La Taberna Antonio Sánchez is the oldest tavern in Madrid. The exact date of its foundation is not known but it is known to be prior to February 1787 when it was published in the Diario Curioso, Erudito, Económico y Comercial that it was transferred as a wine business. The cadastral plan, carried out in 1749 under the reign of Philip VI, shows that the current building remains the same and that the space occupied by the tavern in it has not changed. A tavern with almost 250 years of history in which to enjoy the best traditional Spanish cuisine
In the 19th century, it acquired fame and prominence, becoming a meeting place for gatherings of people and intellectuals from the world of bullfighting, literature and art. In 1884 it was bought by Antonio Sánchez Ruiz, the son of well-known tavern keepers and from whom it receives its current name. His son, the bullfighter Antonio Sánchez Ugarte, inherited the tavern, making it a reference point in Madrid and a regular meeting place for personalities such as Pío Baroja, Sorolla, Marañón, Camba, Cossio, Juan Cristóbal Vázquez Díaz and Antonio Díaz Cañabate, hosting the last exhibition of the famous painter Ignacio Zuloaga, of whom Antonio Sánchez was a great friend and student.
The decoration of the tavern stands out for its antiquity, making it a real museum. It has never been renovated, so it maintains intact as no other friezes and carved wooden decorations, gas lamps with which the premises were illuminated, the manual elevator of jars and frescoes with the faces of Frascuelo, Lagartijo and cara Ancha, famous bullfighters who in the 19th century often came to drink more than one glass of wine with their torrija. Also original are the heads of the bulls of the alternatives of Vicente Pastor in 1902 and Antonio Sanchez in 1922.
The writer and journalist Antonio Díaz Cañabate dedicated his book Historia de una Taberna to describe the history of this place. Camilo José Cela includes it in his book Torerías and the poet Gloria Fuertes frequented the place and wrote her stories and poems there.
His menu is devoted to traditional Spanish and Madrid home cooking. Famous are his dishes of oxtail, Madrid stew, gypsy pot and Madrid-style tripe. They also have vegetarian proposals, and as interesting data, you can ask for food to go and pets are allowed.
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