Intercambios and English Activities Madrid-Style

This post is being dedicated to all of my past, present and future English students here in Madrid.

Also to many of my Spanish friends and other people who I know who are always saying how they need to practice their English.

Well, in Madrid there are TONS of activities and places where you can do just that.

The “Guiri” (or Foreigner) Community in Madrid is very large and we LOVE to plan and organize events that let us do the things we loved doing back at home. Something to get us out of our little circle. Something to mix up our typical tapas/disco dancing/dar una vuelta around the city day to day activities here in Spain.

If you are looking for just a good ole ‘Intercambio de Idiomas’ (or Language Exchange) check out these places:

Mondays

• Moore’s Irish Pub (Metros: Tribunal, Bilbao)@9pm/21h

Tuesdays

• Carmencita Bar (Metro: Noviciado) @9pm/21h – the night is called ‘Cañas and Conversation’
• The Irish Rover (Metro: Santiago Bernabeu) @7:30pm/19:30h – the night is called ‘Multilingual Networking Tuesdays’ and is put on by my dear friend Jennifer Riggens (https://twitter.com/jkriggins)
• O’Neill’s  (Metro: Sol) @10pm/22h—this one is put on by ‘Multilinkual‘

Wednesdays

• J&J’s Books and Coffee (Metro: Noviciado) @8pm/20h
• Cafe Madrid (Metro: Opera)@9:30pm/21:30h
• Maibar (Metro: Alonso Martinez) @10pm/22h—this one is put on by Vaughn Systems
• Cafe Galdos (Metro: Sevilla) @8:30pm/20:30h—this one is put on by MadridBabel
• Chester Lounge Madrid (Metro: Arguelles) @10pm/22h

Thursdays

• J&J’s Books and Coffee (Metro: Noviciado) @8pm/20h
• Cafe Madrid (Metro: Opera) @9:30pm/21:30h
• Beer Station (Metro: Santo Domingo) @10pm/22h—this one is put on by ‘Multilinkual‘
• Downtown Madrid (Metros: Tribunal or Alonso Martinez) @6pm/18h

Fridays

• Cafe Madrid (Metro: Opera)@9:30pm/21:30h
• Cachibola Pub (Metros:Sol or Tirso de Molina—in the Plaza Jacinto Benavente to the right of the Yelmo Ideal Cine) @10pm/22h—this one is put on by ‘Multilinkual‘ and the intercambio is after the Movie Night (see below—Extra English Activities)

Saturdays

• Molly Malone’s (Metro: Bilbao) @9:30pm/21:30h

Sundays

• The James Joyce Irish Pub (Metros: Banco de Espana or Retiro) @7pm/19h
• The Irish Rover (Metro: Santiago Bernabeu) @7:30pm/19:30pm
• Cafe Galdos (Metro: Sevilla) @7pm/19h—this one is put on by MadridBabel
• Marca Sports Bar (Metros: Gran Via or Tribunal) @7pm/19h—this one is put on by ‘Multilinkual‘

(FYI: Weds.,Thurs. and Sunday nights have maaaaaaaaany options!!! So I’d say in general try a few out and see which ones you like. Intercambios are sometimes a gamble. Just try as many as you can!)

In General the Top Intercambio Groups..as in professional Intercambios are the ones listed below. When you go ask for these people and they are the organizers of these Intercambios and can help you meet new people (especially for those who decide to go solo to these events.)

• MadridBabel—Ask for Francisco Rodríguez Veiga
• Multilinkual—Ask for David Poza
• International Madrid — Ask for Antoine (their schedule is a bit irregular so stay updated by checking out their Facebook Page – International Madrid)
• CafeTandem—I’m not sure who to ask for exactly, but maybe shoot them an email before you go!

Extra English Activities

• MMDDMM (Madrid Menu del Dia Martes Madness) – a great group of Expats and Spaniards who try out different Menu del Dias in bars around Madrid every Tuesday. Check them out! (Lord knows, I’ve had a BLAST!) http://englishwarehouse.wordpress.com/category/madrid-menu-del-dia-martes-madness/
• Hiking in the Communidad de Madrid —Go hiking and get out of the city for a bit and meet an Amazing Group of Foreigners and Spaniards!!!! (Love These Guys Too!!!) http://www.hikingmadrid.com/
• Friday Movie Night and Intercambio with Multilinkual—They go and see movies in V.O (Original Version) at the Cine Yelmo Ideal in the Plaza Jacinto Benavente usually seeing films at 19h/19:30h and then afterwards they have their intercambio. A great group and a great time!
  
• Multilinkual International Dinners — 15 euros and it gets you a great time with great food and a great group of people. Lot’s of greats! Check out their site for dates and locations.
• Quiz Night at J&J’s Books and Coffee on Fridays—-Starts at 11pm/23h but I’d say get there early cause space can be tight cause it’s so popular. 4 different themes and 32 questions….hmmm, have you got what it takes???
• Anti-Karaoke Madrid —- See my previous post! —->http://laguirihabla.com/2012/01/29/best-weds-night-of-the-month-anti-karaoke-madrid/
• JaJaHa! English Comedy in Madrid — a Hilarious group of Improv and Standup Comedians who have shows every month at Beer Station and El Bar de Yllana. They are also known as ‘Freshly Squeezed Comedy‘. It’s always best to book your tickets on Atrapalo.com first cause a) it’s cheaper and b) cause their shows get packed!!!

Of course there are TONS of places in Madrid but these are some of the ones that I know or have personally been to.

If anyone has anything new to tell me about, or make any corrections to the info I’ve given above….please email me or comment on this page! Thanks!

Here are some other links to check out for more info on all of the above in English or Spanish!

• http://madrilicious.com/intercambios-madrid/
• http://www.english-area.com/indice/donde.htm
• http://unbuendiaenmadrid.com/2012/03/08/practica-tu-ingles-gratis-y-conoce-gente-nueva-en-madrid/?lang=en
• http://www.esmadrid.com/es/portal.do?IDM=61&NM=3&TR=C&IDR=1574

Get out there….meet new people, get out of your shell and have a damn good time!!!! (And of course practice your English! ;-))

Love,

La Guiri