Legendary Benidorm bar popular with Brit tourists shuts down venue

The cabaret bar, popular with British tourists, has said it has closed its current venue to reopen in a new establishment nearby.

The popular establishment is one of the oldest cabaret bars in Benidorm. It is the centre of Benidorm’s British Fancy Dress Day - Europe’s biggest fancy dress parade.

The tradition started as a gimmick by the bar more than two decades ago after it promised anyone getting dressed up a free drink.

Confirming the news on Facebook, the bar said:

“There is going to be exciting BRAND NEW Sinatra’s opening in 2022 in new premises very close by in Calle Lepanto in the building that was previously Sandra’s bar. “This will be fully refurbished with lots of new exciting “touch of class” additions, along with your favourite familiar Sinatra’s faces.”

Some fans of the bar voiced their fears at the move, saying it was the end of an era. Among the comments, one said: “Gutted to be reading this, won’t be the same at all”.

A second said: “

Gutted to hear its moving.” Another added: “Sinatra’s is where everyone gravitates to on fancy dress day … Not going to be the same.” However, some welcomed the change of venue. Among the comments, one wrote: “Wonderful news. Not as far to stagger back to [the] apartment”.

The destination is popular with Brit sun-seekers and is known for its sun, sand and sangria.

However, health chiefs in the region of Alicante - which Benidorm forms part of - have previously voiced concerns British tourists could be causing a Covid case spike,

Speaking in October, the health minister for the regional Valencian government said a rise in cases at the time was detected when “more tourists began to arrive from the UK”.