Venue Detail
Sala Equis
About this venue
Sala Equis is a former cinema turned café-bar and cultural venue in central Madrid, with screenings, drinks and a courtyard-like social room. It is a good date, conversation or culture stop for queer visitors who want something calmer than a club. Check the official programme for films, talks and current opening before going.
Practical details
Address: Calle del Duque de Alba 4, 28012 Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 2:00 PM – 1:00 AM, Friday: 2:00 PM – 2:00 AM, Saturday: 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM, Sunday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Canonical: https://www.queeratlas.app/es/madrid/venues/sala-equis--376
Venue intelligence
Know before you go
Typical queue
For a film, arrive 20–30 minutes before the listed start; the bar itself is usually walk-in, but terrace tables and a popular screening can mean 10–20 minutes. It is a ticket desk and drinks queue, not a nightclub door.
Best night
Thursday or Friday around 20:00 works best: take a drink in the old cinema's Plaza, then choose the screening or DJ programme. Weekend afternoon is the softer option for food and conversation before the later crowd.
Locals vs visitors
Film people, design-minded locals, dates, Madrid visitors and queer guests share the former porn-cinema space. It has a courtyard-like entrance, low tables, informal food and a genuine cultural programme; come here to talk as much as to watch.
Dress code in practice
Come in everyday Madrid clothes—denim, trainers, a knit or a date-night shirt are all right. Bring a layer for the terrace and wear something you can sink into on low seating; this is a cinema-bar, not a dress-to-impress club.
Staff inclusion
Sala Equis is a mixed cultural venue, not a queer-only room. Its strength is the relaxed public setting and staff-managed screening/bar format; it does not advertise a specialised LGBTQ+ conduct policy. Tell the team at the bar or ticket desk directly if you need help.
Reviews
3.0 / 5
1 review