Ištar, also written ISTAR, takes its name from the Babylonian goddess of love and life, and the club runs with it: a mystical setting, hypnotic rhythms and the idea that every night is a ritual. Its motto is We are all made of stars. It sits at Serrano, 41, on the Golden Mile of the Salamanca district, and you head downstairs to reach it: the club is below Nômadâ, a restaurant serving international and Mediterranean food, with a terrace and ochre and terracotta décor inspired by a desert tent, which encourages diners to head down to the dance floor after dessert.

Both are part of Galería Serrano, the nightlife complex at numbers 41 and 43. Ištar's spirit gave rise to Los Amantes, its more intimate and melodic neighbour at number 43. It is an adults-only club, with international DJs every week and tables booked on WhatsApp. It can also be hired for private events and brand launches.

Which night to go

Open Tuesday to Saturday, and some Sundays with Sundays at Istar. Tuesday and Wednesday, 23:59 to 05:00, usually belong to outside promoters such as AVÖ or Nuitblanche and Pryzm. Thursday closes at 05:30. Friday and Saturday run from 23:59 to 06:00; Saturday is Saturdays at Istar, and Friday is the night with the strictest age rule at the door.

The music

House and, above all, Afro house, with hypnotic rhythms and live performances on some nights. The DJ list on its website includes Damian Lazarus, Andrea Oliva, Enoo Napa, Meloko, Kasango, Mambo Brothers, Camilo Franco and Alan Dixon, among others.

Getting there

Serrano (line 4) is the nearest metro, about a 5-minute walk. By day, buses 5, 14 and 45 pass about 350 metres away, and the 27 stops at Colón. To get home late, night buses N1, N23, N24, N25 and N26 stop less than 200 metres away at Castellana-Ministerio Interior, and the N4 stops at Velázquez-Ortega y Gasset.

Address: Calle de Serrano, 41, Recoletos (Salamanca), 28001 MadridOpen in Google Maps
Metro: Serrano5 min walk
Music: Chart & commercial
Dress code: Smart casual
Age: 18+

Dress code and door

Smart dress is expected. The minimum age is 18 from Tuesday to Thursday, but on Fridays the door asks for 23 for men and 21 for women. If you want a table, book it on WhatsApp before the night.