Madrid, May 9, 2026 – The Madrid City Council has successfully closed the illegal and noisy terrace of Café del Espejo, located on Paseo de Recoletos, near Plaza de Colón. The closure marks the end of a protracted legal dispute that began after the operating concession for the space expired in 2018. The City Council now plans to issue a new concession for the pavilion, aiming to preserve its architectural charm.
Years of Illegal Operation and Noise Complaints
For the past two years, the terrace of Café del Espejo drew significant attention due to the high level of noise it generated in the Centro district, an area with strict noise regulations. Despite operating without municipal permission, the terrace hosted concerts, DJ sessions, and large gatherings, causing considerable disturbance to nearby residents. The original concession for the building and terrace, granted in 1988, expired after thirty years, in 2018.
Initial attempts by the Centro District Board to evict the previous concessionaire, El Espejo SA, began in February 2019, following the expiration of the concession. However, the company resisted, continuing its operations even through the pandemic. In 2022, El Espejo SA entered receivership, and a new company acquired the business, attempting to prolong the illegal activity.
Legal Battles and Final Closure
Café del Espejo comprised three distinct areas: the café on Recoletos 31, the pavilion on Paseo de Recoletos, and the adjacent terrace. The latter two were operating without municipal permission after the three-decade concession expired.
According to sources from the Madrid City Council, a ruling by the Superior Court of Justice of Madrid (TSJM) mandated the closure of the pavilion by June 27, 2024. A month later, on July 30, 2024, the operator communicated its intent to vacate, handing over the keys to the kiosk on August 1, 2024.
The pavilion was closed in June 2024. The new group that purchased the business attempted to extend the exploitation of the terrace through popular ‘tardeos’ (afternoon parties) organized by ‘Gitano by Espejo’. However, the City Council demanded the cessation of the terrace’s operations, a process that was prolonged in court until its definitive closure following a TSJM ruling in March of the current year.
Municipal sources consulted by Somos Madrid stated, “Justice sided with the City Council after the company’s request for precautionary measures to avoid removing the terrace was denied by the court.”
Future Plans for the Iconic Space
The current operators have also announced their intention to cease operations at the only remaining open section, the café on Recoletos. However, they expressed their defiance in a social media message: “It won’t close with a decree. We will go down fighting.”
Despite the challenges, the City Council aims to preserve the pavilion, which was constructed in the 1980s in a ‘faux historic’ style, drawing inspiration from Art Nouveau Parisian cafés of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Although it lacks significant heritage value, its architecture has endeared it to Madrid residents.
A municipal spokesperson informed this newspaper, “The City Council’s objective is to issue a tender for a new operating concession for the pavilion.” This was not possible until now, as the previous illegal operators had not vacated the premises. Once the space is fully cleared, a new tender process will be initiated to reopen Café del Espejo under legal terms.
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