The history of Casino Gran Via Madrid starts in the 1920s – in April 1924 a new building was inaugurated for the business association Circulo de la Union Mercantil e Industrial de Madrid, later known simply as Gran Via.
Nearby, madrileños and tourists could admire other famous buildings as well, such as Palacio del Conde de Santa Coloma and Nueva Iberia Café. The latter was the meeting place of the “Bilis Club”, a literary society without rules, directive board or address, attended by famous intellectuals such as Leopoldo Alas Clarin, Marcos Zapata, Armando Palacio Valdes or Jose Ortega Munilla. In the following years, more amenities were added to the Gran Via building: a gym, meeting rooms, reading rooms, a restaurant, a great hall, terraces, and renting housing at the superior floor. Almost a century later, in 2010, the building was chosen by the Kings of Spain to celebrate the centennial of Gran Via (the street where the building is located). But let’s get past this otherwise interesting history page and see what Gran Via has to offer today:
Every type of game you’d expect from a casino
At Casino Gran Via you can opt for the following gambling activities: gaming tables, machines, roulette in the the royal hall, Asian Baccarat, Poker, and high limits rooms. Every taste will be satisfied at the Madrid casino, and those who like to be on the cutting edge of technology when it comes to gambling can try the casino’s online gaming platform. The gaming tables here include American roulette, blackjack, poker, midi-Baccarat, and I-Tables. Gaming machines are found in the large central atrium, and those who are keen on this gambling type will find here the most varied and up-to-date gaming machines. However if you prefer an exclusive atmosphere and you want to gamble at a professional level you can try the high limits rooms, specially designed for those who enjoy American roulette and blackjack.
The Poker Room is a must-visit for this casino
Texas Hold’em and Omaha are the two types of poker you can play here. Don’t know how to play these? Read the instructions on the casino’s website and hope that beginner’s luck will help you win for the first time! Make sure you have at least €50 in your pocket, because this is the minimum amount you can bet on. The Poker Room is open every day between 14:00 PM and 06:00 AM.
An excellent dining experience
Casino Gran Via will live up to your expectations when it comes to dining as well. There are four spaces dedicated for those who need a drink or a delicious meal to celebrate their wins:
Circulo Mercantil Restaurant
The main attraction of the Circulo Mercantil Restaurant is the view of Madrid’s main artery. Both seasonal and avant-garde foods are served here and the menu will surprise you. Private parties can be held here as well, and dinner is served between 20:00 PM and 01:00 AM.
Bulle Champagne Bar
Those with exclusivist tastes will be completely satisfied by the fine and distinguished champagne served here, perfectly complemented by caviar, seafood, and oysters.
The GV Corner
Looking for a laid-back experience? Then go no further than the first flour and linger at this lounge area where you can enjoy cocktails and snacks. The place is animated by regular performances and the beautiful décor along with the comfortable armchairs will almost make you forget how time is passing by.
GV Artist´s Bar
This cafeteria is located at the corner of Gran Via and Hortaleza street, and offers its customers a varied menu, including breakfast, lunch, meals, snacks, teas, dinners, and cocktails. The GV Artist´s Bar is open between 10:00 AM and 06:00 AM.
Live music at Casino Gran Via
The management of a successful casino knows that customers don’t come to their gambling establishment just for the games or dining – cultural events are vital if you want to create a loyal base of customers and attract new ones as well. This is why people choosing to spend their evening at Casino Gran Via can enjoy live music performances every day of the week from 23:00 PM. Swing oldies can be heard on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays; jazz tunes take over the casino on Tuesdays; the casino’s band plays on Fridays and Saturdays; and if you want to listen to something traditional, choose Thursday as your night out at Casino Gran Via and you will listen to the best “Flamenquito” performed by master Jose Manuel Montoya.
Private and corporate events at Casino Gran Via
Casino Gran Via provides rooms with natural light and elegant decorations for those who need to instill their events with an air of excellence and quality. A capacity of 300 people is ensured, and events taking place here include business meetings, press conferences, presentations, business dinners, parties, and other social events.
Again a look at the past
Casino Gran Via is securely anchored in contemporaneity with its modern facilities and current games, but it also invites its customers to make a foray in the past. The main rooms of the building host a permanent photography collection, revolving around themes such as Madrid streets in their beginnings, daily Madrid life, views of the Gran Via building, the construction of Gran Via, nightlife, war and political events, Spanish Kings, mythology, and events of the Madrid society. Past is intertwined with present, as every photo includes a QR code, allowing visitors to download information about it.
All things considered, Casino Gran Via is an excellent option if you want to try your hand at gambling and also have a good time for multiple reasons. The casino is easy to reach, which may be very important for tourists – you can get there by train, metro, and bus and Casino Gran Via is located just 20 minutes by car from the Barajas Airport. Otherwise, you’ll find here almost everything you’d expect from a decent casino, along with the architectural and historical value of the building, which makes the entire experience more fascinating and memorable.
