Discothèque Club

L'Eixample, Barcelona –

Even by Barcelona’s notoriously nocturnal standards, Discothèque fills up late – its young and fashion-conscious clients don’t even think about showing up before 2am, and it could be nearer to 4am before the party reaches full swing.

From the street, club-goers step directly into the main room, a world of flashing lights and projected visuals that combine with pounding house and techno to create an intense, hedonistic atmosphere.

The energy is clearly focused on the spirited dance floor where the DJ whips the crowd into a frenzy of movement, while dancers in revealing fetish gear – including some rather colorful transsexuals – perform on the podiums.

On the far side of the main room, separated from the dance floor by a velvet rope, is the VIP area – a good place to rest up for those lucky enough to gain entrance. But if getting into the private room proves too much of a challenge and the incessant house music begins to grate, it’s easy to simply slip behind the glass screen at the back and into The Apartment.

The relatively relaxed vibe of Discothèque’s second room provides a hip-shaking mix of reggae, R&B, pop, and salsa that makes for better mingling.

Regardless of where patrons choose to hang out, one thing is certain: there is nothing subtle about the drag queens, podium dancers, and hot-and-sweaty action in this dance-til-dawn club, and all combine to create a fabulous over-the-top experience.