First week back in Spain

[Keith and Jen]

We live near the GA market site on Avda. Escandinavia and don't have a vehicle so rely on the circular bus.
The bus runs from 10:00 then every 40 minutes until 13:20 (14:00 Saturday).  So we haven't discovered anything about the GA Centro restaurants.

We arrived on 6th Jan. and when we looked for a local restaurant, Dunbars seemed to be the only one open. We opened the door and were hit by a massive wall of 'music'. It was VERY LOUD although there were many people in there. We escaped to 'Et Tu Gusto' a couple of doors away and had very pleasant chicken in mushroom sauce.

Another day we tried 'Ohana gastro bar' (where the GA's best 'Gran Mundo' used to be).  Very good, worth a visit.  'La Piedra' was open Tuesday night.  Also very good. Refurbished since we were last there over two years ago.  English staff.  Only signs in English in the restaurant area. Generous portions. Very quiet.

We were only asked for proof of vaccination in one of the restaurants and had to go back to the house to get the certificates (we don't use smartphones).

For the first time in ages our Internet connection was working when we arrived. It used to need advance notice and a face-to-face discussion with disinterested office staff and took a couple of days before it was working.  Now Avatel have taken over from Flexicable and it's a much better service.

When getting a 'pensionista' bus ticket at Santa Pola bus station I was asked for proof of age. Luckily my driving licence was sufficient.

People had face masks in buses, shops and restaurants but on the streets it seemed about 50/50.  I saw no-one on our Urb. wearing a mask.

Some retail outlets seem to prefer contact cards rather than cash.  We are glad that we took up John Hannan's suggestion three or four years ago regarding the use of the Transferwise (now Wise) debit card.  It is so simple and useful. https://wise.com 
We have for many years used TransferWise to send money to Spain so already had an account.
"Other International debit cards are available".

The Gran Alacant Market was held this morning. Usual fruit and veg. stalls otherwise very thin.  Maybe a couple of dozen other stalls.  No churos (boo hoo) only toasted sandwiches. The roast chicken van was there. Everyone wearing masks. Cold wind.

Keith

[Mallard]

Thanks for this information.

[NickiH]

January has always been really quiet. Think most restaurants are closed in January and  most of February. Surprised you have to show a covid passport to get into restaurants. Didn’t think Spain had followed other European countries on this. But a good idea 

[martin]

Thanks for info. Down at the GA centre the only pubs/restaurants open in evening seem to be Infernum, the American Bar and Get Fresh. In Masa square very little happening. The Pub, PatagonianSteakhouse, Indian and Chippy. Belfry may be open at certain times. Carabasi - Mollys, Shooters, Reds, Jolly Roger, Aquarius, Indian, Tres Besos.

Been coming here 17 years and while January is always quiet I have never seen it this quiet. I imagine some places are closing early if there is no trade. Was in Masa Sq last night for a meal in the Patagonian - it was the only please open at 9.30.

I do hope things will get better for local businesses.

[Jocla]

Thought I would add my experiences onto this very informative thread from Keith and Jen .  I spent just over 3 weeks in Gran Alacant and can confirm it is very quiet.  However, if you go to certain bars and restaurants on certain days you can still enjoy some ‘atmosphere’ ie other people!
Molly Malones ...still doing karaoke on Friday evenings and Sunday lunches .  The sunny terrace is still a good bet for the last of the sun.
Shooters... pretty quiet but I believe the football pulls in some punters depending on what’s showing.
Jolly Roger.... quiz on a Thursday evening quite busy.  They are also starting karaoke on Saturdays .  Been taken over by a very nice Irish couple .  Good luck to them .
Redz... open from 5 pm .  Quiet but with good music videos and pool table.
I think tres Besos is closed for holidays.

In Masa square, Skippers is closed for holidays but you can find Tipsy Tapas on Tuesday at 1pm in the Belfry and they continue to offer Sunday buffet lunch .
Azafran and Patagonia were open and I enjoyed good food and lovely wine in the Chill out Grill.

London Tavern is closed for holidays .  Maritaos is undergoing huge refurbishment so will try that next time.

Gran Mundo was open but Hatsikidee closed for holidays .

Also enjoyed a Sunday afternoon in Santa Pola ....lunch then live music at st James along the port .  Great band and atmosphere sitting outside in the sun (wrapped up tho !)

Certainly enjoyed my time here and hope to get out again maybe March/April.  Hopefully, things can improve for the businesses here .

Asked for covid passport in nearly all places.  I downloaded mine from NHS website and selected the international one .

[wilson]

I agree that Dec/Jan up to February half term is always quiet in GA, due mostly to the over expansion of restaurants and bars without the resident numbers to keep them open and reliance on non residents and holidaymakers. If you go to Santa Pola, Guardamar or Alicante they are significantly busier. Hopefully by Easter things will be picking up.

[kevinb]

We are in GA at the moment, have this morning taken photo of the hotel wreck, demolition still going on, everything levelled, even the newish bits. Was talking to a bar owner last night , was telling me that her electricity and water bills have doubled, I bought a fresh bottle of gas for our portable gas heater, was nearly €21.