Mayhem Sean

Hi All,

I'm looking for a bit of advice from the ex-pat residents based in either Mallorca or Menorca. I'm considering a move to the islands for the summer as work over here in Ireland, doing what I do, is pretty much non existent (call it a mid-life crisis if you will ).

Before I consider driving the 1000 miles and 2 ferries I was wondering If you guys and gals would have any idea of pub, club or hotel owners who might be interested in a non resident entertainer who offers:

• Mobile Fun Casino Nights
• Specialist DJ (60's, DISCO, 80's, 90's, Indie/Alt, 00's and General Party)
• Karaoke Host
• Poker Nights

The main benefit (Other than being the best at what I do (Sorry)) is that I'd bring all my own equipment and don't need accommodation.

Anyway, just wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction please.

Many thanks in advance,

Sean

Rosemary

As Concierge for the Spanish section of BE I would like to say hello and welcome.

BE is a very large expat website, so if you have problems finding your way around we have concierges who will try to direct you. The moderators for the Spanish forums are Mitzyboy and Fred James, moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderador who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the issues of living in Spain. At the top of the page you will find a quirkily named thread called Free Beer which is full of important and useful information. Hope you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

Rosemary

Madridboy

For a kick off, any type of poker or casino activity, fun or not, will end you up in a whole lot of legal trouble which will very likely land you with a large fine or prison time or both.....learn the law before it's too late. As for your other ideas you'd maybe be better suited to Benidorm.

Mayhem Sean

Thanks, there is no "betting" with mobile fun casinos, the customer is given free chips with every drink they buy, they play these chips on the tables, they can then cash these chips in at the end of the night for either free drink the next time they come in or pub/club branded merchandise like tshirts etc. It's completely legal as have been running them for many years in Ireland where the laws on gambling and alcohol together are pretty strict; stricter than most eu countries even, so trust me, research has been done.

As for benidorm.... Can I ask why you suggest this? I've been several times to Menorca and Mallorca hence why I'm suggesting them.

Trixie_b

Sorry i can't help you, but i will say that I had friends who lived and worked in Mallorcia, (the wife is from there).

Over the last 3 years or so, the work just dried up, especially for him who had a job tied to hotels and the tourist trade. They moved back to the UK, leaving their house of 10 years.

My suggestion would be to get onto tripadvisor, look at bars, and hotels and contact them individually to see what interest you get.

Even if you front the cost of a holiday, to find employment while youre there, you might find it more cost effective than just showing up with all your equipment.

amideislas

For every one of you with the above skill set, there are 10 others that have many years reputation built, yet struggle to keep working during the 3 months of high season.

And if you think Mallorca is challenging, Menorca will be even more so.

If you want to live in Mallorca (or Spain for all intents), bring the money with you 'cause you ain't likely to get it here.

Fredbargate

Irish law applies in Ireland

Spanish law applies in Spain

In Portugal :- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23036182

Twenty-eight British and Irish expats and holiday-makers have been fined after police in Portugal caught them playing bingo for biscuits and drinks.

Mayhem Sean

Thanks, some useful advice.

Mayhem Sean

....ok, could you quantify that for me? You own(ed) a bar or You are (were) a DJ/entertainer but it didn't work etc. Because from your answer all I'm getting is a 'don't bother' attitude.

Whilst I appreciate you're tag puts you in Menorca and, one can only assume you have a knowledge of the tourism sector, rather than whinging about how tough it is to work and live in Spain, can you provide me with some constructive feedback and facts.

I do take your point that it would be more difficult in Menorca than Mallorca, but please don't patronise me and my line of work. I'd like to see how many of the other entertainers you mention would consider lugging 4.5 tonnes of equipment over 1500 miles so as to earn a living. As far as reputation and experience go, I've a little over 16 years, having performed in several different countries so I'm no young upstart.

Mayhem Sean

Dare I say that Portuguese law applies to Portugal? I take your point though and have had a look at the laws. There is nothing to suggest that what I offer is in any way illegal.

mikelincs

Local Spanish authorities are likely to find something to use to close you down if they get pressure from local Spanish residents, businesses etc. They certainly made them up to close down all the car boot sales in the orihulea costa area. If Spanish businesses think you are taking trade form them, then they will pressure their relatives and friends at the town hall to do something about it. Your reading of the law and rules, and their interpretation of them are likely to be totally different.

Madridboy

Tell you what mate, ignore everyone's advice, everything over here smells of roses, come over here and next year you'll be a millionaire.
I lived and worked in Menorca and still have friends out there, as you've already been told, the place dried up a while back....and as already stated more than once...........what you're suggesting regarding the gambling IS ILLEGAL but what would all of us who already live over here know.

Mayhem Sean

Thanks for your advice.... this is the kind of advice I'm after!

Mayhem Sean

If all you want to do is insult me and have nothing constructive to add then thanks for posting.... mate!

To clarify:
I'm not naive enough to believe everything smells of roses
Not stupid enough to think that I'll make my fortune
Not thick enough to ignore good advice

I came on here to ask for constructive advice or feedback not a legal debate on my business model as the fun casino is only one part of what I do.

I understand that from the tone on this and other forums that this is probably not going to work for me but does anyone have anything positive to counter what is steadily turning into a 'don't do it' debate?

amideislas

I'm not patronising you. Open a local paper (spanish, German or English, and see how many ads for your line if work you find. Plus, others' 4.5 tonnes are already here. And you may have a good reputation in blighty, but not one club or anyone else who might hire you here has ever heard of you.

Look, if you can support yourself without work for a year, you might be able to land a few gigs. But I can tell you right now that you needed to be in-market and active 3 months ago if you wanted gigs in the 2014 high season.

And even when you arrive, you'd better be prepared to place ads and spend money travelling around, maybe even offer to do some gigs for free to get exposure, or else you'll end up just another unknown seeking some work.

And yes, I do know a bit about tourism in Mallorca. Do you speak German? You should if you want to appeal to the largest segment here. Otherwise, your market is in Magaluf, Calas de Mallorca and maybe Alcudia or Pollensa. The remaining 70% of the tourism here is largely German.