Malasaña captures the spirit of the heroine for which this area is named after. Manuela Malasaña was a young seamstress who, at 17 years old, fell victim to the French troops during the coup d'etait of May 2nd 1808.

Manuela, famous in the area for her youth and friendliness, gave her life for freedom. Reality or legend, the case is that her free spirit preserves the area in each of its pubs.

This area saw the birth of the mythical 'Movida Madrilena'. Malasaña gives another sense to the word 'alternative'. The zone is full of pubs that opened during these historical years. Plaxtico, M&M or Stones were the first pubs to be opened, followed by El Sol and Marquee, La Via Lactea, Penta or Rock-Ola.

Some of the pubs, such as Via Lactea or El Penta, keep their original spirit. The places that have come later keep this alternative and free atmosphere of the streets of Malasaña alive.

Relaxed cafes, venues for live music, multi coloured decoration made out of recycled rubbish, great beer and Spanish music… everything has different sense on the streets of Malasaña.