Malaga Fair: Nightclubs and 'tardeo' in the Center do withstand the Fairgrounds starting at 18:00

"He wasn't dead, he was out partying." That's how you could summarize the atmosphere at the Center during the Málaga Fair after the 'closure' at six in the evening. The nightclubs and the late afternoon social scene resist the Real. Especially yesterday, coinciding with the holiday. Just a walk from the Plaza de la Constitución to the Plaza de la Merced was enough to test the social and festive atmosphere. And indeed, many chose to enjoy the big party on terraces and in party halls instead of heading to the fairgrounds in the evening.

Some miss a more popular, street and musical Fair until late in the afternoon. "We look for squares that have live music. We really like the Plaza de las Flores. In the end, you find yourself going into nightclubs and bars like any other young person. There is less and less liveliness, less atmosphere. We don't like going in at six in the afternoon. We like the street, the live music," explained Ana. For this woman from Málaga, yesterday was her first day at the Fair. "At six they sweep your feet and close the streets," she criticized. Many opted for a more relaxed version of the late afternoon social scene, accompanied by family. After the Fair ended at 18:00, Claudia and her family went to a café for an extended lunch. "We come as a family and prefer to experience the late afternoon in a more relaxed way," the young woman stated.

Alba Rivas, a 27-year-old from Catalonia, made it clear that "when it's six o'clock, you have to look for another place to drink, a nightclub; the party doesn't stop." The young woman from Arenys de Mar, Barcelona, chose the nightclub Bambú to spend the afternoon. "It's my first Fair. I'm really enjoying it, the people are very nice and there's a lot of partying," she highlighted. Beside her, her friend, Nerea Herrera from Málaga, confirmed a maxim for them and their group: "At six in the afternoon, everyone to the nightclubs. It doesn't matter whether it's a holiday or not."

Brahim Benmoussa, public relations for Tenesse, a classic in the Center, explained: "We thought many people would only go to the Real, but we can't complain because we have a loyal audience during the festivities. We have reached the target we set, especially in the afternoons. A lot of people gather eager to party. Yesterday we were full." This party hall opens from 16:00 to 7:00 in the morning. Benmoussa emphasized that they have "a more local audience" that fills the space every day compared to the international tourist who comes once a year and stays at the restaurants for dinner.

We caught Leonor Gallardo at the door of this nightclub after 18:00. "I much prefer the atmosphere of the Fair at the Real around midday, from 14:00 or 13:00, and staying until early evening. When I come for the late afternoon, it's a luxury because I work a lot," she detailed. "We have fantastic places like Tenesse, Tocata, Señorío. The center also has La Fábrica if you want late afternoon fun. In Soho, there is a nightclub," she explained while acknowledging that "there is a desire for the Fair in the Center. "Look how full the Plaza de la Constitución is at this time of the afternoon. In a while, the restaurant tables will be bursting," she exclaimed.

Councilwoman for Operational Services, Beaches, and Festivities, Teresa Porras, acknowledged in an interview with this newspaper that "the reason live music ends at six is because of the business owners and the demand we have." "There are many people who want to come out of the bullfights and come to dinner or many tourists who want to dine at seven in the evening. So, the business owners have said, hey, we prefer it to end at six and serve the dinners we need to serve. That's how it is in the Center," she concluded. Nacho Rodríguez, owner of Marangos, confirmed this yesterday to this media. "A lot of people are coming. We had full meals and dinners yesterday. Yes, they come to dine earlier. Almost all our audience is tourists, foreigners," he assured.

From groups of Germans dining in the Plaza de la Merced to Brits through the streets adjacent to the Constitution. Emma, a 58-year-old Englishwoman, decided to fill up at La Tasquita de en medio along with her sister, with whom she has come on vacation. It's her first time at the Fair, although she had previously visited the Costa del Sol. "We spent the day in the Center and loved the atmosphere. That said, the heat is horrendous," she lamented.

Salvador Meléndez, a 50-year-old from Málaga, likes to meet up with lifelong friends "at least one day in the center for old times' sake." Undoubtedly it's not what it used to be, but we have a good time drinking beer and eating fish at Atarazanas, listening to music in the Plaza de las Flores, and enjoying a while at the Filo Bar. It's better than ever with the spectacular DJ they have," he emphasized. Bars like Filo, ZZPub, or El Muro are some of the options for enjoying a more alternative Fair.

For Iván Arévalo, a young man from Seville, the Fair in the Center feels like "a fairground." "You go into very dark bars, places where you have to pay an entrance fee. It's like a fairground. It's not a Fair per se. They are nightclubs where they play reggaeton. Music that has nothing to do with the Fair. It's like if you were out on a Sunday and go out to a nightclub with your friends," he declared sarcastically. Fairground or not, the Center continues to make a stand in its own way against a Real packed to the brim. However, the issue of trash in the streets is incomprehensible.

The Plaza de la Constitución, littered with trash after the 'closure' at six. / Carlos Guerrero