnificent fiesta de baile beside La Ermita Virgen del Puerto, under sunset skies.
The pumping music and twirling heads in the distance had entranced me from afar and I was half-expecting a flash mob with a synchronised backflip sequence and twerk-off.
Circling the church, there were three different styles on display: salsa, bachata and some sort of swing (if I were to draw upon my Strictly Come Dancing schooling). There were some steamy sights in the bachata group and much hip wiggling all round. I’m unsure as to which is the more entertaining: watching or participating?
Scarred by a previous instance of having been dragged into a public tango with a random stranger, I was careful to stick to the fringes of the circle.
However, it was hard to resist the infectious rhythm and soon I was trying to mirror the body rolling step of the dances, with terrifying results. Fearful of further losing my dignity, I eventually peeled myself away, feeling newly uplifted.
There are free dance classes most evenings of the week, covering a range of styles. You can find more information as well as a community WhatsApp group via the Free Dance Madrid Instagram account. Time to whip out some moves! G x
Bye for now, Tacañas. We’ll be back next week with some more recommendations. Try not to melt in the meantime!
G and F x
Free dance classes on a balmy evening! Sign me up!!
And yep I agree and highly recommend Sala Equis.