IBIZA BANS DRINKING IN PUBLIC

Two new measures will début during the 2016 season in Ibiza: a new tax for tourists and...

Ban on ANY LIQUID outside hotels, bars and restaurants!

The 2016 season has just started and the big clubs rush in time to give the desired final kick off to a promising summer. Loaded with new features in Ibiza, new musical bets that promise to give much to talk about, the renewal of many sessions established on the island and the last season of Space Ibiza this year. Basically, the island is on fire.

Bora Bora - Playa d'en Bossa, Ibiza

But we not only find an awesome situation in the music and clubbing scene. Politics has a say in the way of new measures not exempt of controversy in Ibiza. Local authorities don't usually work towards promoting or developing club culture and electronic music in Ibiza, but rather tend to favour cuts and bans in the Summer. They argue it’s an attempt to ensure security on the island and the tranquility of the locals. But it’s a pity these ideas are usually seen materialized by restrictions to electronic music, which current supports what was once called the “Island of Liberties”.

Last year bans came in the form of reduced opening hours, alcohol bans on air planes and impediments for beach clubs to continue. This year we find two novelties besides the eradication of ticket sellers and street entertainers: the implementation of a tourism tax and a more than controversial ban on drinking in public!

The tourism tax was a measure already introduced in 2002 but was repealed the following year with the change of government. It’s a measure already applied at many seaside and tourist resorts that is quite understandable, especially considering that tax rates will range between €0.50 and €2 for luxury establishments. On the plus side, children under 15 will not have to pay. All proceeds obtained by this route will be used for the promotion of sustainable tourism and the conservation of natural areas. Given the enormous environmental impact Ibiza is subjected to during the summer months. If the money is actually used for these purposes [we agree] it’s a reasonable measure.

New Ban on Consumption of Liquids in Public!

This new law even bans drinking WATER from plastic bottles in public, leaving tourists on the verge of dehydration! The law does not propose this, but stresses that hotels and entertainment venues - not shops or supermarkets – MUST prevent customers from leaving their premises with any type of liquid substance including alcohol poured into plastic glasses or bottles. If the customer manages to sneak out any liquid substance the establishment that provided it would be liable, so they would have to have a special security guard who would control the departure of visitors.

Ushuaïa - Playa d'en Bossa, Ibiza - The BEST Club in the World

Do these new laws make sense? Are there more disadvantages than advantages? Will it be possible to put it into practice as proposed? Will it materialize in financial strains on tourist establishments in Ibiza, who need more staff to try to uphold it? 

Regardless, if approved it's expected to bring many headaches for tourists, hoteliers, and even the police!

Hospitality News - Spain Consumes 4% More Alcohol

Gin Second Favourite in Spain for the First Time 

After nearly a decade of constant decrease, last year spirits achieved a global sales growth of 2%, with consumers preferring distilled WHISKEY and GIN.

“Destilerías Y Crianza del Whisky” is a Spanish company that started to produce the first Spanish whisky in 1963... DYC! Production reached 20 million litres per year in the 80’s. However, nowadays output is only a fraction of distillery capacity.

Locals loved DYC in the 80’s

Good News for Spanish Hospitality

Positive data released from the second half of 2015, now also confirms the recovery of the Spirits industry. This has been confirmed by the “Economic and Social Report” of the sector in 2015, prepared by Spanish Spirits Federation (FEBE) and presented a few days ago by its CEO, Bosco Torremocha, to the Minister of Agriculture, Isabel García Tejerina.

Bosco Torremocha

During 2015, 190 million litres of spirits were sold in Spain, about 2% more than the previous year, with a contribution of €7.6 Billion to the Spanish economy (0.12% of GDP). According to the report, the total domestic production, 60% is for local consumption and they export the remaining 40%.

Isabel García Tejerina

Local consumption is again focused on HORECA*, with 60% of the total in 2015, and recorded increases of 4% in hospitality, compared to 1.7% in supermarkets. 

HORECA is an abbreviation used in Europe for the sector of the food industry that consists of establishments which prepare and serve food and beverages. The term is a syllabic abbreviation of the words Hotel + Restaurant + Café. By establishment sales were distributed as follows:

Drinking Patterns & Trends

Overall, whiskey remains the drink preferred by Spanish consumers, with 26% of the total market, followed by gin 20%, which passed rum 17% for the first time. Then top selling specialties were liquors 12%, brandy 11%, anise 6% and vodka [only?] 5%. The distribution of the percentages of consumption in HORECA maintains the same proportions for drinks.

What's you favourite spirit?

Please leave a comment

NIGHTLIFE ABUSE

ENOUGH HUMILIATION, CRIMINALIZATION AND ABUSE!

Maurizio Pasca

"Enough Abuse in the Nightlife Sector!"

"I would like very much that ‪nightlife‬ went back to being what it once was. When pleasure of getting together, dancing, and having ‪fun in a healthy and safe way was stronger than anything else. Instead, I find myself today witness of a gradual dispersion of those values that once had great meaning and instead today are gradually disappearing.

Look at what ‪nightclubs have shown in the past, to have positive momentum towards the future: this is the task we must carry out to ensure nightlife ‪entertainment shines like before. The great importance it has within the ‪tourism economy, moreover, requires of us who love this area real effort and determination.

What I would like to convey is a new ‎nightclub concept. This concept definitely doesn't want to be a bad copy of the past but simply a positive emulation so that certain values are retrieved along with those of good management. What I dream about for ages is a real revolution, a revolution that will comes from all of us. Why not invite industry insiders to support this idea, creating a new nightclub concept. Those interested in developing a specific project, can contact me."

Maurizio Pasca is President of Italian Nightlife Association, Vice-President of Italian Hotel and Public Services Association, President of European Nightlife Association and Vice-President of International Nightlife Association.

Lozano's Plan to Open Restaurant Goes South

Negotiation Discrepancies Cause Nightlife Entrepreneur to Abandon Project...

FFS! Here we go again

The opening of a restaurant & bar called "ARTYS" in the stables of the "Liria" Palace was scheduled for mid-October. 

The day chosen for the inauguration of this initiative was no coincidence, since it would coincide with the first anniversary of the death of Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart aka "Duquesa de Alba", who died last November. 

Cayetana de Alba (1926-2014)

It was to become a nightlife landmark, a fancy restaurant called "Artys", identified by a 6500 square feet ceiling fraught with paintings and pictures. The venue was divided into two: the restaurant and another room for organized events.

Responsible for everything, so far, was Oscar Lozano, a businessman with extensive experience in the hospitality and leisure industry, and well-known after triumphing with nightclubs like Coyote and Buddha Bar. However, Lozano has pulled out due to personal disagreements with his business partner. 

"A month before the opening, my partner and I sat down to talk about the contract and I saw there were many loose ends and chose to abandon the project. It's a personal problem due to discrepancies in the contract and management of the venue. The Duke of Alba has nothing to do with it, he will go on, but without me. Each has taken different paths, but I wish him well in his new venture."

Duke receives news ARTYS is going elsewhere

The décor of this place would play the main foyer of the "Liria" Palace itself, wrapped in class and distinction, and perhaps somewhat rococo vintage for this moment. The point is Artys as such will continue, but not in the stables of the palace. Oscar Lozano will continue on his own.

"We will open the doors very soon in another emblematic area of Madrid, but for now I prefer to keep it secret. I have brought with me everything I had created so far and I assure it will be successful. We will take most of the decoration and the investment in the stables so far, with not only the brand but my select clientèle after years in this business."

Oscar Lozano said Carlos Fitz-James Stuart, the new Duke of Alba, was "delighted" with the project. The aristocrat also push ahead with the plans to open a restaurant in the stables, and the rent was exciting before the clashes occurred between partners. "We had signed a 25 year contract with them, until now it was a Chinese restaurant, when I was going to start this project and what was clear they wanted to go with him."

With or without Lozano

The Duke needs to monetize and capitalize on the extensive properties inherited after the death of Doña Cayetana and it is getting. It's clearly known the public opening of the "Palacio de las Dueñas" in Seville, although a reserved floor is kept private. Now, the new Duke wants to take advantage of the facilities of the "Liria" Palace in Madrid, with or without Oscar Lozano.

Venue management without the well known entrepreneur will be quite different from what was expected. But the monthly revenue was also expected to allow them to better cope with the Duke heritage conservation. 

Venue management declared to Madrid Nightlife "Oscar was our Marketing Director and failing to reach an agreement our employment contract ended! We will continue with our venue in Liria Palace and I guess he will open a nightclub or something, I have no idea."

Related articles:
Oscar Lozano Back in Madrid

Rent a Nightclub in Madrid

http://www.madridnightlife.com

FOOTBALL SUPPORTER MURDERED

POLICIA NACIONAL ARREST 18 MORE (3 under age) over fatal incident between rival supporters

2 CHARGED WITH MURDER

Detained this morning: 15 in Madrid, 2 in Toledo and 1 in Valencia

Video recorded by taxi driver helped identify who threw Jimmy in the river...

• Only 4 of the 7 suspects were arrested and imprisoned

• Camera recordings identified 108 thugs the morning of the fight

• The fight had been pre-agreed, but main focus was on locating culprits

• €60,000 “Anti-violence” fine for 56 hooligans involved in the brawl

TODAY 2 people were charged with the murder of

Francisco Javier Romero aka “Jimmy”

The investigation continues...

The mass brawl took place 30th November 2014 by Madrid’s river “Manzanares”, near the “Vicente Calderon” stadium, hours before the match between “Atletico Madrid” and “Deportivo de la Coruna”.

After the brawl, involving around 200 people, Policia arrested 82 individuals and 4 were imprisoned accused of causing Jimmy's death, but last May the Magistrates ordered their release lacking evidence they participated in the event.

"Jimmy"

According to eye witnesses the first person to fall into the river “Manzanares” after the fight wasn't Jimmy, but another “Depor” supporter, who also fell into the river and got out of the water on his own.

Policia maintained accusation against the 4 alleged perpetrators, who were joined by 2 more detainees today allegedly involved in the events that led to the death of the “Coruña” supporter.

Investigation made clear - both Jimmy and the other supporter who survived - were thrown into the river by the same group of aggressors in the space of 43 seconds. Although the judge freed the first 4 accused of the murder, he upheld the accusation of involvement in the brawl.

On 18th December, the judge sentenced 3 alleged perpetrators to prison without bail, although none admitted their involvement in the events during their statement to the Magistrate.

Five days later, the Judge ordered a fourth person arrested in Valencia in to prison also accused of the death of Jimmy.

SEX IN PUBLIC IN MADRID

Amateur Public Sex in Madrid (Video)

Maybe more typical in Magaluf, Benidorm, or any other tourist destination on the Spanish coast notorious for controversial sexual behaviour, but this time, in the heart of Madrid

Specifically, next to the traffic lights that control the crossroads on “Calle Cea Bermudez” and “Calle Guzmán El Bueno”, by Metro station “Islas Filipinas”.
Coincidently, not far from the famous nightclubs “Penelope” and “MITTY (Cats)” and the infamous [OMG! This place opens at 6 am..] after-hours “Soniquete”. 
Regardless, the actual location chosen by this couple - of unknown nationality - to have sex in public, was well lit by lampposts and dangerously close to Madrid nightlife traffic. 
However, as seen in the video, the youngsters froze for several seconds during their blind moment of passion... while the driver jokingly threatened to "post the video on Facebook". He did. Enjoy.

This incident was witnessed by several passers by. One driver felt compelled to film the scene. This local, who by chance had stopped at the red light, took out his mobile phone, filmed the couple having sex, while encouraging them to shamelessly continue.

CLOSED: NOISY NUEVO APOLO THEATRE

The “Nuevo Apolo” Theatre, located at "Tirso de Molina", was closed by Madrid City Council for a breach of municipal regulation regarding acoustic insulation.

According the theatre management “it’s impossible to fulfil”, reported in a press conference by Carlos Lopez, director of the theatre who claimed they did have a license to operate and favourable reports from all agencies except Environment.  However it has been rumoured the cessation of activity centre is due to its lack of the necessary license.

So, due to the complaint from just one neighbour, who refused to have her apartment insulated even though it would be funded by the theatre, they proceeded to close it for not achieving the insulation of 80dB required by law, something “impossible and unnecessary” according to reports from experts.

He stated, no other theatres meet these regulations, described as "madness", with a permitted range of 65 to 70db. Along these lines, he stressed that neither “Circo Price” nor “España” Theatres meet the requirements.

On the other hand, the paradox that the “Nuevo Alcala” is a listed national heritage building, so any type of modification requires special procedures. In that sense, the theatre adapted its sound system in 2013, complying with the 35db acoustic emission limit, without soundproofing.

While waiting for the judge to "understand their situation", revoke the decision and allow them to at least comply with their planned schedule, the only options the theatre has are to change the law or include itself in the census of local Madrid Cultural Heritage members, which is not applied to them in the ordinance because of its “features and oddities”.  Regarding these, Environment argues that the second option is the only way and so they moved, but the manager of the theatre said that was initiated by the closure itself.

The planned act last night was cancelled resulting in a ticket refund, which will be the way to go if the judge doesn't allow a provisional opening.

COCAINE: 20KG SEIZED AT MADRID AIRPORT

@Policia Nacional and tax authorities intervened 20 KILOS of high purity COCAINE dissolved in cans of fruit juice at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas international airport 

During the operation 10 people were arrested: 2 in Seville and 8 in Malaga, and they seized, in addition to the drugs, 2 litres of acetone and 2 litres of solvent.

The drug in liquid state was wrapped in plastic bags hidden inside 81 cans of fruit juice with 240 ml each. Two companies were involved in the transfer of the drug, the export of the product is established in Ecuador and the importer located in the Spanish city of Cordoba.

The investigation began in December 2014 after intelligence was received regarding an international organization composed of individuals of different nationalities, who were engaged in importing cocaine hidden inside fruit juice cans.

Initial investigations found a network of members residing around Malaga, and among them a leader was identified. Shortly after it was discovered that two companies were involved in the transportation of narcotics, a Mexican, exporting the product, and another Spaniard, established in Cordoba, who was responsible for the import.

Dissolved Cocaine in Cans

During the operation, an inspection by the tax authorities allowed them to intercept a cargo at the airport camouflaged as a shipment of fruit juice likely to be related to the investigation. Examination found 17 boxes containing a total of 1,500 cans of juice of which 81 hid inside 20 kilos of cocaine dissolved with a purity of over 90%.

Once the illegal merchandise was intervened, Police officers detained 10 suspects and searched 2 properties.

Since 2011, @Policia Nacional have seized 3,200 kilos of drugs and made 1,152 arrests. This year, they have already seized 179 kilos and arrested 69 people who tried to traffic drugs through the airport.

Translated from original press release: http://www.abc.es/madrid/20150602/abci-interceptados-20kilos-cocaina-barajas-201506021033.html

#Madrid #Nightlife #Guide to #Police #Drugs #Cocaine #Busted

Thursday Nights in Madrid

Thursday Nights are Back!

Campaign launched in October aims to "recapture the magic of Thursday nights"

The Platform of Associations for Tourism, Leisure, Hospitality and Culture in the Community of Madrid will launch this October, the 'Madrid's Thursdays are Back' campaign intends to "recapture the magic, prestige, and the special appeal of Thursday nights" in the capital. More than 70 venues will take part:

The campaigners held on September 24, at the Barcelo Theatre (http://www.madridnightlife.com/teatro-barcelo), a press conference to detail the new edition of the 'return of the Madrid's Thursdays' campaign, which started on October 2 and aims to boost economic activity and social nightlife. 

As in the first edition, which was held on Thursdays in April, more than 70 entertainment and catering venues are taking part in the city of Madrid.

This new campaign promoting nightlife coincides with the start of the season and aims to boost the recovery of tourism in the city. Assisting the campaign are the Business Platform, the Community of Madrid, Madrid City Council and Mahou-San Miguel group.

The campaign will continue to offer discounts so that you can enjoy entertaining shows and music offered by the locals in varied nightlife venues. Developers seek to recover business from tourists and all those who come to Madrid to work, the figures are recovering in recent months.

At the press conference the following intervened:
Carmen Fernández González - Deputy Minister for Tourism and Culture in Madrid. 
Pedro Maria Corral - Head of the Department for Arts, Sports and Tourism. 
Javier Olmedo - President of the Platform of Associations for Tourism, Leisure, Hospitality and Culture in Madrid
Juanjo Madariaga - Grupo Mahou / San Miguel

Besides presenting this second edition of the 'Return of Madrid's Thursday' campaign, the objectives of this campaign is to promote tourism, nightlife and hospitality of Madrid that will be dealt with, recovering domestic tourism to boost Madrid's nightlife and presented the satisfaction survey data from the first campaign.