Last Macumba Nightclub in France Closes After Nearly 50 Years

The iconic Englos discotheque, once part of a thriving chain, hosted its final dance as its founder retires and the property is sold to developers.

The Macumba nightclub in Englos, near Lille, closed on February 24, 2025, marking the end of the last venue in a chain that began in 1965.
The closure follows the retirement of founder Henri Souque, 84, who was unable to find a buyer for the business and sold the property to developers.
The chain, which once included 23 locations across France and abroad, was an emblem of 1980s nightlife, immortalized by Jean-Pierre Mader's hit song 'Macumba.'
The final night drew hundreds of attendees spanning generations, celebrating with a mix of nostalgia and joy on the dance floor.
The closure reflects a broader decline in large-scale nightclubs in France, which have dwindled from 4,000 in the 1980s to around 1,500 today.