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Tag Archives: tapas bars

zombie bars

23 Thursday Feb 2023

Posted by azahar in sevilla, tapas, tapas bars

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Tags

covid, sevilla, spain, tapas bars

zombie bars

We’ve lost so many of our cherished tapas bars in Sevilla since Covid hit but what has been even worse is seeing some of our most emblematic ones being “resurrected” by corporate groups, keeping the same name and pretending they are the same bar thereby profiting from a past that doesn’t belong to them. It’s not only identity theft, it’s heritage theft. They are like zombie bars, only “alive” because the doors are still open, but the spirit and personality are gone. Empty shells living off someone else’s life-long work. It’s hard to watch. Especially with places I’ve known and loved for so many years.

And yes of course I understand it’s complicated, that some bar owners without family or close friends to take over have opted to sell their business intact and end up with a nice “retirement package”, and who can blame them? Not me. But I also know of cases of long-time bars where owners who didn’t own the property were forced out after lockdown because greedy landlords saw a chance to make a killing. Another bar was taken over after the owner committed suicide during lockdown because he didn’t see a way out after having to close for so long. Heartbreaking stories. Stories now glossed over, just like the bars have been with a slick reno job, a change of staff, smart new uniforms, etc. And reopening not only with the same name and concept but also claiming to have been with us “since 1897” (for example) when it was actually since 2021/22/23. THIS is the thing that irks so bad.

There are other stories of long time favourite bars closing during lockdown with those places taken over by new owners who did a reno, made changes, and reopened under their own name with a whole new concept. I mean that is how it goes, right? It’s still sad but it doesn’t feel like someone taking advantage, trying to cash in on someone else’s legacy.

I honestly feel it would be better to just see these beloved places close for good and then miss them forever rather than witness these ghoulish takeovers. These fucking zombie bars.

supporting local art

27 Thursday Oct 2022

Posted by azahar in sevilla, spain, tapas

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art, local art, sevilla, tapas bars

support local art

You may recall that I own a couple of prints by local artist Alfredo Rodriguez (lower right), now well-known for his colourful sketches of Sevilla façades. Well this week the boys behind La Casa del Tigre (upper left) opened a new bar called El Pantera (review coming soon!) and – I love this – chose to feature Alfredo’s work as a kind of permanent exhibit. Every wall is covered with his prints and the effect is fabulous. What a wonderful way of supporting local art and also creating a unique décor and focal point for your bar. Well done guys!

bodega soto

09 Tuesday Aug 2022

Posted by azahar in sevilla, tapas, tapas bars

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bodega soto, sevilla, tapas bars

b soto (2)

Since reopening after lockdown Bodega Soto has been run by the third generation of this macareno family, Manuel Infante Soto, who clearly has a slightly bonkers sense of humour. The bar is much more “cluttered” than previously, with all kinds of curious bric a brac, including this mini depiction of the annual almadraba tuna catch and a creepy killer doll which Manuel says came into his possession after a client said it was too scary for her to keep at home. There’s plenty more to unpack here and so I shall be back to question Manuel about the history of some of his other curios.

love when this happens

20 Wednesday Jul 2022

Posted by azahar in food & drink, gastronomy, sevilla, tapas, tapas bars

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el rincon del tito, sevilla, tapas, tapas bars

rincon tito (12)Luis, owner Luis Barceló, Jonathan & Carmen

When you stop off somewhere you’ve never been before for a quick beer (because the other bar you were going to was closed) and end up chatting with the bar owner, then stay for lunch, and then make friends, not only with the owner and staff, but also with two couples sitting at other tables, then all of us finishing with orujo chupitos together… so much fun. Delicious too. This is El Rincón del Tito, about a ten minute walk from my house. Founded in 1982. l couldn’t believe I’d never been here before. Present owner Luis Barceló has been running it for the past 15 years. He also couldn’t believe I’d  never been here before (what?? you’ve been to Eme’s and not here??). Anyhow, review going up soon on Sevilla Tapas, and yes, I will be back here soon. Love this place! Also loved the serendipity.

rincon tito (15)

just… no

18 Wednesday May 2022

Posted by azahar in sevilla, tapas bars

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

sevilla, tapas bars

just no

Estimados camareros
Por favor, no lleve vasos de agua o cerveza a las mesas de esta manera. A nadie le gusta.
Atentamente
Todo el mundo 🍻

Dear waiters
Please do not carry glasses of water or beer to tables this way. Nobody likes it.
Yours truly
Everybody🍻

It really should be a no-brainer because I mean WTAF? For the record the above photo is a “re-enactment” by Peter after our waiter brought our water glasses to the table like this. Even though his other hand was free. And like… gaaaahhh. I mean, these guys go on to pick up dirty plates and glasses, give tables a wipe with the icky yellow cloth and then keep serving food without washing their hands. The LEAST they can do is not smear the rim of your drinking glass with whatever gack is stuck to their hands. Sadly still a not infrequent occurrence here in Sevilla.

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