Opened in 2016, Salmon Guru has helped turn Barrio de las Letras into a must-go neighborhood for cocktail lovers, and upon entering the bar, it’s easy to see why.
With its neon lights and inventive cocktails, Salmon Guru has helped turn Barrio de las Letras into Madrid’s go-to neighborhood for cocktails. Opened in 2016, the bar is pretty much sensory overload from the start, but that’s a good thing. The cocktails are all made to be paired with the inventive, Asian inspired dishes available, making this a one-stop spot for anyone looking for a bright night out in the Spanish capital.
Owner Diego Cabrera tells us…
Please describe Salmon Guru as if you’re explaining the experience of walking through the doors and ordering your first drink.
I am unable to describe in words the experience at Salmon Guru. You have to come, see it, live it, feel it, taste it and smell it, Sii! You need all your senses to experience the madness and passion behind this project.
How would you describe Salmon Guru in a three-word text to a friend that you’re trying to convince to join you?
You must come and try this place, it is indescribable, it is a must in Madrid. Inspiring.
Other than Salmon Guru, what else is happening in the neighborhood that you’re in?
When we opened in Calle Echegaray, in the barrio de las letras (a mythical district of Madrid where great writers such as Cervantes were born), it was a neighborhood of nightclubs and tapas bars for tourists, not the public who fills the area today. Since we opened in 2016, the entire area has changed, and we are very proud to be part of opening the way and today it is the cocktail bar district.
Aside from Happy Hour, when is the best time to get to the bar?
We don’t have a happy hour, any time is a good time to go to Salmon Guru. We have an atmosphere from the time we open at 4 until we close at 2, always accompanied by the right music and lighting, which are two fundamental factors for our atmosphere.
Describe the average drinkers that you serve?
Our clientele is very varied, be it age, gender or nationality. We have tourists who come for the first time, visitors who visit us every time they pass through Madrid, local customers who are very loyal and come very often! What unites them all is their curiosity for the eclectic and their desire to experience a lot.
Please tell us more about your drinks menu.
Our menu is divided into several sections: Fruity. Refreshing, Sweet and Sour, What The Fuck (cocktails that you have to try because their flavours are so crazy you can’t describe them), Strong, Untouchable (the mythical ones from our previous menus that we can’t remove by popular demand and are the most representative) and For Drivers (without alcohol but just as delicious).
What’s your signature drink–or your favorite drink currently on the menu–and why should I order it?
Ultramarino
The cocktail was inspired by the sea. Ultramar is presented in clay amphorae that are preserved under seawater, the salt is filtered by osmosis and gives an umami touch to the cocktail that has as ingredients: gin, mezcal, manzanilla wine, lime cordial and rhubarb syrup.
How much do drinks cost?
About 12€
Is there anything to eat? If so – what’s your favorite dish on the menu?
All our food is designed to be perfectly paired with any of our cocktails, depending on the palate of our customers, but mostly are flavors that we collect through our travels around the world. We focus on new flavors especially Asian, which is our passion.
Examples:
Crispy meagre nigiri cured in ponzu with kimchi and yuzu mayo emulsion, Crispy nori taco of citrus garum-cured
Sea bass with fried cancha and sriracha hollandaise sauce or Dried ramen with miso butter, roasted
Pork jowl in master stock and butano kakuni sauce
What are the distinguishing features of Salmon Guru?
Eclécticos, curiosos, alegres y aventureros.
What’s that music we hear playing on the Salmon Guru stereo?
Music is like an ingredient in our cocktails, it is what determines the mood of our customers and our staff. We choose our playlist very carefully with the newest songs and the great classics; rock, hip hop, rap, electronic, and mambo, among others.
Hours:
Sunday to Thursday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.
Reservations:
Walk-ins are welcome and no reservations are taken. There’s a maximum of six people per party.
Website:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/salmonguru
Address:
Calle de Echegaray, 21, Centro, 28014 Madrid, Spain
