Barcelona Events Musicals (BEM), the company responsible for managing El Molino and also organizing the Cruïlla festival, has decided not to continue directing the venue. This withdrawal comes in light of the need to undertake soundproofing works to minimize disturbances to neighbors, an obligation that has created uncertainty for the company.
The venue, owned by the Barcelona City Council since 2021, had already been warned last December about deficiencies in its soundproofing. In late January, a temporary closure was announced to address these improvements, accompanied by a modified programming schedule, concentrating performances on weekends and setting a time limit until 11:00 PM.
“"The difficulty involved in having to modify and subsequently halt activity."
Although the works were initially considered a
“"necessary step to regain El Molino's leadership and legacy as a great cultural icon of Barcelona"
the management company has ultimately decided to step back, just over a year and a half after taking control.
The history of El Molino dates back to the late 19th century, when it opened as La Pajarera Catalana. Later, around 1910, it became known as Petit Moulin Rouge, a name it lost after the Spanish Civil War. After a closure in 1997, it reopened in 2010 under the direction of Ocio Puro, which carried out a complete renovation. However, this management ended with significant debt, mainly due to rehabilitation costs, until the Barcelona City Council acquired the property in 2021.
