La Paloma, Europe’s Oldest Nightclub, To Reopen With Full Program After 16 Years
Barcelona’s La Paloma, the oldest nightclub in Europe, will reopen next week with a full fall program for the first time in 16 years.
Following a gradual 18-month soft opening that began in April 2023, the historic ballroom and 1,000-capacity venue in the city’s El Raval neighborhood shared its fall schedule on social media yesterday alongside the caption, “WE ARE BACK.”
La Paloma, which first opened in 1903, was forced to close in 2007 after having its license suspended due to a large influx of noise complaints from neighbors. Owner Mercè March would go on to win a lawsuit against Barcelona’s city council alleging that the club’s closure was unjust.
Kicking off on Thursday, September 19 with a show from German-based progressive house artist Fantastic Man, the underground house and techno hotspot’s September bill features Dutch house selector Antal, a live performance from venerated American producer Machinedrum, and a B2B from Danilo Plessow’s MODE and Hugo LX, among others. Local parties Mainline Club and Loco Bongo will continue their residencies at the club.
In October, La Paloma will host sets from electro trailblazer Egyptian Lover and house artists like Luke Una, Mr. Bongo, Ruby Savage, and Chico Blanco, as well as takeovers from Spanish events series Odd Club and Glove Party.
Turning up the heat in November, the club is slated for open-to-close performances from Detroit icon Theo Parrish, London-based Rhythm Section founder Bradley Zero, and the Toy Tonics label crew.
Pioneering UK rave DJ Nightmares On Wax and synthpop favorites Hot Chip will also play DJ sets at La Paloma in November as the club shifts to its winter “tardeo” schedule, with opening hours from 7:30PM to 2AM. Local collectives Poly Ritmo Club and Jokoo Collective will also join the fold during the final month of fall. Check out the full schedule below.
Originally built as a bronze foundry in the mid-1800s, La Paloma was converted to a dance hall at the turn of the century and operated for 104 years before closing. Its baroque-style interior, featuring red and gold accents, painted ceiling murals, and both lower dancefloor and balcony levels, has been meticulously maintained since 1919.
For more information, visit lapaloma.com.
Featured image from La Paloma. Credit: Adriano Vannini.