Spain is one of Europe’s most well-established destinations for a bit of sun, sand and sea – and it’s also known for its late-night alfresco street life, particularly in popular holiday hotspots.
However, eating and drinking out late could soon be a thing of the past in Spain, as Minister of Employment and Social Economy Yolanda Díaz has suggested that Spanish society needs a little ‘structure’.
According to Metro, she told Congress that ‘A country that has its restaurants open at one in the morning is not reasonable. It is crazy to try to continue extending hours until I don’t know what time.’
Díaz is pushing for wider social changes in Spain, and is an advocate for more sociable working hours for those in the hospitality industry.
It is pretty typical in Spain to still have plenty of options if you’re after a bite to eat or a drink after 1am, and bars in party-central areas like Magaluf are often open much later than that. However, not everyone sees this culture as ‘not reasonable’.
Restaurant and bar owners and other politicians have slated the proposal as they believe it’s detrimental to an established industry for Spain, according to LBC.
‘Spain has the best nightlife in the world, with streets full of life and freedom. And that also provides jobs,’ said Isabel Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Community of Madrid on X (fka Twitter), ‘they want us … bored at home.’
And Spain does know how to party. From the cracking roster of nightclubs in Barcelona to these amazing bars in Madrid, the country’s reputation for great nightlife has strong foundations. Watch this space for more updates.
More on tourism in Spain
The debate about closing times for restaurants and bars aside, there are a few new measures in place to manage the impacts of tourism across Spain. One of the country’s most popular attractions will soon be charging visitors, and this Spanish city is banning hotels.
Did you see that this European passport has just been crowned the world’s best?
Plus: There could soon be a speedy new train along Spain’s Costa del Sol.
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