Torremolinos is a fundamental place in the history of the LGTBIQ+ community in Spain. In 1962, in what is known as Pasaje Begoña, next to the busy La Nogalera Square, the first gay-friendly bar in the country was founded: Tony’s Bar. This occurred at a time when international tourism was achieving the unthinkable: opening up a Spain that was still in the throes of Francoism.
Torremolinos is also intimately associated with one of the people whose authenticity, tenacity and courage have done the most for the visibility and acceptance of the LGTBIQ+ world: the businesswoman and trans artist Manolita Chen. She was one of the first people in Spain to change her gender on her national identity card. She was also the first of her status to be recognised as an adoptive mother. As a tribute to her struggle, today one of the Torremolinos passages has her name, painted in the colours of the transgender flag.
The fact is that, since the 1960s and despite the repression, especially during the great raid in 1971, the LGTBIQ+ community in Torremolinos has experienced many ups and downs. However, it has never lost its reputation as the capital of diversity in Andalusia. Much of the responsibility for this lies with the businesses that are concentrated in Pasaje Begoña, an alleyway that bustles with activity from dusk until dawn. There is also Bajondillo Beach, where there is an atmosphere of great freedom and disinhibition.
- LGTBIQ+ tourism in Torremolinos, among bars and beach clubs
- Torremolinos Pride, when the summer kicks off
- Events and festivals for all tastes and occasions
- LGTBIQ+ entertainment areas beyond La Nogalera
LGTBIQ+ tourism in Torremolinos, among bars and beach clubs
The advent of LGTBIQ+ tourism in Torremolinos more or less coincides with the massive arrival of visitors from all walks of life who, from the late 1950s and early 1960s, chose this coastal town as their holiday destination. Since the opening of Tony’s Bar at Pasaje Begoña, the leisure offer for this type of public in the town has not stopped growing.
Today, the premises of that small urban space have been extended to form an authentic ‘gay neighbourhood’ in the area around La Nogalera. Tony’s Bar, which disappeared in the 1970s, has been taken over by such popular places as Lights Bar, Baloo Bar Lounge, Eden Night Club, Aqua Club, Men’s Bar, Parthenon, Eagle, Cuero Cruising Club, Bunker (sex club) and the veteran Pourquoi Pas? And there are many more.
Although it is true that the LGTBIQ+ scene in Torremolinos reaches its peak during the tourist season (from Easter to September), it is no less true that many of the gay-friendly venues remain open for most of the year.
Nevertheless, summer suits this coastal town very well. This is the time when the ‘beach’ businesses focused on this community are most attractive. The best example is Eden Beach Club at Bajondillo Beach. It is also the time when two of the best parties take place. On the one hand, Torremolinos Pride, which we will talk about next. And on the other, Mad Bear Beach Torremolinos, in mid-August, which brings together ‘bears’, fans and like-minded people to enjoy the most diverse activities, almost always with the beach and sea as the protagonists.
Torremolinos Pride, when the summer kicks off
Torremolinos Pride kicks off the town’s summer festival calendar. It takes place around the first weekend in June and has been held since 2015. It is supported by a large number of LGTBIQ+ associations and companies from the town, the province of Malaga and Andalusia. All sorts of activities are organised during these festive days.
The main one is the demonstration and parade that take place on Saturday and which brings together several thousand people, who take to the main streets and squares in a peaceful and playful manner. It is a meeting point not only for LGTBIQ+ people but also for everyone who wants to join in the protest and the party. In fact, the promoters of Torremolinos Pride maintain that, with this event and the others scheduled during those days, even though based on the LGTBIQ+ community, the aim is to open it up to the whole of society with normality and respect.
Among the events planned each year are sports tournaments (such as beach volleyball), film screenings, talks and conferences, exhibitions, theme parties in the most popular venues and, of course, shows by performers, bands and representatives of all the performing arts. There is also a special section, of course, for drag queen performances.
Events and festivals for all tastes and occasions
In addition to Torremolinos Pride, the calendar of events and festivals aimed at the LGTBIQ+ community in the town is truly extensive and runs throughout the year. One of the most popular is the aforementioned Mad Bear Beach Festival, the summer equivalent of the big party that takes place in Madrid during the long holiday weekend in December. Fans of the event have a sneak preview of the event in mid-July, during the Bear Fiesta. During both events there is a succession of beach parties, swimming pools, beach clubs, bars and discotheques.
Also very popular is the Matrix Torremolinos Easter Festival, which takes place during those spring holidays; and its summer sequel, the Matrix Sun Festival (third week of August). In spring, there is also the Torremolinos Fetish Weekend, where all kinds of fantasies and desires (not only sexual) are given free rein.
Coinciding with the Eurovision Song Contest (mid-May) is the Daddy Cool Festival, which focuses on more mature LGTBIQ+ people (and their fans).
Finally, and without losing sight of the fact that there are many other events organised by LGTBIQ+ venues in Torremolinos, the Infinity Festival is widely popular among this type of public, especially its Summer Edition. It is held in mid-June with parties on the beach, in hotel pools and at private clubs.
LGTBIQ+ entertainment areas beyond La Nogalera
Pasaje Begoña and the area around La Nogalera are the LGTBIQ+ hotspot of Torremolinos. That is where most of the businesses targeting this type of public are concentrated. It is not just about bars and nightclubs, there are also numerous specific or gay-friendly shops, restaurants, saunas and accommodation.
This small area has spread out over the last few decades towards the sea, with the opening of all kinds of leisure establishments, especially along Casablanca and Danza Invisible streets. There you will find, for example, the Luxuria Copas or El Cardeo bars plus the Centuryon disco, as well as the Exxxtreme Cruising club.
Apart from a few isolated businesses scattered throughout the town, the other LGTBIQ+ leisure area in Torremolinos is Bajondillo Beach. There, around Eden Beach Club and during the summer months, most of the community who live in or visit this town are attracted by its undeniable atmosphere of fun and freedom.
