I lean up against the piano as the waiter brings another whisky, and I passionately sing along to the tango I’ve just learnt by heart…. “no soy de nadie, no tengo dueño.” I belong to no-one, I have no master… It takes more than two to tango at Toni2, as over eighty tipsy Madrilenians crowd round a twelve-foot piano in one of Madrid’s last true music bars.

The front half of the bar is populated with soft seats gathered in intimate clusters, whilst the back section is a plush red lounge with a seriously grand piano as its centre piece. The pianist sits at the ivory keys, tinkling out the drinking public’s requests, whilst his piano stretches out into an impromptu table for those gathered around. The piano is long enough to lie on, and it’s all I can do to hold myself back from jumping onto the smooth mahogany surface like a sultry lounge room singer.

Anyone can request a song and take to the mike: but this is not karaoke. Toni2 is a rare opportunity to share songs in a bar where everyone knows the words to the same heart break. Carlos Gardel, Serrat and ancient folklorico all find their voice through the man on the street, as the regulars recite their favourite songs and the crowd sings along with spontaneity, generosity and respect.

Toni2 is a Madrid institution where only the music matters. Yes, it might cost you 10 euros for some hard liquor, but the local crowd and three pianists who play non-stop throughout the night are worth their vocal chords in gold. Almodóvar often comes here when the awards ceremonies have ended, but anyone with a taste for the musical sublime can join the unpretentious crowd until six in the morning.

I later find out that the ‘tango’ I’d been reciting with so much heart is actually a horrific pop hit from the eighties; which just goes to show that anything can become beautiful at Toni2.

www.toni2.es

Opening Hours: 9pm-6am