Look alive, people! Spain is one game away from the World Cup semis, and the city is turning into a big, slightly anxious watch party today. On top of that, Mad Cool is taking over Villaverde with one of its strongest lineups in years. And when you need to refuel? Weâve found you spots that actually deliver. Just scroll down.
Last but not least, Episode 2 of The Bubble Podcast is out! We talk about true crime (maybe), how to enjoy this summerâs verbenas, and mistakes foreigners make when moving to Spain.
Happy weekend!
1. âœïž Watch Spain vs. Belgium tonight (and root for La Roja, duh)
Alright, everyone. Spain is through to the World Cup quarter-finals after knocking out Portugal â and now shit is getting real comes a proper test: Belgium. Madrid is turning into a collective living room this evening, and it will be loud and hot. Have a few cold beers ready to calm your anxiety, and if you want the full emotional breakdown experience, skip the sofa and go outside.
Madrid RĂo is again stepping up with giant screens at Puente del Rey, turning the riverbank into an open-air fan zone and adding two massive screens this time, placed right in the center of the bridge, so you can actually see whatâs going on (a nice perk) while being surrounded by thousands of fans.
Bring a flag (ideally a Spanish flag, unless you want to die get booed) and prepare to chant every time Spain gets near the goal.
Not near Madrid RĂo? Youâve still got the usual options: Plaza ColĂłn (our fave!), Ritaâs, Oasiz, and Autocines Madrid are all setting up big screens. If youâre looking for âIâm freaking out, please hug meâ energy, we suggest Plaza ColĂłn or Puente del Rey.
Remember to light up a candle for la virgencita tonight. Weâre getting close.
đ Where: Puente del Rey and Plaza ColĂłn, Madrid
đ When: July 10. Kick-off at 9:00 p.m. (arrive early)
đ Tickets: Free admission
2. đž Mad Cool Festival takes over Madrid
Not into the football madness? Fret now, fellow weirdo⊠Mad Cool (aka Madridâs coolest music festival of the year) is back for its 10th anniversary, and the city turns into a four-day music marathon this week (but letâs be honest, youâre reading this on Friday morning, so this is all about whatâs happening tonight and tomorrow).
Friday is packed with cool artists. Youâve got Twenty One Pilots and Kings of Leon headlining, which already guarantees a packed crowd screaming every lyric like itâs 2013 again. But the real problem? The clashes. Pixies, Halsey, Interpol, even A Perfect Circle â at some point, you will miss something you wanted to see, and you will complain about it later. Consider it part of the experience.
Saturday, though, is when things get even cooler, darker, and more iconic. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are closing the whole thing, and if youâve ever seen him live, you know this is more than just âa concertâ. Add Pulp, The Black Crowes, Kasabian, and David Byrne, and youâve got a lineup that looks great on the âgram.
Mad Cool is known for multiple reasons: the dust, overpriced beers, long walks between stages, and seeing your favorite band at 7:30 p.m. while waiting for someone else.
Pro tips. Wear comfortable shoes, pick your non-negotiables in advance, and accept that everything else is improvisation.
đ Where: Iberdrola Music, Calle Laguna Dalga and Avenida Real de Pinto Villaverde, Madrid
đ When: July 10 & 11
đ Tickets: From âŹ89 (day pass) â still available online
3. đș Meet the artists shaping Madridâs contemporary ceramics scene.
If your mental image of Spanish ceramics is a blue-and-white plate with âMadridâ written across it⊠this is your chance to completely reset it.
For one evening only, Senda CerĂĄmica Studio is opening its doors for a pop-up exhibition that offers a glimpse into Madridâs creative community. Established artists, emerging creators, and students will all be exhibiting together, surrounded by sculptural lighting, contemporary ceramics, flowers, music, and a glass of wine rather than a museum where youâre afraid to breathe too loudly.
Felipe Ponce, the Chilean artist behind Senda CerĂĄmica, presents a collection of lamps and sculptures inspired by the Atacama Desert, weathered minerals, and objects that look as though theyâve been unearthed after centuries underground. His work deliberately embraces cracks, erosion, and imperfection, turning brand-new clay into pieces that already feel full of history.
This is where Madridâs creative community comes together. Alongside Felipeâs work, youâll find paintings by Isabel MoltĂł, a floral installation by Carlos DomĂnguez, bites by chef MarĂa Granda, music from DJ Zalo GĂĄlvez, and sculptures by Senda Studioâs students â architects, designers, creatives, and first-time ceramicists learning to work with clay side by side.
đ· Create. Sip. Connect. An exclusive evening for Friends of The Bubble:
Want to get your hands dirty and explore your creativity? Weâre hosting an exclusive Wine & Ceramics Night for paid subscribers, led by Senda CerĂĄmica founder Felipe Ponce.
Forget copying a bowl from a pottery class. This evening is all about experimenting with clay, exploring your creativity, and meeting other members of The Bubble community over wine and cheese.
If your idea of a perfect Friday isnât a sweaty festival crowd but something a little cooler (literally and culturally), this oneâs for you. Whatever Jazz Band is bringing their proper 1920s jazz energy to Madrid, to remind you of New Orleans, Chicago, smoky bars, and what good music is supposed to sound like.
Before you ask, this isnât a âmodern jazz with a twistâ situation. These guys are fully committed to the classics: Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Johnny Dodds. These guys not only play the kind of music that built everything that came after, but they also recreate it in the same style, same arrangements, and same vibe.
The band is a mix of international musicians based in Madrid, all deep into traditional jazz, with backgrounds in different swing and dixieland projects (which means they know what they are doing). They play trumpet, clarinet, and banjo, which makes them sound like the kind of band that no longer exists (they do).
Oh, and good news: itâs outdoors; itâs free. Donât miss it. Youâll likely go there for 15 minutes and stay there all night.
đ Where: Avenida del Presidente Carmona, 3, Madrid
đ When: July 10, 9 p.m.
đ Tickets: Free
5. đ Las Que Gritan is a play about family therapy and what happens when it goes wrong
Have you managed to polish your Spanish yet? Because honestly, itâs time you started going to a play here. Especially because this one feels a bit too real (but still funny enough to handle). Las que gritan, at Teatro Maravillas, might hit closer to home than youâd like.
The premise is simple. A mother decides to organize a weekend getaway with her three daughters so they can reconnect, talk things through, and, you know, get along. Except it all goes very wrong.
What follows is a full emotional unpacking disguised as a comedy. Old tensions resurface, things that were never said finally come out, and suddenly this wholesome family retreat turns into absolute drama.
The tone jumps all over the place â one minute itâs genuinely funny, the next itâs brutal, then itâs surreal, in an effort to reflect what family dynamics are actually like: messy and unpredictable.
Also worth noting: the cast is stacked, and the staging leans more experimental than your typical commercial comedy, so expect something a bit sharper than your average night at the theater.
This exhibit plays with a very specific tension: Puerto Rico and the U.S. Not in a textbook way, but through irony, symbolism, and a lot of pop culture references that work on multiple levels. Youâll walk in thinking âthis looks coolâ and walk out quietly questioning history, identity, and the concept of cultural influence.
Youâll see plĂĄtanos turned into cultural symbols, reworked Campbellâs soup cans (yes, Goya beans), and even traditional toy horses. Medina calls his style âjĂbaro popâ (basically Caribbean pop art), and he mixes identity, politics, and culture into something that feels light on the surface but isnât really.
Go, wander, think a bit, then grab a drink nearby and keep thinking about what you just saw.
đș What to watch if you are staying in this weekendâŠ
đ„ïž What:Torrente for President (Torrente Presidente) | Movie | 2026
đWhere to watch: Netflix
âWhatâs it about: The sixth installment of a satirical comedy that pokes fun at Spanish social and political stereotypes, featuring parodies of real events and special guest appearances from the political sphere. Torrente is the typical racist, homophobic, misogynist âcuñaoâ who is suddenly tapped by far-right party âNoxâ (lol) to run for office. Hilarity ensures.
Why you should go: Because the morning menu is tight and actually appealing (the Nordic sandwich with salmon and egg is a standout, and the smoothies are legit), while the evening offering goes beyond basic bar food â thereâs brioche de chipirĂłn, and even a 600g entrecĂŽte if youâre going all in.
Bottom line: A rare all-day spot that doesnât feel like a compromise. Come for brunch, stay for drinks, or just pick your side. Either way, it delivers.
Address: Plaza de las Salesas 7, Madrid
âïž Urbano: Where Madridâs coffee snobs actually agree
Whatâs it about: A proper specialty coffee spot that takes its beans seriously, working with high-quality coffees from places like Colombia and Myanmar, and pairing them with homemade pastries from Sucre that are just as much of a draw as the coffee itself.
Why you should go: Because the coffee menu goes beyond your standard latte (cold brews, filter coffee, pistachio cappuccinos if youâre feeling adventurous), and the sweet side delivers â think almond flour orange cakes or dulce de leche + pistachio combos.
If youâre not following us on TikTok yet, youâre missing out. Weâre posting exclusive content with our collaborators across Spain, breaking news updates, and pop culture coverage. Click on the post above and come hang with us!
đ Once again, please remember to share this newsletter with your friends on social media. The more we grow, the more information weâll be able to offer each week.
đš Customize your subscription! You can personalize your Bubble experience so you only get the emails you wantâand never the ones you donât. Click here to learn how.
đș Sponsorship opportunities. Want to get your brand in front of our engaged and influential audience of professionals, creatives, and government workers? Weâre now offering a variety of ways to do so. Click here to book a spot.
