Spain Explained

The chiringuito in Spain – delays in Orihuela

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 am.

It’s almost a national institution. The chiringuito, or Spanish beach bar, can really make your holiday that extra bit special. Equipped with young, energetic individuals, music into the night and the cocktails and spirits to match, they are a key feature of most beaches in Spain.

Although many people choose to take their own picnic, it’s good to have another alternative that means you’re not having to leave the beach at lunchtime for something to eat. The chiringuito also serves other purposes. They often sell beach equipment, carry the keys to a toilet and hire out sunbeds. Everything designed to make your day on the beach in Spain just a little more comfortable.

Some Spanish beach bars go even further and are involved in the organisation of volleyball matches, fiestas and flamenca shows. In these cases they can become a focus for groups of young (and older) people who want to make the most of their holiday.  

The chiringuito does not stay open all winter and is dismantled at the end of the summer season. Winter storms would reduce some of the wooden shacks to drift wood and the fact that every year they are rebuilt means they should be clean and fit for purpose come the summer. You will perhaps recognise their foundations during the winter months but there may be little else to hint that they’ve been there at all.

Missing chiringuitos on the Orihuela Costa

So why isn’t ours open yet? There is an absence on the Orihuela Costa of the slightest sign of a chiringuito. Without them it just isn’t the same. La Verdad, Spanish newspaper, is one daily which explains what’s happened.  

The chiringuitos in this part of the coast are run by a business. They are not individual beach bars but part of a chain. So far, at the time of writing this article, one company hasn’t yet been agreed on to run them this year.

Four companies have been interested but none have sealed the necessary contract in spite of the bids being submitted in February. Whoever is successful is expected to contribute a substantial amount to the city’s coffers and must have the correct quality certificate. Not everyone is happy that these conditions are being fairly applied and the whole process is being held up in the interim.    

Whilst the contract hasn’t been awarded, these Spanish beach bars remain closed. A serious blow to the local tourist trade and those using the beaches. In the meantime, time is running out. The chiringuitos won’t appear on the beach overnight. Valuable business is being lost whilst beach goers are missing their regular watering holes. A lose, lose situation really.

It’s to be hoped that the town council soon gets its act together if the holidaymakers aren’t to be left washed-up and thirsty at the beach this year.

 

 

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6 comments

Maureen Moss

30 April, 2014 2:55 pm

It’s very sad to see that all
It’s very sad to see that all the chiringuitos on La Mata beach appear to have closed for good, as they’ve been dismantled. They were a great facility and will be missed. Boardwalk cafes just don’t have the same atmosphere.

admin

30 April, 2014 5:01 pm

I agree, Maureen. They seem

I agree, Maureen. They seem to be missing all the way up the coast at the moment. I am hoping, that like in Orihuela Costa,  it's just a delay in the issuing of contracts and that they'll be back shortly. I'm not sure what the situation is in La Mata though. 

Bob Headrick

30 April, 2014 5:39 pm

I have run a beach bar in the
I have run a beach bar in the US and would love to put a beach bar on La Mata beach, could any one tell me how and who to approach to do this.?

admin

30 April, 2014 5:46 pm

Hi Bob

Hi Bob

I'm not sure about this, so I'm hoping one of our readers can help.  I think the bars go out to tender as a group and the process is run by the town hall. That would probably be the first place to try.   

Robert Owen

1 May, 2014 2:07 pm

This smacks of UK – if it isn
This smacks of UK – if it isn’t broken why fix it. It can surely not take over 2 months to agree on who can and cannot run a beach bar.

admin

1 May, 2014 5:29 pm

The Acequion beach bar in

The Acequion beach bar in Torrevieja is stil not up and running either. The other bars and restaurants were packed out today as it was a red day too.