Sueca, Madrid

This cool, jazzy bar has a bit of a strange name: "La Sueca" literally means "The Swedish Woman" in Spanish. The reason behind the peculiar name is three-fold: one, the joint's logo is a Picasso-esque depiction of a beautiful blond woman; two, the house drink is Absolut vodka (of all flavors and served in a myriad of ways); and three, the robin's-egg-blue and white décor is reminiscent of sleek, modernistic Ikea furniture. Apart from its obvious allusions to the Nordic country, "La Sueca" is just another laid-back joint where good drinks and lulling conversations abound. Soft house music is the final touch that makes this bar more fashionable...and less Swedish. - Michelle Campagna

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