Always a great spot in my opinion. I love that it’s right in the center, but tourists are limited by their specific menu and no photo policy. Remember that they’re cash only. I love this place even more now that they have a little cat keeping everyone in the bar company.

It's quirky. It's dark. It's on a great odd alley in one of Madrid's most fashionable and eclectic districts (The Ritz, 4 Seasons and Hermes within a couple blocks, with the incomparable Plaza Santa Ana right up Calle del Prado). It's tiny, maybe 30 feet of bar, and gets crowded after 9pm - when lots a younger people frequent the place. I came back the next day at 3ish and it was my speed -- lots of open bar and mezzanine seating. The wines -- Jerez -- are all sherry; 5 or six available, and are very light to darker, complex versions. "Copas" run 2-3 euros -- this is NOT someplace out to gouge a tourist. Perfunctory, efficient service along with a decent selection of like priced meat/cheese tapas (or raciones) compliment the barebones but evocative ambience. It's, uh, def old-school, and so am I. NO photos inside - don't Instagram to this place! It deserves to be discovered on the fly or by the Hemingway buff paying homage to Papa. Be polite, respectful and enjoy entering a time portal that harkens one back to 1930s Espana when revolution was in the air and republicans met here to strategize. This a decades-old no photo policy. Keep it real. Put your ear-buds in, drink some interesting sherries, and que - up The Clash's Spanish Bombs. Everything will then make sense...

What do you get when you cross wine bar + dive bar + Spain's best sherry? This place! A must-visit on your trip to Madrid. I would have pictures... but they don't let you take them. Takes away form the rustic charm I guess? For 2-3 euros a glass, you can sample the best rom Jerez - wine unlike anything you've had before.

This has just become my favourite bar in the world. There are a few negative reviews from people, we read ahead of time. Let me share the 3 rules of this bar so that you don’t get the same “rudeness” for breaking them as the other rude people who came before & left bad reviews: 1) NO photography. This is very obviously sign posted around, however the reason is to do with its history as a 1930’s socialist bar where plans were made to over throw the governing body. 2) Don’t tip. This plays into the old history of being a socialist bar. 3) Don’t spit on the floor. This is obvious. Don’t be disrespectful. Do these three things & regardless of foreign origin, everyone is welcomed. Great bar & a must visit for anyone who enjoys a drink & history

Seems to have lost its soul a bit. Looks very authentic, but is then sadly full of Instagram croud & tourists. When we visited on a Saturday night it did not have any typical spanish buzz although it was completely full. Friendly staff behind the bar but could hardly make it to the counter due to the croud.

The rather humourless bartender begrudgingly helped us purchase a fino and a manzanilla, both of which initially tasted brutal. In time I warmed to the fino, embracing its earthy charms (I normally go for sweet sherries). It’s clear from the reviews that La Venencia, despite being historic and absolutely fascinating, isn’t necessarily looking for the tourist Euro (no photos are allowed inside for example) - this sparks a debate for which there is no real solution. My view would be that courtesy and friendliness should be standard, tourist or not, and if this place is only for locals then make it members only - easily done. That said - a highlight of our visit to Madrid quite frankly and though it may not be what they want I’d recommend it highly. Unique, brusque, machismo…old fashioned Spain at its best.

World class. Don’t come here if you don’t want, or even know what sherry is. And don’t be a tourist idiot — try and speak Spanish. Service is excellent. Tapas are perfect. Sherry is divine.

Writing a Google review for this place is ironic in and of itself, as La Venencia probably doesn’t care about their reviews. This is a place that seems true to its roots, and eating here was an experience. We came in here thinking we were going to get some tapas and drinks. This restaurant is over 100 years old and upholds its traditions with delicious cured meats, cheese, and exquisite sherry wine. Former reviews mention indifference or lack of service from waiter towards tourists, which cannot be further from our experience. Our waiter was attentive and helpful. If you want an authentic experience, this is the place for you. Bring cash, credit card machine wasn’t working.

This is a sherry bar so don't expect a lot of other options - on the menu they have just a few types of sherry and some tapas. And this is perfectly fine. Even if you're not a sherry aficionado it's worth visiting for the sake of experience - this place is like a time machine which will transport you 100 years back in time. The ultra shabby interior, smell of an attic of your alcoholic grandfather permeating the space, even the wooden barrels and vintage cash register all contribute to this one-of-a-kind adventure. I haven't tried their tapas, but sherry is tasty and affordable (2€ per glass).

Most authentic place I've been in a while. Crazy Jerez and super kind staff. Feels like in between a museum and a bar. Good as hell.

Every Sherry lover, history lover, and lover of just a fantastic place to have a drink and tapas with friends must go here. Bring cash. Don’t take photos. Enjoy.

I'm struggling to find a better example of a bar that I want to be in than this one. It's dark. The service is gruff. There are no photo signs everywhere. But the vermouth and cecina and almonds and the olives that taste like they're still marinading are worth it.

We were refused water as we didn't drink alcohol. It was a baking hot day and we had walked for 15 minutes to get there. I was interested in the history and willing to pay for water / food. I didn't know you cannot stay unless you purchase alcohol, and the staff came across very condescending when I was trying to discuss it. Probably not an issue for most people, but sadly didn't work out for us.

In truth, sherry isn't really my tipple, but this was a great experience. The tapas were simple, delicious and fairly priced. I tried the fino and the mon......something or another...which I thoroughly enjoyed. Top decor!

The opportunity to taste excellent sherry straight from the cask in a no frills environment. A must visit for anybody who wants to explore sherry as it should be.

This place is an acquired taste. The history makes it sound cool, but the reality for us was pretty terrible. They only serve off-brand sherry, it’s dusty, eerily quiet, and the staff was extremely rude. We left within five minutes without even finishing our drinks because it was that uncomfortable and the sherry sucked. Would not recommend, there are plenty of other tavernas in Madrid with history that are actually enjoyable to be in.

A very traditional bar with absolutely fantastic sherry - I had the Manzanilla Fino and it tasted of the Atlantic Ocean. They have casks that they decant into bottles and then serve you. Additionally, the whole reeks of old Spain, has peeling walls, century old posters, hand ‘grindy’ cash registers but so lovely for it.

Really nice typical Spanish bar, but don’t expect a big menu. Must try in Madrid

Totally stumbled upon this by random and what a great surprise. Hole in the wall with a simple drink and tapas menu that was to die for. Super cool decor. Good vibes. Complete gem. And super affordable!

Very cool but full of some fairly lame tourists(big Hemingway or Sherry nerds) who might detract from the experience. Definitely worth a visit all the same. The drinks are great.

They are world famous for their sherry, so that's what you come for. They have some sweet, "vino dulce" offerings, but you'll have to ask for them.

We’re fans of Jerez wines, and absolutely loved the authenticity, the honesty, quality of the experience. Fun staff and great prices. A must when in Madrid!

Good: this is obviously an authentic place, no concessions made to mass tourism, admittedly unique. Bad: staff does not seem to like foreigners, even if they speak Spanish. We were made to feel quite unwelcome (for no reason really)

One of the best cocktail experiences ever! I loved the realness of this place. And our great downstairs waiter Gabriel introduced to great sherry after great sherry. I need to have my own reserved table here!!

Nice space, mediocre service and wine. But it is worth visiting to see this historic bar.

Excellent drinks and food. Great service.

A legendary sherry bar and still one of the best kept secrets of Madrid. The interior hasn't changed in 70 years, the orders are still chalked up on the bar counter, the Campo Real olives are as tasty as ever, the varieties of sherry dry as ever (tasting choices range from Manzanilla to Oloroso). I only missed the friendly black house cat which has gone on the sherry bar in the sky.

As a tourist in Madrid, going into this bar is everything I wanted. Authentic atmosphere, a look that hasn’t changed in years, and only local people in it. This is actually a sherry bar, don’t come looking for a beer or coke. Wonderful, simple tapas. Make sure order small portions if you are not sure what you are ordering :-). You might not like the hueva for example, these dried fish eggs. But in fact it’s all delicious. Can’t recommend enough.

This place truly suited me. It feels like walking back in time. The sherry wine is strong and pleasant, the tapas delicious and the decor decayed brimming with history. Just soak it all up and remember no photos.

A traditional bar specialising in sherry. Worth a visit for the history of the place even if you don't drink sherry. Order by the (half) bottle if you're in a group.

I didn't know there were bars exclusively for sherry wines. This is one. Very authentic and non pretentious, however the wine was very good and cheap

As someone who has never tried sherry before, I loved it! It's off the beaten path and you can tell that locals frequent it. Sherry is very affordably priced. The bartender keeps track of what you drink by writing on the bar and you pay at the end. I loved the amontillado sherry!

One of the most special bars you will visit in the world. The bar is attended with love and pride, and for good reasons. Go in with respect to the history and craft, you will be in for an experience and come out with an appreciation for jerez. Respect the effort to keep the authenticity and the atmosphere, aka no photos.

One of the most unique wine bars you'll ever go to! Love this place for a chill glass of wine with friends

Like a step back in time, this bar is full of old wood and stone, posters from 1940s wine festivals, and covered in dusty long forgotten bottles. We aren’t sherry drinkers, but the ambiance is more than worth a visit.

Fantastic, authentic and historical Sherry bar, where they served fantastic tapa and great quality sherry direct from the casks behind the bar. A Madrid stalwart that has maintained its character and ambiance. A must try even if your not a Sherry lover.

Staff/owner are rude and clearly don't want tourists here. The bartender wasn't able to provide recommendations and was very dismissive when asked even in Spanish. I now know I don't like Sherry and won't be back! Lots of places in Madrid that aren't pretentious to go. When we were leaving, another group was leaving who took a picture from the outside and the bartender yelled "no photos".

Authentic and genuine. Love sherry having visited Jerez de la Frontera and Cadiz. We stumbled across this place during our visit to Madrid and it was a great find. If you’re in the area definitely worth a visit. Serves Sherry only.

The place has an amazing vibe and ambiance. The bar specializes in sherry, but they have other options of course. The service was solid. The cellar (downstairs) is better.

If you want to see traditional historic Madrid, this is where you go. It’s a literal blast to the past as you walk through the doors, with ancient posters and alcohol bottles on the bar collecting dust. The sherry is served from elsewhere though, and that’s the real star. The bartenders are sufficiently pleasant although don’t expect much if you don’t speak Spanish. Sherry itself is very delicious and definitely of good quality. Very affordable indulgence.