Madrid Stag

BeepBeep!

Looking for a few ideas...a Stag group of 17 of us are heading to Madrid in May for a stag. I'm the best man, have flights, transfers and accommodation all sorted. Thing is, everyone else thinks we are heading to Barcelona and I don't intend to tell them until we are on the bus on the way to Dublin airport.
Anyone got any ideas on how I can break the news to the groom/rest of the group?? I know it sounds a bit of a stupid idea but its just for a laugh to get the stag off to a good start. Don't want to hear how bad Madrid in compared to Barcelona, just ideas please.
Also, I've been doing a bit of research into Madrid and it looks a great spot. Anyone been before and have any experience of it. Cheers

adrian522

The thing I like about Madrid is that there are no Stag parties of 17 lads on the piss.

Are you looking for advice on how to tell your friends they are not going to Barcelona? Doesn't seem that complicated a problem to be honest.

On a more serious note, Madrid is a wonderful city, there is loads to do but I'm not sure its a great stag destination. Going to the football is always good I guess. Also there are usually some sort of outdoor party or festival going on. What dates are you there?

I'd really be the wrong person to advise on nightclubs and whatnot, La Latina is a good area for tapas bars etc. Plaza Santa Ana is good too.

coylemj

I'd agree with the poster above, Madrid is more about culture and history, it would not be on my list of stag destinations and I've been there three times. You need to be aware that most places will be closed in the early evening - most restaurants don't open for dinner until 9 or 10 p.m. So whereas Las Ramblas in Barcelona would be open all day for the tourists who want to eat and drink all day and nobody would pass any heed to an Irish stag party, that would not apply to Madrid where there is a period in the day when very little is going on and you will be hard pressed to find a place that will put up with 17 lads intent on drinking themselves silly.

BeepBeep!

lol Sorry for spoiling Madrid for you, don't think we will be your typical piss up stag party but I take your point. Yeah, looking for a good way to tell them they aren't going to Barcelona, a bit better than just saying we are heading to Madrid and not Barcelona.
All we are after are good tapas bars and good weather and maybe a bit of sightseeing so I think it'll be right down our street. We are staying just off Peurto del Sol. I hear Malasana is a good area, have you any experience of it? Cheers or the reply!

BeepBeep!

coylemj wrote: »

I'd agree with the poster above, Madrid is more about culture and history, it would not be on my list of stag destinations and I've been there three times. You need to be aware that most places will be closed in the early evening - most restaurants don't open for dinner until 9 or 10 p.m. So whereas Las Ramblas in Barcelona would be open all day for the tourists who want to eat and drink all day and nobody would pass any heed to an Irish stag party, that would not apply to Madrid where there is a period in the day when very little is going on and you will be hard pressed to find a place that will put up with 17 lads intent on drinking themselves silly.

Cheers coylemj, I have heard that the nightlife doesn't really kick off until early morning but unaware of the restaurant opening hours. Good to know. Thanks

adrian522

BeepBeep! wrote: »

lol Sorry for spoiling Madrid for you, don't think we will be your typical piss up stag party but I take your point. Yeah, looking for a good way to tell them they aren't going to Barcelona, a bit better than just saying we are heading to Madrid and not Barcelona.
All we are after are good tapas bars and good weather and maybe a bit of sightseeing so I think it'll be right down our street. We are staying just off Peurto del Sol. I hear Malasana is a good area, have you any experience of it? Cheers or the reply!

Not familar with Malsana but pretty much anywhere you go will have good Tapas bars. As I said La Latina is a good area for tapas (it's a stop on the Metro).

When I was there there was a huge outdoor party with temporary beer stands and music setup along there but that was just dumb luck I think.

schemingbohemia

A good spot for you to go to would be Casa Mingo - it's a Cider Hall, lots of long tables so good for a gang. Also in May the weather should be lovely and they have nice outdoor area.

http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g187514-d697480-Reviews-Casa_Mingo-Madrid.html

Madrid is a great city, to be honest I wouldn't try and fool the lads about where you're going, you're putting a lot of pressure on yourself to arrange everything. If everyone knows where they're going they can help in finding out about places to go, things to do etc

If you're interested in catching a match, remember that Rayo Vallecano are Madrid based so could be a cheaper/easier way of catching a match if they're at home and it's tricky getting tickets to Atletico or (puta) Real.

NewCorkLad

Get the groom a Real Madrid jersey and give it to him on the bus, you can play dumb for a while, like you got the wrong jersey.

Evenstevens

It's a great city beautiful to look around and a lot going on culture wise. Food is great and drinks etc very reasonable.

I'd highly recommend the hot chocolate and churros combination to you but am thinking might not quite hit the spot for a 17 strong stag party...

BeepBeep!

Cheers everyone...some great ideas. Like the look of the cider hall, cheers! Good idea for the Madrid top as well, we are heading on the last weekend of la liga so hopefully either of the 2 Madrid teams have a chance of winning the league.

coylemj

Do the stadium tour of the Bernabeu, you can go virtually everywhere except the home dressing room and obviously you can't walk on the pitch. There's usually touts outside selling tickets for upcoming matches - best avoided!