At number 18 Calle de Echegaray, there is a passageway not shown on any map. Behind the counter of an old liquor store hides a secret door that leads to a bar that completely changes its theme every year.
Here, every 365 days, a new country takes over, and after immersing itself in Mexico, India, Colombia, and Brazil, Calle 365 now becomes a piece of Puerto Rico in the heart of the Barrio de las Letras.
This alley transforms completely once you cross the door, which has been dyed magenta for the occasion. The entrance resembles an old liquor store because when the group Rosi La Loca acquired this venue in 2021 -formerly the location of the Sol y Sombra bar- they discovered that in the Huertas area and on Calle del Prado, there were many liquor stores selling bulk liquors, and they decided to pay tribute to these old businesses.
Upon entering, Calle 365 transforms into the Mirador de San Felipe del Morro, inspired by the San Juan fortress -the capital of Puerto Rico- and a graffiti pays homage to La Perla, the city's most emblematic urban art neighborhood.
The club is filled with high tables with windows reminiscent of the colorful houses of the island and also features a food truck serving the tripleta, one of the country's most popular snacks with three types of meat and cheese. Additionally, the bar boasts a rum bar as a tribute to the sugar cane tradition and rum.
"We are captivated by Puerto Rico. Our marketing team traveled to the country and found that it not only has the current musical trend but also has wonderful beaches, street parties with good vibes, and a gastronomic proposal that we could replicate in Madrid. In fact, it will be the partner country of Fitur for 2027," stated Minerva Tapial, the CEO of the Group, which also owns restaurants like Rosi La Loca, Bestial, Chic, Inclán Brutal Bar, Boom Boom Ciao, and the Lovo cocktail bar.
The cultural exchange goes beyond gastronomy, with a weekly program full of activities to experience the Puerto Rican spirit: salsa classes will be held on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. with a specialized instructor; language exchange on Wednesdays with piña coladas to loosen up; Thursdays are dedicated to dancing and karaoke, and Sundays will feature live music with congas.
The activities are free, and you only need to pay the ¤15 entrance fee, which includes a drink. The drink menu is also dedicated to the Latin country, with cocktails like La Parguera, dedicated to one of the country's most famous bays, or Bomba y Plena, inspired by two musical styles.
Additionally, the company allocates 1% of sales to cooperation projects in the countries they collaborate with and, for example, has funded an initiative to educate vulnerable girls in India through the Cienvidas Foundation.
The bar is themed this year in Puerto Rico.E. M.