Heartbreaking news for Lisbon’s underground scene: Planeta Manas, a vital safe space for the city’s queer community, has announced it will shut its doors for good on July 25 after a brutal series of police raids.
Founded in 2021 by the collectives Rádio Quântica and mina, Planeta Manas quickly became more than just a nightclub — it was a sanctuary. But over the last five months, the venue endured four separate police raids, including a violent one in February where attendees reported physical assaults and illegal searches by plainclothes officers.
In an emotional statement, the Planeta Manas team shared:
"Even though we carry no regrets, we've reached a point where maintaining the physical existence of this incarnation of Planeta Manas is coming at such a human, emotional, and physical cost that we can no longer keep the space open without compromising our values and ideals."
Financial losses from the raids proved devastating, pushing the venue deep into debt. Now, with a final fundraising push, the team hopes to cover unpaid costs like equipment rentals, cleaning, licenses, and insurance — aiming to close with dignity and a clean slate.
While this chapter is ending, Planeta Manas made it clear: this isn’t a goodbye forever. They dream of one day rising again — this time in a space protected from systemic abuse and the cruelty of the market.
For now, Lisbon loses not just a club, but a crucial piece of its cultural soul.
Final Raver's Take:
Queer clubs aren't just dancefloors — they’re survival spaces. What happened to Planeta Manas should never happen anywhere. Big love to everyone who made it what it was.