In the past, singing cafés in Spain were entertainment venues that offered popular shows of “cante”, “toque” and dancing. Famous in Spanish cities such as Seville, Madrid and Barcelona in the mid-19th century, they were the origin in the 1960s of the flamenco tablaos we know today.
Flamenco de Leones recaptures the essence and tradition of those singing cafés, reinventing the flamenco experience and blending gastronomy, music, art and dance.
This gastronomic and flamenco venue, part of the Ramses District group and bearing the unmistakable stamp of hotel entrepreneur Jorge Llovet, is located in the heart of Madrid’s Salamanca district, next to the Puerta de Alcalá and very close to the Retiro Park. The magic begins when you cross the entrance for carriages, decorated with evocative oil paintings by artist Iván Floro, continues in the Patio de Leones and ends in the Tablao Flamenco, accessed via majestic Venetian marble staircases, also adorned with works by Floro.
Tablao Flamenco
At Flamenco de Leones, popular art, including “cante”, “toque”, flamenco dancing and the finest cuisine, come together to offer an unforgettable experience. A brilliant idea that not only entertains but also educates and preserves Spanish culture, enveloping the audience in an embrace of tradition and modernity.
Who better than the creators of this space to define it? “Flamenco de Leones is a temple built with ancient words and strums that touch the soul. Where the jaleo is the judge, where tears of joy are shed and sadness is danced away with “zapateo”. A true temple for purists, magical for tourists and unpredictable for regulars. Flamenco de Leones is “bravura”, purity and beauty at its most intense. You don’t need to understand the language because here it is flamenco that speaks for itself. This is where you come to break your voice and tear your soul apart. Art in Spain isn’t hung on walls, it’s lived in Flamenco de Leones.”
To bring flamenco shows and gastronomy to life, there are different spaces, all designed by the prestigious architecture and interior design studio Jouin Mankú. The Great Hall, decorated with hand-painted tiles by Sergio Mora, is a unique, intimate and welcoming space; a small corner with a captivating personality. Ideal for special events and private functions, it is inspired by our region and fills guests’ hearts with the joy and flavours of Andalusia. For its part, Flamenco Principal is the heart of Flamenco de Leones, showcasing this art form in its purest form. It is the place where all the energy that the “cantaores”, “bailaoras”, and “bailaores” share with the audience is concentrated. A show in which the performers of “cante jondo” honour our past.
Finally, El Tabanco is the prelude to the main show, or as they define it: “their theatre of flamenco emotions”. A great museum of the senses where you can experience the first scene of gastronomy and delight your palate with the most delicious creations of our cuisine, always in a setting surrounded by Spanish art. And the Salón del Señorito is a “tablao de autor”, an intimate and private space where you can feel the full force of flamenco dancing.
Generous, bright and full of character, the cuisine is a true reflection of the Andalusian spirit. Inspired by the Mediterranean cuisine of southern Spain, refined interpretations of traditional dishes are created in its kitchens, using the highest quality seasonal products. A journey through the most authentic flavours, beginning with a selection of the best tapas and ending with the purest, most Andalusian dishes of traditional Spanish cuisine. Delicacies such as slow-cooked bull’s tail, coastal sole in black butter or creamy mushroom rice connect with Spanish culinary traditions, always with a refined and contemporary twist.
Flamenco revelry, clapping from dawn to dusk and joy in your mouth
Flamenco de Leones is bravura, purity and the most intense beauty; a journey through the different styles of flamenco where tradition and the avant-garde go hand in hand. With artistic direction by Jonatan Miró, a maestro who at the young age of eighteen was already a member of the Spanish National Ballet, and a cast of world-class professional artists who take to the stage every night, the result could only be a fresh, contemporary show of the highest quality. With all their talent, they make every show a celebration of art and life, in a place where tradition meets innovation, capturing the essence of authentic flamenco.
From Tuesday to Saturday, Flamenco de Leones offers two shows every night, allowing visitors to choose between two unique and unforgettable experiences. The first show begins at 8:15 p.m. and a tapas menu is available from 7:00 p.m. The second, which begins at 10 p.m., allows you to enjoy a complete evening from 8:15 p.m. onwards, immersing yourself fully in the magic of the show and the cuisine.
Flamenco de Leones is not only a place to see and hear flamenco, but also a space to feel it, where you can let yourself be carried away by the emotions that flamenco awakens and enjoy a gastronomic experience that matches the artistry of its performers.
Patio de Leones
Near Flamenco de Leones, at number 1 Calle Serrano, you will find Patio de Leones, an authentic, traditional tavern that pays homage to Madrid’s traditions. Patio de Leones opens its doors early in the morning with breakfast and closes in the early hours of the morning, offering the best of Spanish cuisine in an environment where every detail has been carefully considered.
Patio de Leones reinterprets traditional spirit from a contemporary, fresh and sophisticated perspective. A space designed as a tribute to traditional Madrid taverns, capturing the essence of social gatherings, shared joy and the authentic flavour of Spanish produce. From north to south and east to west, its cuisine is inspired by the products and traditional recipes of Spain. You will be able to savour every corner of the country.
Seasonal dishes share space on the menu with other timeless classics, including the melt-in-the-mouth potato omelette, Cinco Jotas ham croquettes, Russian salad, patatas bravas and the famous churros with chocolate, which would be a sin to leave Madrid without trying. All this paired with more than three hundred wines, vermouths and cocktails.
The festive spirit of Spanish culture permeates every corner of this venue thanks to the interior design work of Sergio Mora, which features painted tiles on the walls, posters with flamenco icons and sculptures by Pepe Puente. This spacious venue invites you to enjoy a pleasant and unforgettable evening comfortably seated on stools surrounding high tables, with magnificent views of the Puerta de Alcalá.
