LIVE MUSIC IN MADRID

Fun House

By Sam Graboys
Photos: S. Graboys

Fun House, near Quevedo, is a bar and music venue with great live acts nearly every night. It is among the best places to tap into the Madrid music scene, consistently booking high quality, highly varied artists. I have found new garage-punk favorites (France’s Cathedrale), as well as great reggae, blues, and rock shows — all at good prices with good people.

With a capacity just over 100 concert-goers, Fun House does a great job of bringing talented Spanish and international acts into an intimate space. Equally impressive as the quality lineup is the sound quality each night, regardless of genre. The sound engineers here can switch from the early jazz set to the late punk act while mixing you a drink.

While I love the French and Spanish bands that come through regularly, Fun House is also a great place to find smaller American acts touring Europe, such as Portland pop punk artist Kurt Baker who played a few weeks ago. While they book DJs less often, their selection is always on point, with names like Doctor DOOM coming through last month.

Though every night is different, Fun House is one of the few music salas in the city that promises a good show whether or not you know the performers.

The quality amplification equipment and the open setup yields a clean sound for each group I have seen perform. Such versatility often proves difficult even for larger theaters, and gives Fun House an advantage over most other spots.

With proximity to great restaurants and other bars in Arapiles, I try to end as many nights as I can by catching a show at Fun House. If you have been searching for live music or just something to do with your nights in Madrid, Fun House is sure to live up to its name.

FUN HOUSE
Calle de Palafox, 8
28010 Madrid

–