Neighborhood
Chueca
in Madrid, Spain
The central gay district with bars, clubs, cafés and Pride history.
Where it is
Chueca lies in the Centro district, north of the Gran Vía and east of Malasaña, centred on the square and metro station of the same name.
Address: Chueca, 28004 Madrid
What it is
Chueca is Madrid's queer heart: bars, cafés, clubs and shops cluster around the Plaza de Chueca and Plaza de Pedro Zerolo. Each summer it launches MADO, one of the world's largest Pride celebrations, drawing millions. Now smart and gentrified, the neighbourhood remains the community's living meeting point.
History
In the 1970s and 80s the area was marked by drugs and decay; low rents drew the LGBTQ community emerging in post-Franco Spain, who renovated buildings and opened venues. Chueca became the heart of Madrid Pride in 1989, and in 1993 Berkana, Spain's first major queer bookshop, opened here.