Beach Kiosks 2024

Construction Begins

Formentera, June 23, 2024

The installation of beach kiosks in Formentera has finally begun, and since last Saturday, the wooden structures that will become the new beach bars starting from this 2024 season until the end of the current concession in 2029 are starting to take shape.

The start of these works marks the end of a long period of uncertainty and sadness that has affected both old and new concessionaires, former employees of the beach bars, residents of Formentera, and frequent visitors.

These establishments have not just been beach bars for many of us. They have been, and personally, I hope they continue to be, places where people of all nationalities and social levels come together. Places where one can enjoy friendly and welcoming service from the staff, where one can savor a cold beer in the shade while admiring the colors of this unique sea that we have in Formentera.

On Friday, May 20th, the coast guards of the Coastal Demarcation approved the location of each of the 8 beach kiosks on Formentera’s beaches. With this final procedure, the concessionaires were granted permission to begin installing the wooden structures that will ultimately become the new beach bars of Formentera for the coming years.

Opening Dates for Beach Kiosks 2024

Not all new beach concessionaires currently have all the necessary materials to begin assembling the structures, and only a few of them have been able to start construction.

Therefore, the projected opening dates will depend significantly on each concessionaire’s material procurement status. Those who appear to be furthest along in this regard are the two kiosks in Es Pujols, replacing the old Kiosk People and the old Kiosk de S´Abeuradeta, with plans to open around July 14th.

Likewise, the future Kiosk Amagatai, replacing the old Kiosk Lucky, is also scheduled to open around the same time in mid-July.

As I gather more information about the remaining kiosks, I will continue to provide updates.

Beach Kiosks at Es Arenals Beach

Es Arenals Beach in Migjorn will feature two beach kiosks starting from the 2024 season, a setup that was consistent until the 2021 season when the La Franja kiosk definitively closed its doors. Since then, only the Pirata Bus Kiosk has remained in this area of Migjorn.

Starting this summer, a new kiosk will be installed in the former location of La Franja Kiosk, also known as Kiosko den Jaume Baixero among the people of Formentera, serving the eastern part of Es Arenals Beach.

Regarding the final location of the kiosk replacing the Pirata Bus, there was a period of considerable uncertainty due to Coastal Law requirements, which initially mandated moving the new kiosk about 100 meters westward, placing it just over 30 meters from Restaurant La Fragata—a decision that didn’t make sense to many in Formentera.

However, this Coastal Law has since been partially repealed, and the new kiosk replacing the Pirata Bus will ultimately retain its original location.

The “New” Pirata Bus – Expectations

For those who know me beyond what’s written in this blog, they’ll understand that I’ve been a loyal customer of Pirata Bus for many years. I’ve spent countless days there with friends, sharing laughter, (many) beers, playing backgammon back in the 90s, listening to music, and bidding farewell to the summer sun with the chords of Luca Bocelli singing “Conte Partiro”.

I first encountered Pirata Bus as a teenager, and I greatly miss it as an adult. I know that the atmosphere we experienced there for so many years, with Pascual and Edit as the heart and soul of it all, will not be replicated with the new concessionaire. Nothing in life is the same as it once was… not even any of us are who we were years ago. Everything and everyone evolves.

That chapter has ended, and I cherish those memories with love and gratitude for having enjoyed them for so many years. However, I’m glad to hear firsthand that the new owner of the beach bar intends to continue the legacy established by Edit and Pascual, despite understanding how challenging it will be to live up to their legacy.

From this blog, I sincerely wish them the greatest success in preserving the spirit of Pirata Bus, the spirit of a beach kiosk that goes beyond being just a bar on the beach. I hope it continues to be a place where visitors and residents can gather, enjoy a cold beer in a pleasant and fun atmosphere, listen to good music, and be surrounded by friendly and familiar faces.

May life continue to grant us wonderful moments on the western end of Es Arenals Beach.