Thursday night at La paloma

Barcelona, as every Spanish town, has hundreds, thousands of bars, pubs and discotheques; it’s a touristic big town, where millions of foreigners come every year to spend a weekend... and, why not, some money. Having this huge amount of places, it might always be difficult to choose where to dance. Well, this is my suggestion, although it is not original at all: La Paloma.
When I told my father I was going to La Paloma he reacted really surprised and a bit disappointed. “La Paloma? Isn’t it a place for old people?” And yes, it is a ballroom. Every evening there is an orchestra called “La gardenia blanca” playing good all-times music: swing, cumbia, cha cha cha... However, that’s not what makes “La paloma” so special.
When the clock shows it’s 2:00, the orchestra leaves, opening the way to a DJ. People change completely and the dance sesion starts. If you like house music, you have to know this disco. There are people from different nationalities, as usual in Barcelona. To get in you have to pay around 10 euros (unless you manage to get a free pass, very common for other bars, but not so much for this one; perhaps they just don’t need it) but it’s worth it.
The place first opened with a different name at the end of the 19th century and took today’s name in 1903. The decoration makes the disco look like a theatre, with all those paintings and nymphs, and the big chandelier which reigns over the dance floor; in fact, part of the decoration was made by the Liceu set designer.



Besides myself and my friends, many famous people have come to La Paloma; the premier party for “All about my mother” took place in this disco; but even before, celebrities as Pablo Picasso where amongst the people who enjoyed spending a Friday’s evening there.



The “silenci” project is also surprising: while you approach the place, some mimes arrive and ask you, holding a finger to their lips, to be quiet, so that the neighbourhood is not too disturbed.
So, don’t hesitate: go to “La Paloma” at Tigre St. 27, in Barcelona.