El Molino

Carrer de Vila i Vilà, 99

El Molino opened its doors at the beginning of the 19th century and is one of the most historic theatres on Avinguda del Paral·lel. Renovated at the beginning of the 21st century and reopened in 2010 in all its former splendour, the characteristic red windmill sails on the facade are lit up each night advertising the show, fun, good food and drinks to anyone wishing to enjoy a different kind of evening’s entertainment.

Fun and shock value

Since 1898 this theatre has been a fixture at the end of Avinguda del Paral·lel, an area that was previously considered to be the Broadway of Barcelona or the Catalan Montmartre due to the number of theatres and concert cafes located there. El Molino has lived through and survived everything, and is now one of the oldest and most important theatres on this celebrated boulevard.

With a tradition of breaking new ground, this theatre has always been appreciated for its ability to escape censure, by creating its own language of double entendre that pushes the boundaries of acceptability.

A name with history

Originally christened La Pajarera Catalana (the Catalan birdcage), it was renamed the Petit Moulin Rouge after being renovated in 1910. In 1929 it got a new, specially made facade and the red windmill sails alluding to its name, which it kept until the end of the Spanish Civil War. With the establishment of the dictatorship, the Franco regime forced the name to be changed to Spanish and the word “rouge” had to be removed because of the political connotations of the colour red. The new Molino continued its run until 1997, when it closed.

Bought by the Catalan group Ociopuro, who began a complete renovation, but keeping the unique facade from 1929, El Molino once again opened its doors in 2010, proud to be what it is. Each evening, just as it has done throughout its long history, it offers music hall, burlesque shows and flamenco dances, as well as being a restaurant and disco.