British tourists in Spanish party hotspots will be unable to buy alcohol after 9.30pm from today, as a fresh booze ban in holiday destinations beloved by Brits kicks in.
The clampdown on late night alcohol sales will mean fun-loving holidaymakers from the UK can only purchase their favourite tipple between the hours of 8am and 9.30pm.
The ban applies to commercial establishments in Llucmajor, Palma and Calvia in Mallorca and Sant Antoni in Ibiza – some of the most popular party hubs in Europe.
It was introduced by the government of the Balearic Islands in a bid to crack down on so-called low quality tourism and will be enforced until at least December 2027.
In its announcement of the ban, the government wrote that the ‘correct interpretation’ was that ‘commercial establishments’ have to be completely closed and cannot simply shut display cases.
Late night sales of booze will be banned in Ibiza (pictured) and Mallorca
Tourists dancing at an Ibiza nightclub. The clampdown on late night alcohol sales will mean fun-loving holidaymakers from the UK can only purchase their favourite tipple between the hours of 8am and 9.30pm
People pictured dancing while drinking in a pool at a nightclub in Ibiza
The ban was introduced by the government of the Balearic Islands in a bid to crack down on so-called low quality tourism and will be enforced until at least December 2027 (pictured: drinkers at The Punta Ballena Strip in Magaluf)
Tourists seen walking on the street at in Magaluf
Tourists pictured dancing at the popular Punta Ballena strip in Magaluf in June 2019. Late night drinking is now banned in the area from today
Drinking after 9.30pm is set to be banned in Llucmajor, Palma and Calvia in Mallorca and Sant Antoni in Ibiza. Meanwhile Binibeca Vell in Menorca is considering banning rowdy tourists altogether after a string of incidents
It also banned party boats from being within one nautical mile of any of these destinations, and they are banned from picking up an disembarking passengers in this area.
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The BBC reported that the decree, an expansion of a 2020 law, was pushed at the request of local authorities.
And British tourists have reacted angrily on social media, declaring Spain ‘closed for business’.
Shay said: ‘Only the Spanish and Italians will suffer since they don’t even go out for the evening until 9 or 10!’
Phillip Oaks added: ‘I thought that was all these places were about. They’ll be crying when the tourists go elsewhere.’
Another posted: ‘Spain is closed for business. Other countries are available.’
Some users pointed out that the late night ban would not stop thirsty Brits from starting a session slightly earlier in the day.
One said: ‘They’re usually wasted by 9.30pm anyhows.’
British tourists have reacted angrily on social media, declaring Spain ‘closed for business’
And another added: ‘8am to 9.30pm session. They’ll regret this ha.’
The end of late night boozing in some of the busiest spots for British tourists comes after a Menorca holiday village, currently soaring in popularity, threatened to ban rowdy Brits completely.
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Binibeca Vell, dubbed the ‘Spanish Mykonos’, is set to receive one million tourists this year after its popularity boomed on social media.
But locals have hit back at bad behaviour from visitors with one claiming ‘they went into homes’, ‘sat on chairs’ and ‘climb on our walls’.
The fishing village, which is famous for its unusual whitewashed walls, previously told tourists to only visit between 11am and 8pm so they could enjoy their breakfasts.
In a post on the village’s website, locals also asked vistors to refrain from ‘entering homes’ and ‘climbing balconies’.
The message included a series of pictures showing one tourist splayed out on a stairwell and another sitting in a chair belonging to one of the locals.
Óscar Monge, who runs a group representing Binibeca Vell’s 195 property owners, told the Guardian: ‘Binibeca Vell is not a place of adventure, but it’s a private housing development where people reside.’
‘If the administration continues to leave us abandoned, in August we’ll carry out a vote among owners on whether we should close up the development,’ he added.
Óscar Monge, who runs a group representing Binibeca Vell’s 195 property owners, told the Guardian: ‘Binibeca Vell is not a place of adventure, but it’s a private housing development where people reside.’
Mr Monge explained that the main problem is the Spanish authorities who residents believe are not doing enough to tackle the issues with tourists.
Binibeca Vell, which is popular with Brits, is set to receive one million tourists this year after its popularity boomed on social media
In a post on the village’s website, locals also asked vistors to refrain from ‘entering homes’ and ‘climbing balconies’
Locals have complained about the bad behaviour of visitors with one claiming ‘they went into homes’, ‘sat on chairs’ and ‘climb on our walls’
Last year, residents began to hit back, requesting tourists only visit the fishing village – which is famous for its whitewashed walls – between 11am and 8pm
Begoña Mercadal, head of tourism for Menorca told the El Diario newspaper that residents would be able to close their village to tourists if they wished.
She said: ‘We fully acknowledge that it is private property and, therefore, if they want to close it, that is their right.’
Binibeca Vell residents were given £12,850 by the government last year to help deal with rubbish removal but the deal has not been renewed.