COSTA DEL CALM
Benidorm’s iconic Tiki bar is open after coronavirus lockdown… but iconic strip is still eerily quiet
BENIDORM'S legendary Tiki Beach bar is back in business after Spain's coronavirus lockdown, but the once heaving strip is still eerily quiet.
The famous Costa Blanca watering hole - now re-named Aloha Beach Bar - is said to have taken over a bar next door so holidaymakers can enjoy their booze whilst maintaining a sensible distance.
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Footage of the deserted strip has immerged, showing empty bar terraces and silent streets.
The video of the usually packed-out strip shows just how hard the party spot has been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sizzling pavements awash with boozed-up holidaymakers seem to be a distant memory for this part of Spain as the streets fall silent.
Spain imposed a strict lockdown following the spread of the coronavirus, which has killed more than 27,000 people.
In September 2o18, judges had ordered the closure of the ‘controversial’ fun pub devastating thousands of holidaymakers and fun-loving locals.
The hugely-popular bar was ordered to close "for good" following years of complaints from bleary-eyed neighbours.
It was a massive favourite with Brits for daytime as well as evening boozing until the courts called time on the bar.
SILENT STREETS
But in March last year the bar reopened without an official name, with former England and Spurs ace Paul Gascoigne seen partying with boozers there in July
Today, Jacqui Perkins, who runs Facebook group Benidorm & Costa Blanca News & Information Forum, announced the bar formerly known as Tiki Beach had taken over the bar next to it.
Jackqui posted: "So some news for you all.
"Tiki is extending!!! Taken over next door so they’ll have a HUGE terrace... shouldn’t be such a problem with social distancing now."
HOLIDAY FAVOURITE
But Brits will have to wait longer, as they will only open to Spanish holidaymakers for now and no dates have been given for when international visitors could return.
The country has faced one of the strictest lockdowns in Europe, banning all outdoor activity - which has only recently started to lift with children under 14 allowed outside for one hour a day.
Spain's PM Pedro Sanchez has revealed a six-week plan to get business and social life back on track, based around four phases.
A preparatory phase zero which officially kicks in Monday will be followed by three recovery phases which would see beaches reopened to the general public on June 8 if all goes to plan.
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Meanwhile, bars across Spain are being forced to sell up at massively reduced prices after suffering huge losses due to coronavirus.
This month, it was reported bar owners have dropped the prices of their establishments as much as £40,000 to try to sell quickly and move on, according to .
Earlier this month, a pair of Brits recreated Aloha Bar in their back garden during coronavirus lockdown.
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A snap shared on social media shows the incredible set-up tacked onto the back of the house.
Spain’s Supreme Court had ordered the Benidorm bar to serve its last pint after a lengthy dispute with neighbours about an alleged “noise disturbance” in April 2016.
But the bar’s owners initially refused to go peacefully, and launched an appeal to keep the venue running.
Some Brits who had no idea about its closure were left mourning the loss of their favourite boozer after stumbling across its locked doors.
It eventually reopened again in March last year.
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Eerie ghost town scenes in Benidorm during Spain's coronavirus lockdown