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Date Published: 23/11/2023

Iconic El Tintero beach bar in Torrevieja torn down

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The traditional kiosk has held pride of place in the Costa Blanca seaside town for 80 years

Iconic El Tintero beach bar in Torrevieja torn down

The owners of the Kiosco El Tintero on Torrevieja’s beach front have been in and out of court for the last 12 years in a desperate attempt to save this decades-old building, but the last of their appeals have been exhausted and the coastal authorities (Costas) will begin tearing it down on Thursday November 23.

El Tintero is as much a part of the Costa Blanca resort’s landscape as the salt lakes or lagoon. More than 80 years ago, the grandfather of the current owners opened the kiosk as a place to dye fishing gear, hence the name. It’s since transitioned into one of Torrevieja’s best-known bar-restaurants, jutting out over the Mediterranean and serving some of the tastiest seafood around.

“We have been fighting for 12 years to prevent this. We don’t want anyone to come in with hammers and break down the door. The place and the history of the kiosk, the memory of our grandfather who started it, does not deserve it. Although we are no longer ready to open it, we believe that there is still a possibility that its structure will remain standing. It is very sad that it is lost. But that is something that is up to the Torrevieja City Council,” one of the owners said.

The future of the kiosk has caused a great divide between Costas, who argue that private economic activity can’t be carried out on a public plot, and the Torrevieja council, which wants to preserve the building for its historical value.

Until now, Costas has been prevented from tearing the structure down by the council’s battle to have it declared an Asset of Local Relevance. In fact, a report in favour of this was actually commissioned last June but it hasn’t arrived in time to save the building.

Now, the family has no idea what will become of their legacy, as it’s not clear whether the management of the Costa plans to limit itself to removing the awnings and other added structures, or will go on to completely demolish the kiosk.

“We don’t know either,” mayor Eduardo Dolon said the day before the work began.

In other news: Major housing development approved along the ‘last unspoilt spot’ on the Orihuela Costa seafront

Image: Kiosco El Tintero

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