What La Paloma Is Like: The Raval's 1903 Ballroom, Back as a Club
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La Paloma is a historic ballroom at Carrer del Tigre 27, on the edge of the Raval in Barcelona, Spain, open since 1903, closed in 2007 and reopened for good in 2024. Today it hosts concerts and club nights for up to 1,000 people under a gilded ceiling, from house to global sounds.
More than a century of dancing
Its own history page tells the story. La Paloma was founded in 1903 by three friends in a building that had been the Comas foundry, and from 1907 it was run by the Daura family. Under Ramon Daura it became known for order and propriety: during the Franco years an employee nicknamed “la Moral” patrolled the floor to stop couples dancing too close. For generations it was the place to dance mambo, bolero, tango and cha-cha-cha to a live orchestra. It closed in 2007 and, as NME reported, reopened permanently in September 2024 after a phased return, presented as the oldest nightclub in Europe. Its Instagram bio keeps it short: “Des de 1903”.
The room: Versailles in the Raval
The room is the reason to go even if you do not know the DJ. In 1915 the ceiling was painted by Salvador Alarma and Miquel Moragas with scenes of different dance styles, and in 1919 Manuel Mestres redecorated it inspired by the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles: reliefs and gilding, garland mouldings, vanilla walls and stained glass. A raised gallery flanked by two muses held the orchestra, and a huge three-tier chandelier hangs over the floor, surrounded by marble tables. NME calls it a “historic baroque ballroom”. Dancing to a modern DJ under all that is a very different feeling from a black box club.
What is on now
Since the reopening La Paloma mixes concerts and club nights, with jazz and salsa in the mix too. October 2026 shows the range: on Friday 23, a concert by Kelela and, the same night, a club session with the Mexican DJ Coco MarĂa, IZCO and Red Bananna, moving through Brazilian and global sounds; on Friday 30, the Japanese house pioneer Soichi Terada playing La Paloma for the first time; and on Saturday 31, a Halloween night with Kirollus. The autumn programme also includes a jazz festival and Ibeyi. Each event has its own times; when it reopened in 2024 NME reported club nights from 19:30 to 02:00, an early schedule by Barcelona standards.
| La Paloma | |
|---|---|
| Address | Carrer del Tigre 27, 08001 Barcelona |
| Since | 1903 (closed 2007, reopened 2024) |
| Capacity | About 1,000 people (NME) |
| Programme | Concerts, DJ club nights, jazz, salsa |
| Hours | Set by each event |
Age, dress code and getting home
La Paloma does not publish a general minimum age or a dress code; each event sets its own conditions, so check your ticket and bring ID. By Catalan law under-16s can only attend live shows with a parent or guardian, and never club sessions. The ballroom sits between the Raval and Sant Antoni, a short walk from Moog and Les Enfants Brillants if you want to carry on. Going home, the metro runs all night only from Saturday to Sunday; on other nights it closes at midnight (2am on Fridays) and the NitBus takes over every 20 minutes. Ask us on WhatsApp what is on and we will tell you.
Frequently asked questions
How old is La Paloma?
It opened in 1903. It closed in 2007 and reopened permanently in September 2024.
Where is La Paloma?
At Carrer del Tigre 27, 08001 Barcelona, between the Raval and Sant Antoni.
What kind of events does La Paloma host?
Concerts and club nights with DJs, plus jazz and salsa. In October 2026: Kelela, Coco MarĂa, Soichi Terada and a Halloween night.
How many people fit in La Paloma?
About 1,000, according to NME.
Is there a dress code or age limit?
La Paloma does not publish a general one: each event sets its own conditions. Bring ID.
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