Thread: Starting a bar in Malaga

Your advice is extremely helpful. My second quest in my big move is to start a bar. I have read on a number of sources that bars in Spain are not really worth while, ecspecially new ones. I can understand this but I am not coming to Spain to make my fortune, simply want to live a normal and less stress filled life.

Do you know what documents I need to work for myself in Spain and would it be possible to find a bar/empty premises to convert into a bar. I am bringing €100k with me to Spain for this venture alone and honestly do not expect to a good return in at leat 2 years. Is this plain stupid or worth a shot.

Morning JeanPierre,

Allow me to provide you some insight and advice...

Originally Posted by JeanPierre

Your advice is extremely helpful. My second quest in my big move is to start a bar. I have read on a number of sources that bars in Spain are not really worth while, ecspecially new ones.

Don't always believe what you read - especially not online. Or said differently, make sure you put everything into perspective before you use such information to jump to conclusions for yourself.

I used to be shocked to see how online expat communities are really fast at condemning bar and restaurant businesses. After writing my eBook last year (Survive the Crisis in Spain) and researching this more thoroughly, I have come to the conclusion that:

a) Chances are high that those providing negative reviews on the bar and restaurant businesses have had a bad experience i.e. failed!

b) Most people have very different ideas (mentally) when they talk about bars and restaurants. So while one person thinks of English beer and chips and loud TV others think quality local tapas and San Miguel - get what I mean?

c) Those with successful experiences probably hardly have the time to come online and give advice...

I can understand this but I am not coming to Spain to make my fortune, simply want to live a normal and less stress filled life.

The hospitality industry tends to NOT be a stress-free life... With the crisis in Spain, this is on the rise as you compete for market with others...

Do you know what documents I need to work for myself in Spain and would it be possible to find a bar/empty premises to convert into a bar.

Take your time to read the following articles...

Businesses for sale in Spain
Buying a Business in Spain

Regarding finding empty premises in Spain it depends on area. To give you an example, in Barcelona city no new licenses have been issued for years now. In Malaga I don't know but I can assume that your chances "might" be higher of doing this. Then again I wouldn't generally recommend it... Also read this:

Leasehold versus Freehold businesses

I am bringing €100k with me to Spain for this venture alone and honestly do not expect to a good return in at leat 2 years. Is this plain stupid or worth a shot.

Before you try "stupid" or "worth a shot" and spend your 100,000€ get my eBook!

Thanks Greg

I am very thankful for your advice, I will be sure to investigate it further with the reading material you provided. I can understand that the hospitality industry could be stressful, but I am pretty sure it is pretty far behind the stress that I get at the moment...

Well Malaga is my first option, but then again I am not entirely clued up on the other regions of Spain...sounds to me like I have to take a month holiday from work to explore lol..

Thanks again

Hi Jean Pierre.

From a financial planning perspective you really, really have to spend some time here. Such decisions cannot be made from afar no matter how much you read!

The suggested month on the ground will pay dividends!

Hi,
I am most definately going to pay Malaga a visit, ill most likely move it up to April as I do not want to be cought up in the whole tourist hustle and bustle that June and July brings.

I agree with you but I think its pretty good preparation reading what others have to say, I dont think I want to have a heart attack before I move lol.

Thanks for the info you sent me, I am sure to save your details.

Best of Luck!

The golden rule to all of this is 'Buy with your head and not with your heart'!

Far too many people get that the wrong way around ... and then wonder why there are problems!

I had the experience of running a restaurant in Spain (Costa Blanca).
This was back 8 years ago. It was a very hard experience. This was in "spanish area" very few foreigners, and this time you could notice how "narrow minded" most of the spanish people are. Never mind, we sol the restaurand 8 month later. Thanks God....

Originally Posted by JeanPierre

Hi,
I am most definately going to pay Malaga a visit, ill most likely move it up to April as I do not want to be cought up in the whole tourist hustle and bustle that June and July brings.

I agree with you but I think its pretty good preparation reading what others have to say, I dont think I want to have a heart attack before I move lol.

Thanks for the info you sent me, I am sure to save your details.

Just a thought - where I live in Fuengirola they are advertising bars "rent before you buy". There are a couple of agencies here who advertise in the local English papers offering people to just rent a bar for a short time to see if they actually like it before they take the plunge and buy. Sounds good to me and then you would know before you started putting your money into it. Try looking on the web at www.SurinEnglish.com and go to their classified sections. Good luck.

try [Please read the guidelines] r just put bars for sale in spain into google and give you list of websites that sell bars and businesses