Historically, Chueca has been a real working class neighbourhood and is now more the alternative part of the city. Some decades ago Chueca was transformed into the gay district of Madrid. In fact, several years ago Chueca was a dangerous neighborhood where drugs and male prostitution were increasing quickly. One of the most dangerous places was Plaza de Chueca, with plenty of drug dealers and prostitutes. However, Madrid's increasingly growing and affluent homosexual community has made Chueca one of the most fashionable and cosmopolitan neighborhood of Madrid and all Europe.

Chueca is located just to the north of the downtown core and old city, centered around the Plaza de Chueca and Chueca metro station. This neighbourhood is bounded by Calle Barquillo, Calle Hortaleza, the Gran V�a and Calle Alfonso VI. Here you can find in the different kind of boutiques, fashion shops and other cosmopolitan places. Likewise, Chueca is considered the gay nightlife district, specially along its main streets, such as Hortaleza, Infantas, Barquillo, and San Lucas.

Chueca is the heart of the city�s gay scene, packed with shops, restaurants, bars and clubs. From Plaza de Chueca east to Paseo Recoletos (the beginning of the long Paseo de la Castellana) are some of the city's most enticing streets. Offbeat restaurants, small private art galleries, and odd corner shops are to be found here in abundance. On the calles Admirante and Prim one can find some of Madrid's most avant guard fashion and shoe shops. In the same way, to the south, the Ministry of Culture fronts the Plaza del Rey, which is also worth a look for the other odd buildings surrounding it, especially the Casa de las Siete Chimeneas (House of Seven Chimneys).

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