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Campus Corner: Raise a Glass, Catch the Game, Watch Madrid Shine 🏈✨

Marina Maeso - Wednesday, April 8
 Campus Corner 

Welcome back to The Campus Corner! Every two weeks, we bring you closer to the people behind your program—not just as your experience team but as locals who love sharing the best of Madrid. We want to build a more personal connection with you and help make Madrid feel like home.

In each edition, you’ll find our favorite spots, from hidden cafes to campus must-visits. Whether you're looking for a brunch spot or just curious about what we love around the city, we hope our picks add something special to your day.

Let’s keep exploring together—enjoy this edition and we'll see you in the next one! Guiño

Meet Iván

Hi all! I am Iván and I am the MSMC Associate Director. I lived my first 26 years in Seville, then a full decade in London and now I have been in Madrid (and at IE) for 8 years – I guess that means I am still in my thirties 😊

Connect with me on LinkedIn

Any hobbies? 
Possibly, the thing I like the most in life is people – they are just the greatest fun! Also, I enjoy culture in most of its forms (films, music, exhibitions), love my tennis (watching and playing) and love my cat (watching and playing and hugging her)

What's your favourite place in Madrid and why?
My favourite place in Madrid is Vista Alegre Estate, a place declared a Historical Garden and a Site of Cultural Interest. It brings me peace of mind.

The last film you went to see?
You can find me regularly at the cinema, and at the Spanish Filmoteca, which is a very charming building where they play old classic films, which I am very keen on.
Although it was not the last film I watched on a big screen, I had the pleasure of rewatching “The Executioner”, one of my favourite films ever.

A book that you would recommend?
Although one of the toughest ones I have read in recent years, I have to recommend “Temporada de huracanes” by Fernanda Melchor. It is a raw, intense plunge into violence, poverty, and superstition in rural Mexico, told with a feverish and hypnotic prose. Honestly, it’s a brutal read—  and absolutely unforgettable!

Favourite quote?
“Tell him yes. Even if you are dying of fear, even if you are sorry later, because whatever you do, you will be sorry all the rest of your life if you say no.” (Gabriel García Márquez, Love in the Time of Cholera)

J&J Books & Coffee 📚✨

Tucked away in Malasaña, in this charming cave of wonders you will find English-language books, comfort food aka buttery bagels and cinnamon rolls, paired with craft brews or natural wines if you’re feeling fancy.

It's part bookstore, part café, part community hub. It is a great spot to meet new people, both expats, locals... all curious wanderers. And yes, their Instagram game is seriously on point.

Wines, Words & Weekend Vibes 🍷🫶🏽

This month, Root's long table fills up with no-pressure wine tastings, visiting winemakers... and even a specialty coffee cupping or two. There's always a seat (and a toast) waiting for wine newbies and for tasting pros alike.
Come solo or bring your whole crew! Find your plan here

✨ Highlights:
🎸 Nov 14 – Bizarria Wines presenting his unfiltered wines
🛸 Nov 15 & 28 – Choose-your-own-wine-flight nights
🤓 Nov 21 – Anti-snob wine workshop (learn to put words to what you taste)
🍷 Nov 22 – Trying new wines, aka not your typical Rioja
☕ Nov 29 (morning) – Cupping with @kopikrate

Basque Yourself in Cheesecake 🧀🔥

Move over, brownies! Bascake just arrived in Chamberí, and it's rewriting Madrid’s dessert scene one creamy slice at a time. Baked slow with three cheeses (including a world champ) and topped with rotating monthly flavors like pistachio, Oreo, or chestnut praline, this is no ordinary post-class treat.

Grab a slice, split a mini tarta with a friend, or pre-order a full one to sweeten your next study group. Who needs the sea when you've got this kind of melt?

🎮 Reality? Overrated

Take your next study break into space, into zombie-infested mansions, or… right back to Madrid (but with aliens).
Virtual Zone’s VR playground in Tetuán lets you roam free: no cables, just 45 minutes of pure immersion with your crew. Book a night slot, bring your game face, and get ready to duck, dive, and defeat.

🕹️ Best group reset after a long day of lectures.

Your picks, your city🔥: Sip with Stadium Views ⚽

This week’s top student recommendation is in:

"I love the Mahou bar inside the Bernabéu. It's not expensive, and it's a way to see the Bernabéu without paying."

Honestly? Genius. For all football fans or just stadium-curious, this hidden-in-plain-sight bar gives you serious pitch-side vibes without the ticket price.

We’ve also heard great things about the Starbucks inside: pumpkin spice latte in hand, relaxed seat, Bernabéu views on tap. Can’t complain.

Your Carné Joven 💸🧳

If you're under 31, this is your golden ticket to discounts across Spain and beyond. Cheaper train tickets and museum entries, deals on gyms, hotels, cinemas and more. It’s the student life upgrade you didn’t know you needed!

The best part? You can sign up in person at the Moncloa youth office with just your ID/NIE and proof of address. The card is valid across 30+ European countries.

📍 Oficina Joven de la Comunidad de Madrid, Estación de Moncloa
🗓️ Open weekdays, no appointment needed
🔗 carnetjovenmadrid.com

✨ Let There Be Lights

On November 22, Madrid flips the switch and the city turns into a twinkling wonderland. This year's inauguration will take place in Cibeles. Be there early if you're joining, it gets crowded!
From Gran Vía to Retiro, every street gets dressed up in its sparkly best, perfect for golden-hour strolls and late-night selfies.

🎄 Hot tip: Start at Plaza de España and wander. Magic guaranteed! Add churros and what else could you ask for, the best way to ring in the season!

Danceyunos: Tarot, Tiramisu & a Tiny Morning Rave ☕🔮🕺

Skip the hangover, this Sunday morning party is all about specialty coffee, cosmic vibes, and good taste (literally). For just €12, you get a breakfast lineup that includes specialty coffee, Caribbean empanadas, Merisu's tiramisu, functional drinks, and a tarot reading if you're early! And a Japanese vintage clothes shop on the first floor. 
The DJs bring the groove, the vintage pop-ups bring the drip. It’s brunch, but better.

📍 Brutta Concept
🗓️ Nov 16, 11:00–14:00

🍔 Burger Battle!

Heads‑up, burger lovers! the The Champions Burger is blazing into Madrid from 5 to 23 November. 
Expect more than 30 gourmet food trucks, wild burger combos (brioche with pistachio donuts!), and a FLAVOR show where you pick the winner.

It’s the perfect study‑break plan: gather your crew and find your burger champion🔥

Campus Bites 😋: Marea Restaurante

Who says you need a seafront view for standout paella? At Marea Restaurante, just steps from campus, the seafood sings, even in landlocked Madrid. Their menú del día serves up Mediterranean freshness with dishes like grilled hake, seasonal salads, and yes, a paella that earns its spot on your camera roll AND your palate.

You'll find sun‑drenched flavors, minimal fuss, and a calm, airy space that feels like the coast came to campus. Affordable, elegant, and never boring.

🏈 Touchdown, Madrid!

On November 16, the NFL takes over the Santiago Bernabéu for the first-ever regular-season game in Spain! Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Commanders, plus a halftime show by Daddy Yankee and Bizarrap. Yes, really.

📍 Santiago Bernabéu
🕒 Kick-off: 15:30
🎟️ Tickets available now (clear bag policy in place!)

Even if you’ve never watched American football, this one’s about the vibes: fan zones, epic entertainment, and a historic sports moment in the heart of Madrid.

The Other French Revolution

Skip the full brunch, but don’t skip this. At Maison Brûlée you’ll find pastry art that channels the spirit of Cédric Grolet, creme brûlée croissants, pistachio cheesecakes, and brownies with personality.
Think of it as your budget‑friendly ticket to pâtisserie chic. 🥐✨

🎬 Lights, Camera, Pride!

Get ready: LesGaiCineMad (now known as QueerCineMad) is lighting up Madrid with its bold celebration of queer cinema. Since 1996 this amazing festival has showcased over 3,000 films from LGBTQIA+ perspectives and grown into one of Spain’s major cultural events.

📍 Where: Various venues across Madrid
📅 When: Dates vary, keep an eye on the schedule.
🎥 Why go: From queer comedies to serious docs and experimental shorts. There are film screenings, talks with filmmakers, surprise showings and tons of energy.

Turkey Day in Madrid🦃🥯

Missing home‑style Thanksgiving? Mazál Bagels brings it to Madrid with a twist, NY‑style bagels meet the full turkey feast. At their Chamberí and Ópera spots, you’ll find a fixed‑price menu packed with turkey, stuffing (yes, bagel stuffing), mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and more. 

Plus: take‑away options from the comfort of your flat in case thanksgiving is shared with a side of textbooks this year. 

🩰 Swan Lake, Reimagined

From November 19–22, the iconic Swan Lake lands at Madrid’s Royal Theater... but not as you know it. In this bold new version by choreographer Matthew Bourne, the swans are men, the drama is dialed up, and the storytelling is electric.
✨ Expect elegance, edge, and standing ovations.
📍 Teatro Real
🗓️ Shows: Nov 19–21 at 19:00 | Nov 22 at 12:30 & 18:00

📢 A call to YOU! 📢

Madrid is full of amazing spots, and you've just arrived... so tell us what you've found! 😉 Whether it’s your go-to café for studying, the best late-night bites, or a hidden gem for weekend brunch, we want to hear about it!

💬 Drop your favorite places by pressing the button below and tell us why you love them! We’d love to showcase student-recommended spots—because the best places deserve to be discovered and shared! 🔥

Thank you for spending a little time with us!
We hope these recommendations add a spark of inspiration to your week. Now it’s your turn – pause for a moment and reflect on your day.

Whether it’s a “10” kind of day or one that could use a little lift, remember that tomorrow is a fresh start. We’re here to help make your time on and off-campus feel like home, so don’t hesitate to share your thoughts or tips with us, too.

If you're having a rough day, here is a cat video to try and make your day a tad better. Ojos de sonrisa 

Until next time,  
⭐ Your Campus Corner Team ⭐

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