Bygone Places / La Boom, a giant nightclub that once existed in the north of Mexico City.
Two floors of fun and excess. Four thousand square meters: lights, music, well-off guys, and trendy girls. One of the most memorable nightclubs of the 90s decade.
By: Youyi Mayora Eng
Photos courtesy of: Pinterest, Revista Caras
The 1990s hold both forgotten memories and vivid recollections for today's "chavorrucos." Michael Jackson had left a profound mark on the entire '90s youth who attended his concerts at Estadio Azteca on October 29th and November 11th, 1993. Back then, hearts beat to the rhythm of a pop culture that had evolved from the creativity of the 1980s. The years ahead promised to be shaped by the blood of a Generation X that threatened to dominate the nightlife scene. A space was needed that would provide anonymity for the night's indulgences. With the rise of a new and light Mexican pop sensation led by Magneto, the well-off youth of Mexico City prepared for years of glory and excess that would define the north of what was then the Federal District.
The nightclub that was at El Toreo
Perhaps anyone privileged enough to have a few gray hairs and find themselves on the fourth or even fifth floor once danced until dawn at La Boom. But speaking of La Boom isn't just about labeling it as a "nightclub," a somewhat derogatory term that emerged in that decade to avoid aligning with the memories of parents who insisted on calling them "discos." La Boom was also an entertainment center. It all depended on who rented its spaces. There were boxing championships, magic congresses, Christmas item sales—it was a multi-faceted entity that adapted to the needs of those who summoned it.
For over a decade, it witnessed the rise of bouncers who stood as pillars of authority against a naive youth eager to break free from constraints that only limited the promise of fun until sunrise. Once inside, young people got lost in its vast spaces. Its floors, warmed by lights, immersed you in a labyrinth of cigarette smoke, drinks, mini-skirts, and sweat-drenched shirts with hairy chests. But the magic began to fade when that youth encountered the reality of the third floor and the inevitable destiny of reaching maturity. This, combined with real estate changes in the area and rumors of illicit substance sales, marked the end of a legend. La Boom, myth and reality, will forever remind us of a decade marked by the glory of Spanish pop, the rise of bouncers, and a plethora of kisses, caresses, and drinks that define today's Mexico.
