100 Years of History
Bar Cock: The Cradle of Cocktails in Madrid and an Icon of the Malasaña Neighborhood
In 1921, Emilio Saracho and Perico Chicote embarked on a journey from Madrid to London with the mission of sourcing authentic furniture to recreate the atmosphere of a genuine English club. Unknowingly, they were crafting something far more significant: a space that would become not just a bar but a museum of Madrid’s stories and legends. During that trip, they selected original English pieces that, combined with elements like high ceilings, a grand fireplace, and fresh flowers, gave Bar Cock its unique and enduring identity. Situated in an elegant mansion on Calle de la Reina, this bar became a refuge for thinkers, poets, and politicians during an era marked by instability and the tensions leading up to the Spanish Civil War.
An Origin with History: The Birth of Cocktails in Madrid
When Saracho and Chicote brought English furniture to Madrid to decorate the Cock, they laid the groundwork for cocktails in Madrid. In a small mansion on Calle de la Reina, very close to the vibrant Malasaña neighbourhood, they created a space where lovers of classic cocktails would find a unique refuge. With high ceilings, an imposing fireplace and traditional decorations, this bar quickly became a meeting place for poets, intellectuals and politicians looking for a space to exchange ideas and philosophize.
The Refuge of Artists and Writers in the Golden Age of Cocktails
During the 1920s and 1930s, the Cock Bar was the scene of the most intense debates and discussions. This emblematic Madrid bar welcomed figures such as Miguel Mihura, Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí, who frequented its rooms in search of inspiration. Here, surrounded by an authentic English atmosphere, political, artistic and social theories were discussed, making the Cock a reference point for the intellectual and bohemian life of Madrid.
A New Era: Perico Chicote and the Glamour of Classic Cocktails
After the Civil War, in 1945, Perico Chicote took over the Cock, beginning a new era in Madrid's cocktail scene. During his tenure, the Cock was a pioneer in offering classic and exclusive cocktails in Madrid. Chicote maintained the literary spirit of the bar, but also brought it to the international stage: figures such as Eisenhower, John Wayne, Hemingway and Dominguín made the Cock their meeting point in the city. The 1950s and 1960s were golden times for the Cock, which established itself as one of the most famous bars in the Malasaña neighbourhood, attracting Hollywood and the European aristocracy.
The Renaissance of the Cock Bar: A Cocktail Icon in the Malasaña Neighborhood
In 1985, the Cock passed into the hands of Teresa Nieto, José Astiárraga and Patricia Ferrer, who knew how to preserve Chicote's legacy while adapting the bar to the new times. Since then, every year the Cock holds a party after ARCO, Madrid's contemporary art fair, attracting international artists, gallery owners and collectors. This event has reinforced its status as a benchmark for cocktails in Madrid, where visitors can enjoy classic cocktails in an atmosphere steeped in history and exclusivity.
The Bar Cock Today: A Meeting Place for Classic Cocktail Lovers in Madrid
Personalities such as Harrison Ford, Clive Owen, Susan Sarandon and the Coen brothers, along with Almodóvar, have all passed through this bar, where privacy and the charm of yesteryear remain intact. With its privileged location near Malasaña, the Cock not only preserves the privacy of its visitors, but prides itself on being a place without photographs or intrusions: only those who have been here know the stories that are housed within its walls.
"Cock is more than just a final search for the soul, it is the soul's last spiritual refuge"
Jorge Berlanga