CAFE & RESTAURANT

LA PECERA DEL CIRCULO DE BELLAS ARTES

C/ Alcalá, 42

28014 Madrid

Information on  Restaurant La Pecera del Círculo de Bellas Artes

The Círculo de Bellas Artes (CBA) is one of the most important private cultural centres in Europe, characterised by its  open attitude towards outstanding innovative artistic trends. It is a multidisciplinary centre with activities ranging from visual art to literature, from science and philosophy to film and the performing arts.

The CBA was founded i n 1880 thanks to the efforts of a small group of artists. It is a private, non-profit cultural institution, officially declared a ‘Centre for the Protection of the Fine Arts and of Public Interest’. During the early years of the 20th century, its important cultural figures of the period such as Jacinto Benavente, Carlos Arniches and Ramón María del Valle-Inclán, frequented its rooms. The young Picasso attended painting classes here.

Among the outstanding characteristics of the CBA is the roof, from which one can have one of the finest views of the city of Madrid and the café La Pecera, in the floor. Anyone who loves culture and art will enjoy calling in at this café. The décor is classic with fitting details (lots of gold), traditional tables and chairs, some comfortable armchairs, high ceilings, large lamps, vast windows... The establishment is reminiscent of a large fish tank, hence the fact that regular customers have nicknamed it La Pecera (the Fish Tank, in Spanish).