pbmorse description written 4/27/09

""Faded glory"-type place in a neighbourhood with countless similar bars, peopled by a clique of (as it turned out) thoroughly unpleasant locals. The "tio" (uncle) of one of the bar staff - a fat, mannerless individual - unfortunately for us turned up while we had popped in for a quick beer. Amid much backslapping and laughter, aforementioned "uncle" passed wind disgustingly in our direction, making a play of running around lighting matches to presumably try and hide his own stench. When the cocky young barman then charged me 12 euros for four small beers (normal cost in this neighbourhood between 1 and 2 euros per beer), he was a bit startled that I questioned the price in Spanish (we live here and are fluent). "Sorry, but this is Madrid," he brazenly told me. It isn't Madrid, though - it's just another second-rate music bar peopled by undesireables and bettered by many, many other bars in the area. So to sum up, unless you want to run the risk of having a "much-loved" local "character" pass wind in your face, and then pay through the nose (sorry) for the privilege, Viva Madrid is definitely one bar in the centre of Madrid to avoid, at all costs. "

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