A Madrid institution since 1987, El Doble is one of those old-school cervecerías that pulls a seriously good draft beer using the traditional "corto y largo" system — the kind of pour you increasingly have to hunt for in this city. The José Abascal location (their second, opened in 1990) sits on the Ponzano tapas corridor, with its eye-catching tiled facade and a massive bar that fills up fast. The beer is the reason to come; the food and the service are more of a gamble.
One of Madrid's last true cervecerías pouring the traditional corto y largo — the beer is worth it, the service keeps you on your toes.
Go on a weekday afternoon for a relaxed caña — weekends get packed and staff push you to order fast, so avoid peak Ponzano tapas hours if you want to actually enjoy your beer.
Great beer, everything else is a coin toss
El Doble is the kind of place where you go for the beer and tolerate everything else. Founded in 1987 by the Puerto family, this cervecería built its reputation on one thing: pulling a proper Madrid-style draft using the traditional "corto y largo" system, where the beer is poured short and then topped up — a method that's becoming harder to find. The José Abascal location, their second outpost opened in 1990, sits right on the Ponzano tapas strip and has a gorgeous tiled facade that stops you in your tracks. Inside, it's a long bar, old-tavern azulejos, and not much else — and that's fine when the cañas are flowing.
The problem is that the experience doesn't always match the beer quality. Reviews consistently mention rushed service, staff pressuring you to order and consume quickly, and a no-reservation policy that can feel hostile on weekends if you just want a casual drink. Portions of raciones have been described as shrinking over the years, and prices have climbed — tapas runs at around €25 a head aren't unusual. One reviewer summed it up: "a place that years ago had an identity as a great cañeo spot, today is a bar with nothing to offer." That's harsh, but it reflects a real decline in goodwill.
Still, on a good day — a weekday afternoon, not too packed, with a fresh cortado in hand and some decent tapas — you can see why this place has lasted nearly 40 years. The beer really is excellent, and the location is prime for a Ponzano crawl. Just go with realistic expectations: this is a beer stop, not a dining destination, and the staff aren't going to coddle you.