CHAMBERI. This former movie cinema is now one of the city's hottest clubs. Come early and stay late. Madrid's largest dance floor has DJs spinning disco tunes. Arena also hosts live bands, and movie and music premier parties.

SALAMANCA. With no cover charge, this is a popular dance club with the young professional crowd. Bar Independencia is quaint, charming, and is a two-room disco bar. Patrons enter through a glass door, take a flight of stairs down, and then dance the night away to Top 40 hits and Spanish oldie hits. METRO: Retiro

CENTRO. This multilevel business boasts a ground-storey bar and restaurant area, plus a basement dancefloor that packs in the crowds with old chart hits and Top 40 music. The streetside doors and windows are usually swung open, so that patrons can enjoy their mojitos and ales almost al fresco. METRO: Sol or Sevilla

CHAMARTIN. A tangle of plants and dark brown Venetian blinds add to the sultry mood at this nightspot ­ as does the live Cuban music every night. Despite the dim lighting, the lounge still provides excellent people-watching opportunities. The club serves tapas, beer and wine, and attracts a fairly large business clientele. Meanwhile the restaurant dishes up Cuban favorites like ropa vieja and fried yucca. METRO: Cuzco

CENTRO. El Sol sponsors more than 25 concerts a month, but the fun is just beginning! The atmosphere is lively without succumbing to designer-bar trendiness. Strut your stuff to the funk, hip-hop, and acid jazz that rock this disco club early into the morning. Dancers should plan to stay out all night. METRO: Gran Vía