The historic venue on Grafal Street, a tribute to Pérez-Reverte and a meeting point for the boards of Real Madrid and Atlético, reopens after a month of vacation.
The Captain Alatriste Tavern, one of the most literary and football-related corners of the capital, reopened its doors on August 3 after being closed for a month for vacation. The establishment, located on Grafal Street next to Cava Baja, resumes its activity during the San Cayetano festivities, just before the celebrations of San Lorenzo and La Paloma.
The tavern was established in late 2006 by the hosteler Félix Colomo, who is also responsible for La Posada de la Villa and Las Cuevas de Luis Candelas, as a tribute to the writer Arturo Pérez-Reverte and the universe of his character Diego Alatriste, the swordsman created in 1996.
The tavern occupies a 16th-century palace in the heart of Madrid de los Austrias, beneath which there are centuries-old caves built with materials from the ancient Arab wall. Its rooms, with stone and brick walls, wooden beams, iron lamps, and swords, evoke an inn from the Golden Age, featuring pieces like walnut wood reclaimed from a Segovian castle.
At the bar, there is a recreation of The Surrender of Breda by Velázquez, with Viggo Mortensen dressed as Alatriste, the character he portrayed in the 2006 film. The menu follows a traditional line with torreznos, callos, migas de la Lebrijana, morcilla skewers, croquettes, roast suckling pig, beef loin, oxtail, and the Captain's chop, as well as grilled meats and fish. The star dessert is the Flanders cake, and the wine cellar boasts over 100 wine references.
The venue is frequented by Arturo Pérez-Reverte when he is in Madrid and has been the setting for institutional lunches between the boards of Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid before some derbies, as noted by the Atlético club itself. It has also hosted meetings related to European matches.
With the reopening, locals and visitors can once again enjoy a space that combines gastronomy, history, and football in the heart of the city centre. The tavern opens at its usual meal and dinner times, ideal for those wanting to immerse themselves in the most traditional Madrid during the festivities.
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