Bodega Ángel Sierra's house vermouth is poured directly from traditional taps and has remained unchanged since 1917. This is the drink that made the vermutería famous across Madrid—locals specifically request the Sierra vermouth at other bars, and it pairs perfectly with their conservas and canapés.
Tips from diners
Order the vermouth with olives — it's the classic combination that defines Madrid's aperitivo hour (1-2 PM).
Stand at the bar rather than sitting — the standing-room-only tradition is part of the charm and keeps prices down.
Complimentary bowls of olives and pickled eggplant from Almagro (a town famous for its guindillas and pickled produce) are placed on the bar as soon as you order. The eggplant is tangy and slightly bitter, a common sight in vermutería across Madrid.
Tips from diners
The olives and eggplant arrive complimentary with drinks — don't be shy about refilling them as you order another round.
These simple but classic montados are built on thin bread slices topped with jamón serrano, chorizo, queso manchego, or salted anchovies with tomato. They're assembled to order and designed to be consumed in one or two bites while standing at the bar with a glass of vermouth.
Tips from diners
Ask for the combination plate that pairs anchovies with tomato (anchoas con tomate) — it's the house version of a classic.
A Basque classic that Bodega Ángel Sierra has made part of its core conserva offering. The gildas are assembled with a sweet pickled guindilla pepper, a tinned anchovy, and a large green olive—a spicy-salty-umami punch designed to extend the vermouth hour.
Tips from diners
Order the gildas if you like a sharp kick with your vermouth — they're spicier than most conservas but not overwhelming.
Bodega Ángel Sierra serves traditional Spanish conservas—tinned mussels, tuna escabeche, anchovies, and cockles—sourced from premium Spanish producers. The mussels conserva is the most popular, quickly assembled onto canapé bread and served cold as the perfect vermouth companion.
Tips from diners
Order a mix plate of conservas (mejillones, anchoas, ventresca) to try multiple styles with one vermouth.
Founded in 1908 by Felipe and renamed Bodega Ángel Sierra in 1917 when owner Ángel Sierra took over, this iconic vermutería has served generations of Madrid locals from its spot on Plaza de Chueca. The house vermouth on tap is officially recognized as the best in Madrid, drawn from Reus. Decorated with Seville tiles and Cuban wood barrels, it's a living museum of Madrid's aperitivo culture.
Arrive between 1-2 PM on Saturday or Sunday for the peak aperitivo hour — the bar is packed with locals but the energy is electric.
Standing room only, no seating — this is a standing bar experience, quintessentially Madrid. Come for a glass and conserva, not a sit-down meal.
It's a pre-lunch or pre-dinner spot, not a full restaurant. Most locals pop in for 20-30 minutes before moving on to dinner.
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