It’s late evening in the hot capital of Spain, where the days are long, and the nights are full of life. Tourists and locals from all corners of the world take to the streets as the sun goes down and the dawn lingers on the horizon. Madrid is famed for its dusk-to-dawn nightlife and the rich offering of entertainment all throughout the city, though for a real taste of tradition, flamenco is the perfect way to enjoy a unique form of art while unwinding after a long day. The promise of true and authentic Spanish culture sits inside a small but elegant tablao–a venue created for flamenco dancing in the 1960s. For only 35 euros ($51), patrons can enjoy an impressionable flamenco show paired with a drink at Essential Flamenco Madrid on Calle de la Cruz in the city’s central district. Below street level, the sweet sound of Spanish music fills a narrow brick room, illuminated by colourful lights of red, blue and green. The sweetness of sangria can be tasted as it is slowly sipped on throughout the 60-minute show, adding to the comfortable atmosphere. All at once, the noise of clapping and cheering from the audience can be heard as the tapping from the dancers grows louder and louder by the minute, accompanied by passionate singing. The sashay of a bold red dress gracefully swirling across the stage is the centre of attention as men in black are strumming a sharp beat on their guitars, full of life and adding to the excitement of the show. The stunning scene is appealing to the eye as each individual is left in awe from the talent of each performer. This is flamenco; a famous form of art in Spanish culture including intimate music and dancing that elicits an array of emotions. Essential Flamenco, a popular spot perfect for casually viewing flamenco performances, is located right in the heart of Madrid where the tablao itself originated from. Essential Flamenco is not a typical tablao curated for tourists, yet still attracts attention from all walks of life. The performance tells a story and is rich with passion from both the artists and audience. “This tablao is different because the owner, Ramiro Figueroa, wanted pure flamenco,” said Juan “El Mistela” Manuel, a dancer and artistic director. “He wanted flamenco in its essence—that kind of raw closeness that you can’t get in the theatre and can only get from live music.” Flamenco shows can be found all across Spain, but in Madrid, Casa Patas is another that specifically stands out from the others. Every tablao is unique, similar to the elegant simplicity of Essential Flamenco, though what makes Casa Patas a notable spot to visit is the separate rooms for dinners and performances. The importance of flamenco extends much further than the showroom at Casa Patas—after the founder of the family-owned restaurant passed away, his two children began a foundation that teaches different aspects of flamenco. Many participants of this program have gone on to become professional flamenco dancers and performers. Flamenco originated from gypsy history, though is embodied in Spanish culture and all across Spain, making it dependent on the location and occasion in which it is celebrated. What most don’t realize is that it also incorporates different styles of music and the inclusion of song and dance that is heavily focused on the importance, meaning and expression of the show. Francisco Abellan Ripoll, managing director at Casa Patas, explains flamenco’s importance as “the sort of art form where you can look at it and enjoy it but not get much out of it, unless you really like it and go out of your way to try and understand it.” Another significant part of the history of flamenco is the origin of the tablao—Madrid is home to the historic Corral de la Moreria—the first and most recognizable tablao in the world, with one of the oldest flamenco performances. The show began in 1956 and features a combination of dinner from a Michelin-starred menu. Flamenco has something for everyone and is surely an unforgettable experience when visiting Madrid.