Do you mind me asking how long the lease is for and do you also have to pay rent?

BTW Fred, got to be La Duquesa or just possibly Estepona...

25 mins to Estepona is likely to get you a speeding ticket

6 years renewable, we lease the premises.

I'd have to believe that in any country, major cities, tourist resorts and expat communities would facilitate far greater chances of success for bars, particularly those run by expats.

The 'vast majority' of Spain is hardly comprised of major cities, tourist resorts and expat areas.

I have to believe location is indeed a critical consideration for any would-be bar owner - especially in Spain.

The marinas along the Southern Costa del Sol are generally havens for expats and tend to get busy at weekends and especially Sunday lunchtime.

However unlike 35 years ago when they were very much Spanish orientated they are now over the top with Chinese establishments.

Much more succinct - cities, tourist resorts and expat communities now seem excluded from your 'out of bounds' answer. This will come as some relief to potential bar buyers, as I suggest 90% of them will be looking in suh areas for their purchase and will subsequently have 'far greater success' as you agree.

Isn't it amazing how such an apparently negative answer can be brought around with a little digging and a little less off the cuff emotion.

Off topic... but are there any times it is best to avoid crossing the border at the moment?

A bars success is not only where it is but also what they provide and of course the person running the bar too.

For example, a new bar opened in my town about 7 years ago, they aimed for the parent and children patrons and put in play equipment hoping to gain clients for birthday parties etc. They closed after almost a year. The place was empty for some time and then three years ago two sisters decided that they would have a try, they removed the play equipment, sold drinks and bocadillos. Everyone thought that they were mad and all said very negative things about it but they have not only survived but have a good customer base and they are always busy.

Another example is that another family bought the play equipment and set up a large bar in another part of town and they have been 100% successful too.

By the way there are only 3000 residents in the town and there are numerous bars but these two in particular are doing extremely well when all predicted that they would not.

Rosemary

In Britain there are some areas in the countryside where there are lots of 2nd home owners. In such places local pubs and shops are closing because there simply aren't enough people around. That's true of Spain too.

But are there not plenty of successful bars in almost every town you go in? There are plenty where I live and plenty everywhere I go when I jump in the car for a bit of a road trip.

Do you struggle to get a beer or coffee when out and about? Sure, some will close, but many are long established.

I know.

It doesn't surprise me that a cheaply acquired and carefully run bar in (somewhere like)La Duquesa can succeed although there's loads of competition there.

Well done - and good luck for the future.

Go in early about 9 or just after leave before 3

Back on topic
It has always surprised me how some bars in the most obscure places in Spain not only survive but are do very well.
Restaurants on small industrial estates with very few local punters thriving at night etc.

Your post seemed to pretty clearly suggest that location isn't an issue. I was only pointing out that it most certainly is an important consideration for any bar business. If you feel that's negative, then that's your prerogative.

But as you seem to have clarified that most people aspiring to open a bar would naturally only do it a major city, tourist resort, or expat area, I stand corrected.

Glad to hear it, I wish you both every success, you have obviously got the mix spot on.
We had 5 good sized hotels 1 minute walk away, their introduction of all inclusive schemes that summer brought an immediate decline in trade for all of us, We changed from a bar/cafe to Pizzeria and the place continued to tick over on evenings only, but we had largely lost interest and my telecoms contract work had expanded. We sold at a horrendous loss in 2013...........

Keep up the good work................
M

There are a couple from Sth London running a bar in the centre of Gandia (where expat numbers have gone way down the last few years) they have been doing good business for nearly 10 years now to a mainly Spanish clientèle........but the odds are, that most will fail.

Please tell me which bar and which street and I will give them a visit, just for the hell of it!