Seaside Gazette » chiringuito

Arson on Velilla Beach

Editor — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:53:51 +0000

There was a case of probable arson on Velilla Beach last month, where one chiringuito received fire damage valued at 12,000 euros… in other words, exactly two million pesetas. Here we are, ten years down the line, and somebody calculates what he has lost in pesetas and then announces it in euros… 12,000!

Eyewitnesses claim that they saw two youths, around two in the morning, squirt inflammable liquid onto a small store shed belonging to the Chiringuito La Barca, in which it stored beach equipment, before setting light to it. The same eyewitness claimed that the flames were so fierce that they were nearly as high as the nearby palm trees.

Deliberate fire vandalism or arson appears to be a growing threat for beach bars, starting when a chiringuito in Motril was burnt to the ground and, more recently, a flotilla of hydro-pedaloes were incinerated on Playa San Cristóbal.

Chiringuito La Bahía

David Darby — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:50:27 +0000

(MO) Situated across from the picturesque El Peñon (the rocky point which divides the two beaches in Salobreña), you will find Chringuito La Bahia. Here you can feast on a spectacular menu while enjoying the breathtaking view of the sea and beaches. La Bahia has an amazing assortment of fresh fish to choose from daily – look for the day catch displayed, chilling on ice, in the quaint little boat inside the restaurant.
The owner, Pepe Almendros, has run this restaurant since it opened in 1988. The length of its very existence speaks volumes about its impeccable food and attentive, friendly staff. The special preparation of their fish and meat is what makes this restaurant stand out from the rest. Especially popular is their succulent roasted meat, or ribs if you prefer, served with a special sauce. Also popular is their wide assortment of salads (8 classes of salad!). Soon you will also be able to enjoy the sight of sardines being roasted on a spit in the boat parked outside the chiringuito.
A unique feature of La Bahia is the conical shaped roof and the crystal glass doors, which create a very illuminated setting. These features keep the place warm in the winter (along with the wood-burning oven) – and cool in the summer, when the doors are opened to allow a nice light breeze to flow through. The restaurant is spacious but cozy and with indoor and outdoor seating, there is room for up to 250 people. However, in the high season it is recommended to reserve a table. They are open every day now until October between the hours of 10:00 and 22:30. They have ample private parking reserved for their guests. English is spoken. Located at Playa del Peñon, Salobreña Tel. 958 828 395

Chiringuitos Saved but Struggling

Editor — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 08:44:18 +0000

The province’s chiringuitos, amongst them the ones in Almuñécar, had a difficult time during July, with most of them reporting lower takings than July of last year – 18%, but they are confident that August will be another story.
The main cause of the drop in sales, according to the Chairman of the Asociación de Chiringuitos de la Costa Tropical, Francisco Trujillo, is that families leave the beach at lunchtime to eat at home, or in their hotels, rather than crossing the beach to eat at a Chiringuito.
However, although things are expected to pick up during August, the Chairman is not so optimistic for September because the school year starts a week earlier this year and September is traditionally a family-holiday month on this part of the southern coast.
Yet, this down turn hasn’t stopped the Asociación de Chiringuitos de Almuñécar and La Herradura making a generous gesture; they are going to donate a portable defibrillator to the Proteción Civil, whose task it is to provide First Aid and assistance in general on our beaches. It is likely that the defibrillator will be kept on La Herradura beach, as it is further from the Almuñécar medical centre.
The Association is also financing 26 rubbish containers as part of an agreement with the municipal department of the environment, recognising that the cleanliness of the beaches is fundamental.

Chiringuito La Bahía

David Darby — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:29:55 +0000

Changing tack and heading to Salobreña we come to the Chiringuito La Bahía. For 21 years this fantastic Chiringuito has been feeding locals and holidaymakers alike. With superb fish and meat dishes including their famous Kebabs of Sardines, it is quite obvious that they have not taken their foot off the pedal in all that time.
They even have loads of private parking spaces, so you wont be driving around looking for a space in the heat and slowly starving in the process.
One thing that always annoys diners is waiting for ages to get your order taken… well that’s not going to be a problem here, with a dozen or so staff working in the kitchen and at the tables, your order drinks will be served and order taken in double quick time.
To find the fabulous Chringuito La Bahia just drive down to Salobreña beach, turn right, and there it is in front of you. Tel. 958 828 395.

El Chambao de Joaquín

David Darby — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:50:06 +0000

You really cannot come to La Herradura without eating at the restaurant belonging to a man who can only be described as a national institution. With his flamboyant style, Joaquín produces brilliant paellas, fresh fish, succulant meats… and all cooked over an open fire!
If you are staying in the area, and you intend to visit all the Caves of Nerja and The Alhambra, to absorb a bit of local traditional Spain, then you really should stop by El Chamboa de Joaquín, in fact, I reckon the place has been there just about as long as The Alhambra!
But don’t let your touristy mind think that El Chamboa is some sort of theme bar… they take their food very seriously, and having tried the sardines and the lamb chops, I can assure you that there food is way up there, and the Chamboa experience is something you will want to repeat.
Why not try out their Monday-night Flamenco Show, it starts at 21.00 and features the Flamenco group Sabor Andaluz. It’s a very popular show, so make sure you reserve a table on 958 64 00 44, and you can find El Chambao de Joaquin at the Punta de la Mona end of La Herradura beach, Mapspot 1, and you can find out more at www.elchambaodejoaquin.com.

Chiringuito Reprieve

Editor — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:51:11 +0000

The Chiringuitos can breathe more easily, at last. After two worrying years, and the last few months of cliff-dangling tension, this summer and the next 15 they can get down to doing business without having an ear cocked for the rumble of an approaching bulldozer.
Thanks to an agreement struck between Costas and the Town Hall has allowed the latter to issue licence-renewals to the established (historic, in some cases) Chiringuitos, which in itself has opened the way for such beach establishments along the coast in Salobreña and Motril achieve the same.
One of the sticking points up to this breakthrough has been that beach bars should not occupy more that 150 sq/m of beach (100 inside and 50 terrace). Costas has now accepted that the toilets – which although within these establishments are also used by bathers on the beach in general (in theory!) – should not be included within this 150-sq/m limit. This agreement is 99% signed and sealed, but there is many a slip between the cup and the lip, eh?
Finally, do you know the difference between a ‘chiringuito’ and a ‘chambao’? Well, a chambao is just a thatched or bamboo awning, whilst a chiringuito is the bar-restaurant in itself. A chiringuito was originally an open-air bar, whereas you can erect a chambao on your roof terrace to provide shade.

Chiringuito Fire

Louise Powell — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:23:31 +0000

At the beginning of last month disaster struck Chiringuito Hoyo 19 when, at around 2am on the night of the 4th of May, the popular beach bar went up in flames.
It took three fire trucks four and a half hours to finally put out the rage that reduced the building to pile of cinders. The next day regular customers rallied around to support owner José Lemos and salvage what little they could.
The fire department says that they are unsure as to what caused the fire, but by process of elimination they deem it to have been an accident. Hopefully, the insurance will cover costs of getting the bar up and running again in time for summer. Judging by the huge amount of support witnessed on the Internet it is a very popular place and will be missed by many. Unfortunately, when I was down taking a look at the damage at the end of last month, it looks a long way off being returned to its former glory and it could be a while before the regular crowds can assemble again.

Chiringuito Fate

Louise Powell — Fri, 08 May 2009 09:14:45 +0000

One of the most worrying and much talked about news stories of the month has been the plight of the beloved Spanish beach bar (or chiringuito to us Spanglish speakers). Upon receiving a warning from the Environment Ministry that beach bars must shift their wares off the sand in order to comply with coastal law, beach bar owners last month declared war. Not happy to just sit back (literally) and shuffle their tables onto the pavement they decided to take action, formed a committee and called crisis meetings.
The crackdown comes as an implementation of the ‘law of coasts’ that was drawn up several years ago in response to criticism that Spain’s beaches were over-developed and under-protected, many referring to Spain’s somewhat developed coastline as a ‘a concrete jungle.’ And it’s not just the ugly skyline at stake, the Environment Ministry fears that if the law is not upheld irreparable damage will occur. Under the plan the coastline will be freed of construction, and many business and homeowners are already being relocated. And now it’s the turn of the bars. The only slight hiccup in the governments bulldozing plan is that, despite their pull, they can’t brutally enforce the law without cooporation from regional governments who have the final say, and who currently seem to support the chiringuitos that are like lucrative little honey pots for tourists throughout the summer. So a compromise must be reached and the battle has begun. Round one goes to the feisty bunch of beach bar owners who, after being let down on the promise that talks would begin in March, threatened to take to the streets of Madrid and “…hand out skewers of sardines,” until the government agreed to hear them out. I fear this could get messy.
At the forefront of the battle and leading the way for beach bars across Andalucía is Franciso Trujillo, Chairman of the Asociación de Chiringuitos, who helped secure a small win for the bars on the coast of Granada and who were the first to undergo talks in Madrid in an attempt to secure their place in the sand.
Currently, Granada region boasts a whopping 52 chiringuitos and employs around 300 permanent staff, with more jobs opening up during the summer. The main fear is that by cramming tourists onto the pavement to dine, business will be seriously affected and restaurant space drastically reduced, forcing some beach bars out of business.
Luckily, the 2,000 or so beach bars in Andalusia are clubbing together to fight the legislation and have the total support of not only the Junta de Andalucía but the thousands of tourists and residents who enjoy the charming tradition of being able to sip tinto-de-verano with sand between their toes. Spain’s’ beaches just wouldn’t be the same without the waft of smoky fish and the lively atmosphere these places provide! So don’t be surprised if a petition gets passed your way next time you find yourself hanging out in one of the chiringuitos and, unless you’re a die-hard environmentalist, sign up and show your support.