A photo of Café Central in Madrid, from the venue's official Instagram account.
The music at Café Central is playing its final tunes. Unless there is an unlikely last-minute twist, the iconic Madrid jazz club will have to close in early 2026, falling victim to real estate speculation that has become a constant backdrop in the Spanish capital. Despite efforts by its managers, who are preparing a relocation, the news came as a shock. For many locals, it was yet another sign that Madrid is changing, driven by the ambition to assert itself as a "global city."
Café Central, located since 1982 at number 10 Plaza del Ángel, is an institution. More than 14,500 concerts have been staged there before some 1.3 million spectators. In 2002, the American magazine DownBeat listed it among the world's best jazz clubs – a distinction it has retained ever since.
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