Walking through the most traditional streets of Madrid, such as the neighborhood of Las Letras, Lavapiés or La Latina, it is possible to find places that attract attention because they are old taverns with red facades. Doors and windows painted in intense tones are a trademark of the Spanish capital, referring to the most traditional establishments. Although you might think that there is no apparent reason for them to be decorated this way, there is definitely a reason why these century-old bars are “red.”
The origin of this custom of painting taverns red dates back to the 19th century, when many Madrid taverns sold wine in bulk from Valdepeñasone of the most important wine-growing areas in the entire country. To make it clear that they offered the star product red winedecided to paint the facades this dark red color as a visual attraction at a time when neon signs or other more impressive types of advertising did not exist. Thus, with a red facade, they made it clear to their potential customers that it Homemade dishes were served accompanied by good wine.
Besides its symbolic value, it also had a practical function, since iron oxide paints were durable, economical and weather resistantthus, in addition to being eye-catching, they helped to protect the wood of the facades. His tone ended up establishing itself as a popular seal of authenticity.
A sign of the most traditional Madrid
Over time, the color red became a characteristic of the most traditional Madridand although the years have passed, certain century-old establishments like Venice either Alberto House They have kept this color on their facades, thus maintaining a chromatic tradition so characteristic of Madrid hospitality.
In fact, the new taverns that seek to recreate the atmosphere of yesteryear try to use this color for their facades to try to refer to that nostalgia of that era in which these types of establishments became real meeting points between neighbors, where they talked about various subjects while They tasted the best wines.
Thus, finding the color red on the doors and windows of Madrid taverns today is much more than a simple decorative choice, but rather a nod to the past and a tribute to wine which has been decisive in the evolution of the sector.
Today there are still more than a dozen taverns that maintain the red color on their facades and that, in addition to selling wine, also sell many other products. Among the best known are Casa Alberto and La Venencia, as well as The Old King of Wines, the Ardosa Cellar or the Los Caracoles Brewery.
However, it is curious that the oldest tavern in Madrid, the Tavern Antonio Sánchez, does not have this characteristic color on its facade. Founded in 1787, it continues to serve its traditional cuisine and drinks at 13 Mesón de Paredes Street in the Lavapiés neighborhood. This establishment was a meeting place for intellectuals in the 20th century and was also for several years service of the Royal Household.
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