The concierge recommended it for pre-dinner cocktails. It was near my hotel, the JW Marriott. It looks like nothing from the outside but inside it is very lively and colorful! The drink menu is so creative it takes a while to decide. Drinks are divided by flavor profiles: fruity, refreshing, etc. with some other creative categories. (Sadly my picture of the table of contents did not come out.) I got an Inspirasion Paloma and it was delicious. We only had one round since we were in our way to dinner. Highly recommend! read more

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So this is another review that has been sitting in my review drafts for, now, about 5 months... so things could have changed. Certainly, with a place like this, all of the specific *drinks* may well have changed, being that they were all so technical, with so many house or freshly made moving parts, i.e. my favorite kind of nerdy cocktail bar. But presumably they're still making drinks as cool as the were a few months ago. They don't take reservations, so we just got there right when they opened, which is the way to do it. There were only a couple other people there right at 4 that day, but within half an hour, it was completely full. (Also yeah, Yelp says they open at 5 PM, but they... definitely open at 4.) Despite being *very* busy, we never had any difficult ordering drinks, nor getting them back quickly, and I ordered a... bunch of drinks (well, with my wife, who despite not normally being a cocktail person, was definitely drinking her share of all of them.) I absolutely loved the detailed descriptions of exactly how each cocktail is made (I learned a new word, enfleurage! In this case, of cardamom through peanut butter), the amount of effort that clearly went *into* all of them (house-made hop distillate, falernum, gin they re-distilled with pickle brine, the enfleurage, to quote, a "labor-intensive perfume extraction process"...), but more importantly, I can't stress enough, all of their cocktails were absolutely *wonderfully* delicious. All quite unique enough to scratch the itch for weird cocktail nerds like me, who don't want to drink classics, but unique concepts no other bar has done - but also all perfectly balanced and quite complex, both the spirit-forward ones (a Vieux Carre with mango chutney and hop extract instead of Benedictine and bitters! A Negroni that's been aged in ex-sherry barrels in a solera system like a sherry!), and the wacky sweet-savory ones (pisco milk punch and fish sauce! Mezcal and ponzu sauce, clarified through Greek yogurt! Citrus, balsamic, fancy honey and pickle gin!) All their drinks absolutely lived up to the hype. I don't know if any of those drinks are still available, but if not, I'm sure equally inventive ones took their place, so either way, I'd definitely make sure to come back if I happened to back in the area instead of halfway across the planet. We didn't get food here, just drinks - but we absolutely took *full* advantage of the complimentary chips being offered. When we discovered how wonderful their (made in-house) chips were, we kept asking for more. We went through a *bunch* of little plates of chips. Especially as they went *particularly* well with all of the cocktails, again, both spirit-forward and interestingly sweet-savory-funky cocktails, paired really well with craft chips. The drinks already made this place a 5/5, but with the free all-you-want craft chips? That's like a 6 out of 5. read more

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Salmon Guru was a nice upscale cocktail bar. Drinks were tasty and presented in unique ways, often with little bites. The menu has nice illustrations and drink descriptions, which I liked. We visited around 9 PM and had to wait ~30 minutes in line. This was mostly bad luck, because I could tell we just missed getting in and there were open seats when we left around 10:30 PM. We had two rounds of drinks. The Oriental Experience (18€) is really three drinks together, served in bowls and with similar consistency, but very different flavors. The flavors were interesting; I'm glad we tried it, but I might not order it again. I had the Stout (14€) which was a blend of sherry, date water, and stout beer. It tasted like it sounds -- a mix of wine and stout beer -- and it reminded me a bit of a chocolate wine I had once. Next time, I would just get a stout beer. Our second round was the Ultramarino and Native Roots (14€ each). They first was not that interesting. It said it "rested in a clay amphora which is submerged in sea water for 72 hours" but this seemed more like a gimmick than anything. The Native Roots was super interesting because it was made with roots, tuber cordial, and potato vodka. I liked it a lot because it was so unique. Service was fine, if a little slow and inattentive. I like that they refilled our chips. read more

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They don't take reservations, so I came in soon after they opened at 4:00 and got a seat at the bar right away. There were plenty of open places to sit for at least an hour or so. The menu is interesting and you need a special light to read it! I was hoping to get food, but they said they didn't serve that until 5:00 which I wasn't aware of. They did bring out yummy free chips and refilled the bowl. The service was attentive. They kept refilling my water and gave me a good cocktail when I described what I was looking for. The decor is cool and interesting. read more

Salmón Gurú - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Madrid, M

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Ranked 37th best bar in the world according to World's 50 Best Bars. Walk in only. Arrived on a weekday during mid afternoon and, while it was busy, there were a couple seats at the bar we were able to snag right away. Atmosphere is very fun, wild, neon-lit. Doesn't take itself too serious and has a really fun illustrated menu. - halili fizz - gin with banana lassi, sichuan peppercorn, green cardamom, flower water, tonic. This drink consists of two cocktails. You receive a mini cocktail while it takes time to make the fizz. Drink is garnished with a little ice cream and is creamy and refreshing. - oriental experience - three mini cocktails. First is rum, sherry, chinese pumpkin. Second is whiskey, oolong tea, cocoa, and palo santo. Third is baijiu, rice water, ginger, tangerine peel, orange blossom honey. Each drink was so distinct but my favorite was the second. read more

Salmon Guru absolutely lives up to the hype. From the moment we walked in, the service was excellent--attentive, friendly, and the dude taking care of us was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. We loved everything we ordered, and it's easy to see why this spot is known for its creative cocktails, bold flavors, and fun, eclectic atmosphere. We went early in the evening and were lucky enough to get seated right away, but as the night goes on, this place gets packed--and for good reason. The energy is amazing, the drinks are unforgettable, and the whole experience feels unique and thoughtfully crafted. A must-visit in Madrid! read more

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A must go every time I'm in Madrid! It's fun, it's whimsical and it's serving absolutely killer cocktails and food. I took my friends here on our first night and they were blown away and asked if we could come back again. GET THE TUNA PEANUT NOODLES. That dish altered all of our brain chemistries. We had to order another even though we were full and definitely didn't need it haha. I have tended to stick to the lighter, fruity drinks and have never been disappointed. Also cannot forget about the delicious chips they serve. They taste kind of like ketchup but 100 times better. They refill your bowl too :) The space is so cooly decorated and the playlist is fire. It's giving Tokyo meets NYC. I love you salmon guru, maybe my favorite cocktail bar of all time read more

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We didn't have a reservation and walked in. It took about 30 minutes to get seated, but the wait was definitely worth it. Salmon Guru is ranked one of the Top 50 bars in the world in 2024, and it absolutely lives up to the recognition. The decor is incredibly creative and immersive, with three themed rooms that each have their own distinct personality. The first room is Spanish-themed, the second has a fun superhero and comic book-inspired American theme, and the third is styled with Asian influences. Each space feels unique and thoughtfully designed. The cocktails were fantastic, not just in flavor, but also in presentation and names. Every drink felt like part of the experience. The overall vibe was lively and fun, with different genres of music playing throughout, adding even more character to the space. If you're into great drinks, imaginative decor, and a playful atmosphere, Salmon Guru is definitely worth checking out. read more

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A fun spot for creative cocktails and drinks. It can get crowded at times, so there may be a small queue at certain hours. The inside is very loud and the lighting is low. They have a very extensive menu with a wide variety of drinks. There are your usual drinks and some that are very unconventional (some include fish sauce, taco seasoning, etc.). There's definitely something for everyone on there and it's worth checking out if you want ti try something out of the ordinary . read more

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What a beautiful cocktail bar in Madrid. I only knew about this place and came because a friend recommended it to me. It's romantically lit with lounge chairs, tables, and a bar. The staff were friendly and spoke English well to help me navigate their menu. For a cocktail, I got their Ultravioleta. It was a beautiful looking cocktail and tasted delicious. I also ordered some food and got the sea bass nigiri, oxtail takoyaki, and patatas bravas. They came tapas style and were all delicious. I especially enjoyed the sea bass nigiri with its wonderful sauce. All quite very tasty though! I also ended up getting another cocktail to try - the Sublime. Another very good and refreshing drink. I really enjoyed my experience here. The staff were great and so were the drinks and food. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a cool cocktail bar! read more

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Really cool cocktail bar in a great location. We went on a Saturday night (early, probably around 10 pm). There was a short line then we were brought inside. They had some really interesting drinks on the menu. I got the tequila al pastor which is kind of like a margarita but it also has the taste of tacos. I enjoyed it. Definitely recommend coming here for a drink or two. read more

Salmón Gurú - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Madrid, M

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Walked in while walking in the area and we did not have to wait. We were taken to a booth area, closest to the back of the bar, and had plenty of room to spread out and chill out for a bit. As we walked in we were able to see what everyone else was ordering and that it was super busy inside. We were given the food and drink menu and was happy to see such a large variety and unique offerings. Everything is made to order here from drinks to food and well worth the wait. Music was banging and service was fast, fun, and friendly. Get your camera out because this spot is selfie picture worthy. With excellent service, a unique menu of drinks and food, and and overall cool neon and modern aesthetic I can see why this place is on a list of best bars in the world. It really is like no other spot I have been to. read more

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This bar is hands down one of the best in Madrid, Spain. The drinks were to perfection as were the bartenders. Tapas and water were immediately brought over to us. Those bartenders really knew what they were doing. Mixing drinks were like an art to them. Ambiance was cool and the vibes were great! A definite must try place for people to try. read more

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Such a fun vibe! So much personality in this small but exciting restaurant. Service was great and the food bites were tasty. It's a great place to grab a few drinks and tapas before dinner of late night. They literally have a book of speciality cocktails - a little confusing but the server helped us pick out the perfect flavors based on our preferences. The food, although small portions were very good - we liked the falafel and empanadas. Would go back! read more

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We were very curious about Salmon Guru. We pulled up in the late afternoon and there wasn't a line but we had to wait about 15 minutes. The vibe is cool and the decor is crazy - so much to take in. I got the feeling this is a place to have a few inventive cocktails and then you go elsewhere. It doesn't feel like a place you park yourself at for the night. The cocktails were extremely creative and tasty. My husband had their Negroni, it came chilled in a silver flask and it had the orange peel wrapped around the stem of the glass. He liked it. I had a crazy drink called the Kakigori. It was very yummy but felt over complicated and too small - I just wanted a big glass of the cocktail because it was sooooo good. It had Gin, Yuzu, Umeshu (Japanese Plum Liquor) and something else and it was sweet and savory and like nothing I have ever had. All in all Salmon Guru was fun and tasty. read more

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Came here earlier in the night so we were seated immediately. Fun decorations and atmosphere. Our server explained everything in English to us which was greatly appreciated. The food that we ordered (empanadas and tuna) was excellent and the drinks were unique and fun. We passed by here another day later in the night and there was a long line so definitely would recommend coming here earlier. A must go establishment in this area! read more

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Super fun spot with creative cocktails and a colorful, vibrant ambience. We really enjoyed the surreal decor and friendly service. Absolutely worth a visit in Madrid! read more

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It was fine, not my favorite. I'm not in a huge rush to come back. They have a good amount of drinks to flip through and a few appetizers. We got the dumplings, tuna, and shrimp. Honestly my favorite though was the chips they give when you order a drink. Service was fine, they were nice and not rude but just a little rough around the edges. There wasn't a wait to sit and it wasn't super busy yet it felt so rushed. The place itself is cute I liked the ambiance, but it's not a place I'm dying to go back to. read more

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Checking the world's 50 best bars list is always a must before heading to a new country. Madrid is home to Salmon Guru- located just off Sol in the center of the city! They don't take reservations and they fill up fast! We arrived just after opening at 6pm and the front section was already full. By 6:30pm, the entire place was full. Salmon Guru has an eclectic setting inspired by Japanese culture. The neon signs and Kanji on the ceiling match the unique flavor profile of the drinks. They have a lot of Asian inspired flavors but also get creative with other flavors as well. My husband had a twist on an old fashion that had a banana flavor. I'm not a whiskey lover but it was so good, I would've ordered it! I tried a fun drink that had a bit of a spicy kick to it from the cayenne pepper but came with two little juices in case you wanted more spice or less! We also got an order of the patatas bravas to go with our drinks. They were equally unique in design but tasty. Drinks here are standard by American cost but much higher than you'll find in Spain. It's worth the splurge for a taste! read more

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I think this place was definitely worth the hype and the wait!!!! We went on a Saturday night and had to wait in line. Once in we were seated at a high top table and the lights, decor and music immediately drew me in. I loved all of it. Expansive drink menu that breaks down each individual drink (which was very interesting). We didn't try any of the food. Service was fast especially for it being so packed. We didn't feel rushed and were able to take our time and enjoy this top 50 bar in 2024! So glad we got to experience this spot on our trip! read more

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Finally made it here. It's worth the hype and wait!! We went on a Friday night and closed the bar down with friends we met while at the bar. Each drink was carefully made and full of dynamic flavors that jump between salty and sweet, rich and aromatic. Prices were certainly on the higher end. But for a very bespoke drink it did feel on par with pricing from similar high end cocktails I've had in Dublin, Hong Kong or London. Service was the only area of the entire experience that was not 5 stars. Our server perhaps seemed overwhelmed by the volume of drinks he was preparing so I understood the kinda rushed nature of our interactions each time but it didn't mKe me feel really welcomed. However, everything else including the fun decorations and vibe were worthy of returning next time in Madrid. read more

Objectively really cool looking spot, we didn't have to wait too long and service was pretty fast. I expected a little more from the food but the drinks were fun, a lot of options. read more

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Definitely one of the best cocktail bars I've been to. The drinks are amazing, the presentation is even better, and the overall vibe inside the bar is fun. You definitely won't have a boring time here. read more

Really cool find and delicious drinks. Playful atmosphere, cute details, and fun music. read more

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Enjoy eclectic, expertly crafted cocktails at Salmon Guru. Last year right before a trip to Mexico City, I discovered the World's 50 Best Bars list and it changed my approach to creating a travel itinerary. I love a well constructed cocktail, so why not plan to enjoy one while on vacation? At the time of writing this review, Salmon Guru sits at #23 but it is numero uno in my book. Where Salmon Guru goes against the current and really shines is their funky ("What the f*ck?") drinks. Our favorite was the Pantera Jackson, which was not just unique, but incredibly tasty. The food is equally appetizing, but expect small portions at above tapas prices. Should I be embarrassed that we stopped by twice -- and almost a third time -- during a short stay at the Spanish capital? I will let you be the judge, dear reader. But whatever you do, make sure you drop in if you are in the neighborhood assuming the line to get in isn't too long! read more

Salmón Gurú - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Madrid, M

My wife and I absolutely loved this modern, trendy cocktail bar in central Madrid, which serves up fun, refreshing drinks like the gin-infused Mano de Dios (Hand of God) and the fruity Tiki Guru. The decor is gorgeous, with low lighting and vibrant colors, and the music was lively without drowning out conversation. The tables are spaced far enough apart for privacy, and our server did a great job keeping the drinks and bites coming. The bar also serves a decent selection of mocktails, and there's also a food menu with tapas and desserts. Salmon Guru is popular, so try to get there early -- we waited about 25 minutes to get in on a Friday night around 10:30, and the queue was a good bit longer when we left an hour later. And while it was definitely pricier than most of the other spots we visited in Madrid, the drinks and the vibe were well worth the upcharge. A fun spot that's highly recommended! read more

This was an amazing find and experience in Madrid. We were looking around to get a small aperitif before walking around and dinner and we found this with amazing reviews. We absolutely loved everything about this place. The drinks, the vibe, the people and the ambiance. Everything was awesome and the service was on point! We ordered a few drinks that were all amazing. There was called Mano de Dios after Maradonna and was a great reflection of Argentinian culture. Also, the one I got was a skull with multiple antidote or ginger and lemon juice that accompanied the drink really well. The food was also great we got the patatas bravas and they were a bit more upscale but tasted amazing! Will definitely be back! read more

Awesome bar with so many fun drinks. They truly care about their recipes and presentation. The vibe is great and filled with energy in here. I don't remember the names our drinks here, but I'll remember this spot for sure and be back! read more

Great vibes, amazing drinks.. really enjoyed ourselves here. The menu is super creative and different. We had a fun time exploring all our options but ultimately went with the waiters recommendations and it was perfect. The drinks take a long time to be served and the bar does get busy, so be prepared to wait. The drinks we had were super light and refreshing, but the alcohol does sneak up on you. Definitely deserving of their spot on the world best bar list! read more

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My fiancé and had spent a few days in Madrid and learned that this was one of the best bars to visit in the world. She showed up shortly after they opened to ensure we could get seating. It was relatively empty when we arrived, but filled up quickly. In interior was electric, not what we anticipated from the exterior. A really energetic and fun vibe. The drinks were so well crafted! It was clear that a lot of time and intention went into the mixing of ingredients, but also the presentation of the drinks. We had a few bites as well, and everything was delicious. One dish was thinly slices of beef, and it was melt in your mouth good. So glad we were able to stop in on our vacation and would definitely recommend it to others. read more

Salmón Gurú - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Madrid, M

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A must-try when in Madrid! Each drink was creative and delicious. The interior is fun and full of energy. Service was a bit inattentive, but I'd love to go back and try the food! read more

#16 of 50 World's Best Bars (2023) No reservations. There's likely a line to get in. When we went there was a short line so we thought it wouldn't be a big wait.. it was still a bit of a wait. Is it worth it? Speaking from the one night I went-- They have an interesting/innovative cocktail list categorized by taste in a laid back atmosphere where people just sat around talking amongst their group of friends while 90's music played. Something to try when you're in Madrid... because it's on a World's Best Bar list. I like the place but the list is what brought me here. read more

Salmón Gurú - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Madrid, M

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LOVE their sister concept, viva Madrid, that I've tried 3 times on my week trip to Madrid and honestly was disappointed with the service and the drink quality at Salmón Gurú. Ordered a classic margarita and it just wasn't balanced and while I understand there is a classic margarita that is custom to the area, viva Madrid was able to make the drink balanced and not crazy tart to accommodate how I like it. Aside from the drink it was just the overall experience of the place. I didn't feel welcomed and it felt super transactional in comparison with viva Madrid that literally made us feel at home and regulars from the very beginning. I think this place could be cute for an IG photo op but as someone that enjoy craft cocktails and an experience with the work behind it, I'm not sure I'd be rushing to come back to this place. read more

Salmón Gurú - Dumplings were just ok - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Madrid, M

This place is fun to go to for the elaborate drinks served in dragons, bears, etc The drinks were expensive for Spain but it was a fun place to check out There was a line when we went on a Tuesday night so I can only imagine the line on the weekends read more

Salmón Gurú - Bar views - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Madrid, M

The wait was 45 minutes on a Monday night at 23:33. It's top 50 bars in the world. So a lot of people visit it. The drinks seems to be Asian inspired. Come visit if you are around and want to try something out of your comfort zone. read more

Salmón Gurú - Inspiracion Paloma, Tequila al Pastro, - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Madrid, M

Definitely think there's more hype around this place online and on social. They don't take reservations so expect to wait on line - it's a fairly small spot, and it's Spain, so they'll never rush you once you're seated. The presentation, website and drinks are beautiful but flavor wise, I wish there was more. My drink actually had jam and a crispy snack to go with it to offset the spice... but I wish the drink itself tasted different. Tasted like a spicy marg with mezcal so hopefully maybe they could have something that tasted as unique as it looks read more

Salmón Gurú - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Madrid, M

Yes yes yes ! Number 16 in the world!!!!!!!!!! This bar is cool! Drinks were cool! Vibe was cool! They had flavors I've never seen put together! They served drinks in a cool way I loved it ! We waited about 30-45 mins to get in but it was worth it! read more

Salmón Gurú - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Madrid, M

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Cool vibe, great shared plates, great drinks. Salmon Guru doesn't accept reservations, it's walk in only (which means you might wait in line anywhere from 5 to 60 minutes) We arrived as a group of 4, on a Saturday, around 7:20pm and got in around 7:45pm. Worth the wait. read more

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My boyfriend and I loved the vibes of this unique cocktail bar! The drinks were nothing but ordinary, but were extremely fun and delicious. read more

Salmón Gurú - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Madrid, M

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amazing cocktails and atmosphere. Easy enough to walk in but we visited earlier on. They have some very unique cocktails, we loved everything we tried but the standouts were: pantera jackson and tequila al pastor. le mano de dios was great but wanted more balsamic flavor. tropical vieux carre was very direct and strong. read more

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