Who thinks selling up and moving to Spain to run a bar is a good idea?

Question

If you look at Lee C's answer Jonathon you'll see what an intelligent and informative answer looks like.

Answer 1

I had a bar in the Canary Islands. Let me tell you it is hard, hard, work.  First of all it is not great like having a holiday, a holiday gives you this relaxed rose tinted glasses opinion of life in Spain. Owning a bar is far from relaxing. If it is a small bar or a big bar these tips apply to both.

You can expect to work 8am to between 12 and 3am 7 days a week.

You need some Spanish language skills to deal with suppliers.

Working with family will be a big strain on your relationships.

Employing people - that's if you can afford it, eats into your profits and you need eyes in the back of your head.

Have at least £3000 a month for the first 12 months as capital - you will need it! (excluding takings!!)

Be prepared for jealousy and dirty tricks from other bar owners - especially other English Bar owners!!

Don't look for a day off in the first 6 months!

Cater for families as well - free kids soft drinks (squash etc) attract trade, kids can have as many as those as they like cos there free! (cheap night for parents)

Happy Hours are good mid aftertoon 2-7pm!

Try not to change the bar you buy too much, if takings are good people must like the bar for a reason!

Don't let an estate agent hurry you, bars DONT sell quick so theres not 3 other buyers waiting - visit the bar several times,  day and night to see what trade is like.

Use a lawyer and get all the paperwork checked, seen and verified.

If you survive 12 months, things will get better and you are likely to succeed.  Above all no matter how bad things may be, always be polite and happy infront of customers, people are on holiday to have fun and enjoy themselves they want a happy atmosphere.  I'll certainly be opening another bar in Spain in the future, even though its hard work, it IS a great life!

Answer 2

dont, spains cops r relly stupid and dont care about the law, if smthing happens in ur bar, they wont care

+in spain, bars r diff, u dont hav 2 b 18 2 enter

Answer 3

depends where cos i live in the south and most are either closed for winter or up for sale. this year has been ssooo quiet

hows your Spanish as you will have all the paper work and anything to do with the business will be in Spanish,organise phones,deliveries all in Spanish plus you will need a lot of money to start as everything will have to be cash for the 1st twelve months

Answer 4

I totally agree with Lee C, many Brits seem to see selling up and/or retiring to Spain to open a bar as idyllic and I can't see why. To compete with the local (Spanish) bars you need to be open at least 18 hours a day, you definitely need to speak Spanish, and the paperwork is a nightmare, Please make sure you have a good lawyer, not the one recommended by the Estate Agent, who speaks English and specialises in commercial law. You will need to have a food handling licence if you sell food, if you don't you'll struggle to make money, and above all please take enough money to live for at least two years before you even get on a plane. Sorry if this all sounds depressing but you stand to lose all your money if you don't know what you're doing. There are plenty of ex Brit bar owners who can testify to this.

If you know what you're doing, have the money, speak Spanish and are prepared to work very long hours you could have a good life, there is money to be made but I think there are easier ways. GOOD LUCK

Answer 5

With the relaxation of laws over prostitution and an influx of South American girls a brothel it’s a better financial investment

Answer 6

Sounds too much like hard work.

Answer 7

Why do people ask questions on here and then not give enough information for anyone to give an intelligent answer.

I CAN'T ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, SPORT... because I haven't a CLUE what you are selling, how much money you will have for your venture and WHERE in SPAIN you want to open your bar.

Answer 8

It is not easy, there are too many bars already and  most of the news bars close in a few months because  there  are a lot of fierce competitors.

Also  bureaucracy,  language and long hours., drunks and druggies or potheads... fights... it is not a sweet life. One of my friends opened a bar in Salamanca and he sold his part on the business ASAP because he didn't like the atmosphere of the nightlife.

Answer 9

I could not think of any thing worse.The bar would be full of Brits and if i were to move to another country it would be to get away from the Brits.Now if it were a quaint taverna in a pituresque Spanish town serving the Spanish only I would love it.I'm a Brit but I don't want them peed up in my bar.

Answer 10

Great idea, but be sure you have all the rules/regs, etc. under your belt.

Even doing that within the US is a risky proposition.

Make sure you've done ALL your homework, know the economic climate where you want to set up, can really make a living, etc.  You don't want to sell everything, invest in something in Spain, and then wind up broke.

Buena Suerte

Answer 11

I've seen several people do this, blow their life savings and end up regretting it. You should only consider it if you are experienced in running a bar in the first place, if you can speak Spanish fluently, if you have researched the area where the bar is and its ALL YEAR ROUND trade and you have sufficient financial reserves to cover the times when custom will be very scarce i.e. winter.

Answer 12

only if you -

1. speak Spanish

2. know how to run a bar

3. have the capital to do so

4. don't mind wiping your bum and then putting the paper in a bin.

Answer 13

Sounds good if you like hard work with little returns - depends what kind of bar and where, remembering that most of Spain closes from October to April unless it Teneriff and even at that you wont get much business. If you go ahead with it you MUST have a Spanish lawyer who deals with this and speaks English. Years ago it used to be cheap to buy in Spain but prices have risen and lots of Brits want out because it is hard work. I have a friend who done that years ago and she married a Spaniard and they have 3 bars but struggle financially. Good Luck.

Answer 14

think of the totty

Answer 15

Sounds good to me.X

Answer 16

I'D RATHER SELL UP AND TOAST MY *** ON THE BEACH ALL DAY.RUNNING A BAR TOO MUCH TROUBLE,LONG HOURS,LAGER LOUTS ETC.TROUBLE IS I AINT GOT FECK ALL TO SELL UP.