Gay Bars in Madrid: Cool

Going to Cool on a Royal night (Saturdays only) is like a descent into a foggy combination of gay heaven and hell where anonymity rules and the word du jour is ‘awe.’

Cool is one of the best places in Madrid for a big discotheque experience.  Enormous and nearly nude male dancers execute disturbing pelvic thrusts and unseemly hip rolls.  Think of a young Elvis, but if he were a porn star.  (In Cool there was a live sex show performed by the talent of that particular celluloid world just last year.)

The entrance to the discotheque- part 2001: A Space Odyssey, part Milton Bradley- is an all-white winding ramp with domino sculptures adorning the walls.  While it is- in theory- good for waiting in line (presumably you can come out of the elements), don’t expect to be actually spend most of your time waiting here, since the line usually extends far outdoors to the middle of the extra-long block.  Cool is a multi-level experience, with one more-intimate bar space, packed with beautiful people and lots of cool lights, and another enormous dance hall that can be observed from behind the plate-glass windows of this first small room. On the main dance floor provocative go-gos perched atop large platforms strut like muscle-bound birds of prey.  This, combined with the lighting and video screens throughout Cool, makes it the most aesthetically pleasing club around.

Royal’s website (http://www.fsmgroup.es/productosymarcas/royalclub) defines what resident DJs David Berna and Javier Rodríguez play as ‘house’ but don’t fret; it’s not what you’re thinking.  I have definitely heard the likes of Madonna and Rhianna here.

And what about for meeting people?  While it’s not alienating like other spaces can be, Sala Cool’s noise level and size are not exactly conducive to engaging someone in conversation. The attendees are attractive and numerous, making the potential hook-up chances great (who really needs to talk to hook up?) if you can get that gorgeous guy away from his group of friends. In fact, go with your own large group of friends since otherwise you might feel lost (and have nowhere to retreat if your attempts at flirting fail).

Prepare to shell out 12 euros for entrance and a copa if you haven’t been given a flyer.  Admission with a drink included will run you 10 euros if you’ve got a flyer in hand.

Cool

Isabel la Cátolica 6

Metro: Santo Domingo

Every Saturday from 12 to 6AM.

917 333 505

By Allen Ribblett

To go to the main Music Venues and Clubs page click here