Anyone out there running a bar in Spain? Are we mad to think of it?

Show all answers

Trust Me

Be very careful in spain as they are very prejudiced to foreigners doing business in their country. (None of this refers to the spanish people, just the authorities).
I opened a bar and was forced out of business.
Make sure you do a lot of homework first.
i.e. take over an existing bar, don't try to make one yourself.
Check licences and regulations. Many parts of malaga are not permitted music licences for example. Take over a business with an existing licence, and make sure it's not going to contravene eu or local regulations, such as soundproofing and disabled persons access.
The police will patrol your bar and tell you different things each time. If your business is doing well, they will come down on you more. Check terrace licencing as well.
Anything you don't have to start with, you will be given denuncias for. These are fines. Even if you have all licencing in place, you will still be prejudiced against. Other bars will be able to do things that you won't.
Best advice if its something you really want to do..... check out every little detail first.

Lollypopfizz

Hey, i live in Spain but i havent got a bar..

A lot of the english people come down here and open a bar ... it seems the easiest thing to do but there are so much of them now and as snowmateus said in winter its hard. if you have a bar you really need to be cooking aswell and i would recommend a fish and chip shop too, although there is one where i live they are few and far between and all the brits like their fish and chips!!

pmgled

Yes you are mad to think of it, there are so manyt people who come out here to start a bar and not realise the cost of setting up, If you want to do it go for it but please ensure you look into the cost of any refurb including the laws on this and the licences required for the opening to public, the hours you will have to work and the cost of insurance etc. Are you likely to pull this back, also are you loooking to buy freehold or leashold as the fees in some parts of spain are out of this world, also you need to sit down and do some kind of research and aa business plan what times of year are going to be the busiest and if you are in a tourist area what are you going to pull in through the winter, are you going to pull enough in to cover your costs including autonomo and tax for yourself and the staff you may take on in the future another reason to come out and sit with a spanish accountant for advice and the list of costs ooutgoings you should expect befor eyou go for it,

alan t

ther are many good pub sites there but an awful lot of ones where you will struggle to make a living.. go visit, talk to the owners in different area's. a lot will tell you not to bother. 10a.m start if you are lucky finishing 3/4 in the morning 7 days a week.if you are looking in north spain then look on mark stallard site as he points out the good and bad things.give him a call,he runs his own pub in old town,benidorm

Smartie Pants NYC

I visited Cadiz and Rota, which houses a US Navy base, so there are a good deal of expats who run bars there. I remember Lou, who's originally from the Bronx. He's been running his place for a couple of decades I believe. He actually toasted my engagement, and gave us our first champagne glasses.

The place is called the Boar's Breath.
http://www.boars-breath.com/index.html
Maybe you can ask him!

Tell him you heard about him through some friends of the Navy Ninja Kaiser Soze!! Then let me know what you find out!

Ruth P

You may find this article on buying a bar in Spain of interest to you:-

http://www.costadelsol-vacationrentals.com/buying-a-bar-in-spain.html

121aloraphotos

I have sold many types and styles of business from Malaga to Marbella in the past nine years. but by far the biggest demand is for bars and cafe/bars. Most have been successful, but others not, this is mainly due to them starting with so little capital and some think thay are still on holiday!!
Alexander-del-sol staff will be pleased to help you in any inquiries you may have in by purchasing a businesses on the costa del sol, Spain

Snot Me

depends on where. people forget the costas are tourist so you have to make your money in a few months, some are open all year round but have to cater for different nationalities at different times of years.
where i live, around Marbella there are lots of bars for sale as there are not the client base.
the Spanish in August, portugues in Sept along with the French, English and most of the Europeans some of the other times.

Carousel

Yes you are. It is long hours and sometimes for no worthwhile return. You will have to be very good or the competition will kill your business. I've been here in Spain for many years and I've seen so many come with high hopes and go home broke.

jackie n

its tough very tough out there too many pubs desperately trying to pull people in with promotions and too much competition especially in spain it can be very disheartening but if it your dream go for it

trouble_906

There is a saying, if you go to live in Spain the first thing you shouldn't do is open a bar. I'm not saying that's my opinion, but is what they say. More close then don't but that's because they have limited capital and can only afford a secondary or out of the way place. A lot do that, you will be surprised. I watch them open and then give them a time in which I think they will disappear. I'm usually right.

However, there are also a lot of very successful ones. They are usually in good positions. Around where I am, a couple of the most successful bars are Irish Bars, I think they are a franchise. This may cost more but they do very well.

My friend, a butcher, opened two years ago. He does pretty well now, but it took him over 9 months to get open, that was after he found a shop. And he had professional help. He was worrying about his capital being burned up just in his living costs whilst trying to get trading. Wife and two kids.

There has been a lot of very good avise on here. I think the most important is taking care and checking everything out. Have the help of someone who knows what they are doing.

Finally, have a look at the Costa Blanca, especially north. Towns like Javea, Moraira, Calpe etc. Yes there are English bars, but it is not as expensive as the Costa del Sol, and it is a growing Brit population.

Good luck

Nigel S

I am a partner in a disco, and its going well. I don't think your mad to think of it,However the success will depend on so many variables, Location, Local population, many others, Ask yourself what type of bar do you want to run, is it geared towards Ex pats or the Spanish ,based on that look at location, go there talk to the locals , visit as many bars as poss able, think of a theme for the bar , something the others don't have.Its not easy many people try and fail every year, A lot of research is the answer.Don't jump in feet first.

nicole b

its hard work, but lets face it ,we all have to work might as well do it in the sun,maybe you could find someone to be partners with ,then at least you'd get time off ,good luck if you do decide to have a go nothing ventured and all that,mines a sangria,cheers.

snowmateus1

I think its a big risk as there is a lot of competition with so many other bars, winters are hard aswell. I would probably go for a really good fish & chip shop as I havnt found one yet!

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: