Cine Barceló

Cine Barceló is one of Madrid's most distinctive entertainment buildings – a former cinema on Calle Barceló that gradually transformed into an iconic concert and club venue known today as Teatro Barceló. For anyone exploring Madrid's Chamberí district, it's a landmark that ties together early 20th-century architecture and the city's contemporary nightlife.

When was the building built, and who designed it?

The cinema opened on 20 December 1931, designed by architect Luis Gutiérrez Soto, one of the leading figures of Madrid modernism at the time. When it opened, it was regarded as one of the most advanced screening halls in Europe, praised for its exceptional acoustics and for carefully engineered indirect, graduated lighting – an unusually sophisticated feature for a cinema of that era.

Was it always just a cinema?

Not quite. The original design already included a basement ballroom, connected to the upper cinema hall through a double-height space and surrounded by supporting facilities such as a bar and cloakrooms. The last film was screened here on 4 December 1974. Between 1975 and 1979 the building operated as a theatre, and from 1980 it was converted into a dance hall run by the Pachá nightclub chain.

Who performed or visited here?

Over the decades the venue hosted internationally known figures – among them Andy Warhol, musicians such as Prince and the Rolling Stones, as well as members of European royal families, including Princess Stéphanie of Monaco and Sofía von Habsburg. That history helped turn the building into one of the emblematic addresses of Madrid nightlife at the turn of the 21st century.

What is it called today, and is it still open?

Since 2013 the venue has operated under the name Teatro Barceló, continuing its role as a club and concert space. In 2023 the Community of Madrid declared the building a Bien de Interés Cultural (Asset of Cultural Interest), formally recognising its architectural and historical value for the city.

Where exactly is it located?

The building stands on Calle Barceló, in central Madrid, in a location easily reached on foot or by metro from the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Frequently asked questions

When did Cine Barceló open? On 20 December 1931, designed by architect Luis Gutiérrez Soto.

Is it still a cinema? No – the last film was shown in 1974; since 1980 the building has operated as a dance/club venue.

What is the venue called today? Teatro Barceló, a name it has carried since 2013.

Is the building protected as a heritage site? Yes, in 2023 it was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural by the Community of Madrid.

Who performed or was seen here? Notable names associated with the venue include Andy Warhol, Prince and the Rolling Stones.