In the center of Barcelona, some restaurants – mainly on Carrer de Blay, famous for its tapas bars, and in the Eixample district – began to refuse service to diners who came alone, even if there were several empty tables in the establishment. A tourist traveling alone shared this story with the Mirror.
Barcelona’s restaurants are keen to maximize profits during the busy summer seasons and don’t want to give up seats on crowded terraces to single customers. The owners of the establishments decided to bet on groups of tourists who could order more. Waiters inform unwanted visitors that all tables are reserved, although, in reality, this is not the case.
One tourist said that he visited several establishments during the evening and was refused service at all of them, even though there were several empty tables. “I managed to get a table on one of the terraces, but the waiter came quickly and said that it was reserved. It wasn’t like that. As soon as I got up, a group of foreigners who were behind me sat down for him,” he told the newspaper.
Another waiter warned the tourist that he would only have 20 minutes to eat, while a third bluntly stated that the terrace was only for groups. Such restrictions also affect residents. Journalist Noemi Vilaseca reported that the window of restaurants reserved for tourists is getting bigger and bigger, forcing locals to dine at inconvenient times.
“It’s 4 p.m. Before entering the Museum of Modern Art of Barcelona, we want to drink coffee. It is not served to us on the terrace, because it is time for an aperitif before the tourists’ dinner,” Vilaseca wrote in July. A resident added that she had been turned away from the bar several times despite being a regular customer. Other solo customers say they end up being seated in the worst spots, such as near the toilets, to save tables with the best views for groups of tourists.
In 2022, 99 million people visited Barcelona overnight, making it one of the leading tourist destinations in Europe. Tensions between tourists and locals have also risen, with some Spaniards complaining of overcrowded streets and excessive noise. The problem is particularly acute in the Gothic quarter of the city, where narrow streets and boutiques bring visitors and locals face to face. In an attempt to solve the problem, the city announced plans to increase taxes for tourists.