When I arrived at this bar, the first impulse I had was to call the crowd to order and give a history lesson. This group of queer preppies, dressed in a way that I couldn’t understand, were giving me deja vu from the short period when I worked as a high school teacher.
But the night went on and suddenly I was listening to M.I.A, one of my favorites singers. And, making the scene even more attractive to my eyes, a bunch of teen fags were singing her lyrics and dancing as if they were her or, at least, as if they were in one of her videos. La Bomba, indeed, turned out to be a real explosion for my eyes, which I suppose were no longer used to seeing this array of color, youth and hormones, altogether in the same place.
In order to understand what the appeal of this place is, I have to mention Pepi, Lucy, Bom y las chicas del montón, Pedro Almodóvar‘s first movie, where Carmen Maura is unbelievably young and the Spanish now-famous-singer Alaska is fifteen years old. La Bomba is a place where anyone can appear, from fashionistas trying to find “alternative” new places to “emos” showing off their creative outfits. This small, kind of improvised bar, gives life to colorful characters–it’s as though their myspace layouts have come to life–who come to migle away from their homes and parents.
In my earlier posts, I’ve talked about how the victims of the gentrification of the Zona Rosa include the young queer teenagers who can barely afford a dinner and a couple of beers in the upscale new venues on Amberes street. Although one of the regulars mention that this place opened about five years ago, La Bomba seems to be filling this gap, since it is located near the gay area, and offers a wide variety of music; even hosting young dj’s that are beginning their careers.
Following the requirements of the new local policy, an ID has to be displayed at the entrance. A big, young machota will frisk you if you are a woman. So don’t bring any weapons….
La Bomba: Jalapa 13 Glorieta metro Insurgentes, Col. Roma; Caguama 30 pesos (US$3.00), tostadas and snacks are served.