In the very heart of Madrid, on Cedaceros Street, music is playing once again after years of silence. The iconic building, which once housed the Bogart cinema, now welcomes guests as Babylon Club Madrid—a new venue dedicated to jazz and Afro-American rhythms. A place once filled with silence and dust has once again become a hub for lovers of live music and urban culture.
Babylon Club Madrid has opened just steps away from the famous Puerta del Sol. Organizers promise that the club will become one of the capital’s main music centers. The space has been completely transformed: it now features modern design, carefully crafted acoustics, and an ambiance where past meets present. Already in December, the stage will host stars such as Iván “Melón” Lewis, Avishai Cohen, and Chano Domínguez.
A story of historical transformation
The building on Cedaceros has been known since 1907, when Salón Madrid was first opened here. Over more than a century, it has served as a theater, a women’s social club for ‘señoritas-raquetistas,’ a cinema, a cabaret, and even a venue for original-language films. Its history has been far from simple: periods of prosperity have alternated with decline, several reconstructions have taken place, and it has even faced forced closures and legal disputes.
The building’s architecture creates a unique atmosphere: it is designed in the regionalist style, with entrances on Calle Cedaceros and Calle Los Madrazo (Los Madrazo). Inside, there were once old gold-colored leather armchairs, Talavera tiles, and marble staircases. In 1982, the Bogart cinema opened here and operated until the early 2000s. In recent years, the building stood empty, and in 2006, it became the site of a major protest against development: more than a hundred activists occupied it for a week.
Music and atmosphere
Today, Babylon Club Madrid breathes new life into the building, but with a fresh identity. Here you’ll hear not only jazz but also funk, soul, blues, and even flamenco-jazz. Among the first performers are Pedro Ojesto, Cuban Jazz Syndicate, Ariel Bringuez, Yuley Díaz, and a special Bebo Valdés tribute by Cucurucho Valdés and Javier Colina.
The club’s upper hall, known as the Upper Room, is set to become a new hotspot for nightlife lovers. Here, music, gastronomy, and a contemporary interior—created in collaboration with the Arquitalia architectural studio—come together. The design highlights the building’s historic features while creating a cozy and exclusive ambiance. Concert tickets are already available online and at the club’s box office, with prices starting at 20 euros.
The return of a cultural landmark
The opening of Babylon Club is more than just the launch of a new venue—it’s the revival of one of Madrid’s cultural landmarks. After a long period of neglect, the building is once again open to locals and visitors alike. The club is centrally located, close to major transport hubs: the nearest metro stations are Sol (lines 1, 2, and 3) and Sevilla (line 2), as well as numerous bus routes and BiciMAD city bike stations on Alcalá and Carretas streets.
The organizers have focused not only on the music lineup, but also on preserving the building’s unique spirit. Babylon Club Madrid aims to be a gathering place for everyone who appreciates live music and the atmosphere of old Madrid, while also embracing new ideas and emerging artists. Now, the building at Cedaceros 7 has the chance to once again become part of the city’s history and offer new memories to those just discovering this corner of the capital.
