New Book Recalls Pioneering LGTBIQ+ Club Vampis, Funds Community Support

A new book brings back memories of Vampis, a famous nightclub in Puerto de la Cruz. Vampis was a pioneering LGTBIQ+ venue in the Canary Islands. The book, called "Vampis, Beyond the Night," tells the story of the club's thirty years. It also helps support the Efecto Puerto association, which works to include and help vulnerable people.

José Manuel Placeres founded Vampis. In the 1980s, he saw a need for a different kind of place for gay people. So, Vampis opened on November 20, 1984. This date was significant in Spain after Franco's rule. The aim was to create a bright, open space, unlike the often-hidden venues of that era. Vampis brought a fresh style from Ibiza and quickly became known for respect and diversity. It welcomed LGTBIQ+ people and anyone looking for new music and entertainment. Its motto, "respect to be respected," was a core belief that went beyond just a nightclub.

For thirty years, Vampis was always changing and often ahead of its time. It hosted fashion shows, charity events, and international performances that changed every two weeks. It also threw themed parties and was one of the first clubs to use loyalty cards and sell merchandise. The music varied from early Spanish pop to electronic genres like techno, house, and electrohouse, which were brought in directly from cities like London and Amsterdam before they became popular in Spain. Famous guests included Boris Izaguirre, Antonia San Juan, and Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, cementing its place as a cultural landmark.

However, the club also faced big challenges. The rise of HIV/AIDS in the 1980s changed social life. Then, the 2008 economic crisis, along with long-term roadworks on Avenida del Generalísimo (now Familia de Bethencourt y Molina) from 2011 to 2014, badly affected its business. New rules about breathalyzer tests and the smoking ban inside buildings also meant fewer people came. After a large farewell party, Vampis closed its doors for good in June 2014.

But the spirit of Vampis didn't die. José Manuel Placeres kept organizing events under the "Vampis Club" name. After the pandemic, he helped create the Efecto Puerto association. This group, with around fifty members, runs projects for the LGTBIQ+ community in northern Tenerife. They receive funding from the Cabildo (Island Council) and other organizations. For example, they have "Sin Género" (Without Gender), a program for unemployed LGTBIQ+ seniors, and other initiatives to improve people's lives and empower them. The association helps about 200 people, offering psychological support, advice, and assistance during gender transition. It continues the "Vampis legacy" of diversity and inclusion.

All money made from selling the book "Vampis, Beyond the Night" (which you can pre-order now) will go towards Efecto Puerto's projects. The association was based in La Orotava until last year. It is still waiting for a new office space promised by the Puerto de la Cruz City Council since June 2025 – a sign of the ongoing difficulties these social groups face. So, the book doesn't just save the memory of a legendary place; it also helps continue its work of supporting and raising the profile of the LGTBIQ+ community in the Canary Islands.