Bar Torino To Close

21st June 2022

John Parker

Updated:

30th January 2024

This will be a blow to many as, after 22 years, Bar Torino on Playa de la Concha (the main lagoon beach) will close due to a dispute with the council.

It is the only beach bar in El Cotillo and has become a big part of life in Cotillo.

This is a message on the bar’s Facebook page:

“Hello to everyone. This is breaking our hearts to share this news. After 22 years we are having to close forever. As you may know Bar Torino is a Town Hall concession. There has been an ongoing disagreement concerning our contract and they have finally given us an ultimatum. Go, or we will dismantle and fine you.

It is time for others to carry on where we left off.

We cannot begin to thank each and every one of you, our wonderful guests, friends, families.

Thank you to every single person that has worked with us. Without you all, we would not have had this amazing journey.

So many memories, it is impossible to put it into words. Just heart felt appreciation, we really mean it.. Thank you.”

That is a great shame for the Torino family – Torino, Michelle and their daughters. Not to forget their staff either.

The bar may remain under new management if the town hall can agree with someone else.

We will see.

Bar Torino To Close 1 — Bar Torino as it was many years ago

John Parker( Site Owner )

I have been holidaying in Fuerteventura for over 30 years and first came to El Cotillo 23 years ago. I owned an apartment in El Cotillo for 10 years and now live with my wife, Sue, and dog, Jenson, just 5 miles away. El Cotillo is my favourite place in Fuerteventura.

15 responses to “Bar Torino To Close”

Peter Hayes

21st June 2022

Soo very sad on your closing I last visited just before Christmas its been an institution a place I visit for near 20 years soo sorry Peter

Reply
Manfred

23rd June 2022

Irgendwie bekommt es die Gemeinde La Oliva immer wieder hin, ein Stück der Ursprünglichkeit von El Cotillo und den umliegenden Dörfern systematisch zu zerstören (man erinnert sich in El Cotillo an den geplanten Club Med im Naturschutzgebiet oder die jetzige Idee eines Campingplatzes -der sicherlich erforderlich ist – auch im Parc Natural. Was für ein Schwachsinn. Offensichtlich werden alle gesetzlichen Auflagen außer Kraft gesetzt, wenn ausreichend Geld fliesst…in die richtigen Taschen! Ohne die tatsächlichen Hintergründe über den Entzug der Konzession für Torino zu kennen…verdammt schade, denn tolles Essen zu einem akzeptablen Preis, serviert von einem klasse Team und Chef. Torino, wir werden die Gambas al Ajillo zum Sonnenuntergang vermissen. Dir und Deinen Leuten für die Zukunft alles Gute und DANKE. Manfred

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1. JP in Fuerteventura
  
  24th June 2022
  
  Ich stimme Manfred zu
  
  Reply
Malcolm

25th June 2022

Just plain wrong Torino. Hypocracy and political b/s at it’s worst.

Come back better and stronger my friend. I know that you can

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Zoey Fendt

4th July 2022

So upset to find Bar Torino gone. We have been coming for many years and it was so busy in December we were happy you survived Covid-19 so this is terrible news.

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1. JP in Fuerteventura
  
  5th July 2022
  
  Crazy (and corrupt) local mayor and politicians.
  
  Reply
Don Roberto´s Finca Paraíso

23rd August 2022

what terrible news and shows us that the community simply has no understanding of culture. Bar Tronio was more than a bar, it was an integral part of El Cotillo! We at Don Roberto’s Finca Paraíso have recommended this place to our guests and everyone has been very happy. We wish you all the best.

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Chris Bullock

26th September 2022

We have been staying in El Cotillo every year for the past 18, (1 gap during Covid).
Bar Torino was the first place we looked for in our first year after reading an article that told Michelle and Torino’s story and described it as a bucket list destination for travellers. I have always made it a point to visit and despair over the council’s decision on this.
Just wrong!

Lots of love and thanks to Torino, Michelle and the whole family.

Chris and Deb

Reply
1. JP in Fuerteventura
  
  26th September 2022
  
  Crazy isn’t it Chris. It was a part of Cotillo.
  
  Reply
terence smith

13th November 2022

I have been going to cotillo for many years at xmas and I always visit bar torino. I love it there for a cold beer and a bite to eat. I would have thought it would be in the councils interest to keep it open because it attracts tourists. ( isn’t fuerte a tourist island?) Still I don’t understand the politics. Shame to see it go. Terry.

Reply
1. JP in Fuerteventura
  
  14th November 2022
  
  Politicians = morons
  
  Reply
Paul & Julie Elsegood

3rd February 2023

This is very sad news and I hope the council come to realise what a
loss to their tourist industry their decision will prove to be.

We certainly hope there will a long term solution for you but in the meantime
it’s a pity all the disappointed customers can’t contribute to a communication
with the council

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1. JP in Fuerteventura
  
  5th February 2023
  
  Politicians simply don’t care
  
  Reply
Danielle Epps

2nd May 2023

Utter madness!!
A delightful thriving business! Bar Torino was fantastic. El Cotillo is my favourite place in Fuerteventura although I have a place in Caleta de Fuste.
We visited Bar Torino every time we came to Fuerteventura (20yrs).
Sadly missed 🙁

Reply
1. JP in Fuerteventura
  
  2nd May 2023
  
  A few weeks ago the mayor of La Oliva announced they were putting out to tender across La Oliva 4 beach bars and I think 3 sunbed hire licences (which they also got rid of). In the post they stated that Torinos and the other beach bars in Corralejo they removed were illegal. But the liars originally said that they removed them on environmental grounds. I said at the time in my video that there would be more to it than that as they are corrupt so there would be a way of them making money out of it. I am right. Torino commented on the town hall’s Facebook post telling the mayor, Pilar, that his business wasn’t illegal as he had an 8 year license signed by her father, Domingo, a previous corrupt mayor which he could show her.
  
  Reply