Brits in Spain reeling at booze price hikes on popular resorts and say 'we won't be back'

Brits soaking up the sun in Spain are reeling from staggering booze price hikes that have pushed popular resorts like Magaluf out of reach for some holiday budgets. The cost of a tipple has doubled in some bars and cafes, leaving destinations once known for their affordability now pinching tourists' pockets.

Holidaymakers are now facing up to €10 for crowd-pleasing cocktails such as Mojitos or Sex on the Beach, and beer prices have soared to €5 a pint. Despite this, one beachfront cafe owner mentioned a 'pint price war' between local bars.

Glasgow couple Bobby and Marie McQueen, who revisited Magaluf post-Covid, were shocked by the prices: "We won't be back. It's the last time we're paying €10 for a gin and tonic and €12 for a large white wine," they told the Mirror.

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They also noted the smaller measures, adding: "Plus the measures are a lot less. They used to fill the glass up three quarters with the gin, now it's less than half."

Veronica Horwood, 62, a Magaluf regular from Bristol, said: "Places like the Piano Bar, which we love, are definitely more expensive than this time last year."

"Even just by a euro for a gin and tonic but it all adds up. I've been coming to Magaluf for 20 years. Only four years ago it would have been just €5 for a G&T. I think after Covid they hiked the prices everywhere you go. But it's a great bar and you can dance, so you are getting something for that drink."

The Mirror's Hollie Bone discovered that a large glass of Sauvignon Blanc could set holidaymakers back anywhere from €4.75 to a staggering €12.

Scottish bar and restaurant Sinky's has remained open for 40 years, thanks to customer loyalty. However, owner Cathy Sinclair, 69, admits it's been a struggle: "Every penny counts and you're not taking what you did years ago. People are not drinking as much. Businesses are struggling badly here. The cost of living here has gone up a lot.

She said, for example, cans of gas for the beer taps which were €36 before Covid are now €74. In Spain, employers pay staff’s National Insurance contributions which costs Cathy about €700 a year for a full-time worker. She said: “That’s a big expense and tourists don’t understand that we have that.”