Latest news with #drinkinggame
The Sun
26-07-2025
- The Sun
The Spanish party town with 87p shots that's ‘better than Benidorm' & BEGGING Brits to return after anti-tourist demos
IT'S midnight and Boozers Fest Bar is packed to the rafters with a host of 18 to twentysomethings, all jostling to play a wild new drinking game. This Dutch -run party bar charges £17.50 to take part in 'Snappy', where ten shots are placed around a crocodile toy for punters to down if its mouth shuts when they press its teeth. 18 18 18 18 As they drink, the crowd whoops and hollers and the room, no doubt, starts to spin. Kim, 21, falls foul of the snap, and tells me: 'It's like being a kid again, but with an extra hit. 'We love it here — fun and alcohol, what more could you want?' So far, so typical of a Spanish holiday for British youngsters, many on their first sunshine break without mum and dad cramping their style. But while this bar is bursting, the same cannot be said for other venues in the Spanish resort town of Lloret de Mar. With 100-plus bars and clubs, it was once branded the country's 'party capital' but now many of the venues sit partially empty or closed — an unwelcome result of the nationwide anti-tourist protests that have driven customers away. As a result, the pub owners and party organisers here are pleading with high-spending Brits to return. Currently, the town is besieged by Dutch and German tours of under age teens, who barely spend any money and demand that prices stay low or they won't come. Drinks prices on this section of the Costa Brava haven't risen since 2018, so shots are on offer for one euro (87p) and cocktails for eight euros (£7). Locals are now yearning for its early-Noughties heyday when it was a Club 18-30 destination for Brits. Anti-tourist protesters blast holidaymakers with water guns & block hotels Local shop owner Mohan, 45, told The Sun: 'Without tourists there would be nothing here in Lloret de Mar. "We love English tourists here because they spend the most. 'Yes, some get a bit drunk and loud, but that's not the end of the world. 'The protests in Barcelona have put people off coming here. It's July, and it's not as busy as it should be. 'We want tourists to know they are welcome. I've lived in Lloret since 1999 and everyone here wants more Brits — more tourists, not less.' Without tourists there would be nothing here in Lloret de Mar. We love English tourists here because they spend the most Mohan, Local shop owner Last year 18.4million of us headed to Spain, contributing £20billion to the country's economy, according to the Spanish Ministry of Tourism. But over-tourism has been blamed for inflating Spain's housing crisis, with protesters in Barcelona, the Balearics and Canary Islands holding signs saying 'Tourists go home' and 'Foreigners not welcome'. Lloret is not immune to the housing concerns of places such as Ibiza and Tenerife, but instead of blaming the tourists they have targeted their anger at the government. Officials have responded by cracking down on unlicensed accommodation, which last week saw cops raid 23 illegal tourist flats and slap the owners with fines of up to £20,000. Restaurant Pinocchio owner Claudio La Face, 37, explained: 'Unlicensed holiday flats are a problem because people are concerned about renting to locals as if there is a problem, such as not paying rent, there is little they can do. "On top of that, many prefer to rent to tourists because they can make a lot of money, despite the risk of big fines.' 'Better than Benidorm' 18 18 18 Italian Claudio, who has lived in Lloret for 12 years, said he struggles to understand the anti- tourist protests happening in other parts of Spain. 'It has affected our numbers here, especially this year,' he said. 'But we need tourists in Lloret, we love them. Most of Spain needs tourists too, so protesting against them doesn't help anyone. "Tourists should come to Lloret for the good weather, the beautiful beaches, and amazing food options. Plus there are lots of cultural places around here to visit, such as Girona.' One of the biggest draws to the town is its party district, home to one of the world's best clubs, Tropics. The main strip, Avenue Just Marles Vilarrodona, is full of venues that can hold thousands of revellers, and the winding side streets boast a seemingly unending array of cocktail bars offering outrageous drinking games. Don't Let The Duck Out sees players put on a swim cap and snorkelling goggles to try to grab a bottle of alcohol from a large water bowl. Essentially it's boozy apple bobbing. British teens Lucy and Gemma, both 18, are loving the nightlife in Lloret. Lucy said: 'My sister recommended it, and it's crazy here. We have no regrets booking it. It's fun.' Other Brits out on the lash include Dan Clark and Ollie Bott, both 20, from Stoke, who booked the resort after spotting it on the Jet2 website. For a random find, we've got no regrets. We're on night one, and it's already shaping up to be better than Zante. A lot of bars are giving us drinks for half price because we're British, which is cool Ollie Bott They've flown out with six mates, who they have managed to lose by the time they bump into The Sun. Ollie said: 'For a random find, we've got no regrets. We're on night one, and it's already shaping up to be better than Zante. A lot of bars are giving us drinks for half price because we're British, which is cool.' Newlyweds Rachel, 37, and Phillip, 41, from Leeds, are here for their honeymoon. 'It wasn't quite what we expected for our honeymoon, but we love how lively it is,' courier Phillip said. 'I'd certainly come back here with the lads, or let my sons have their first drinking holiday here as it feels really safe. There's nice food and the booze is cheap. 'Plus everyone here has been really friendly compared to other holidays we've been on.' Couple Paul Willmot and Janette Machin, both 57, from Bridlington, Yorks, reckon it could even start to rival Brit favourite Benidorm. Janette said: 'It's been really great so far. It has potential and reminds me of Beni and Sunny Beach before they got super-popular. We didn't let the protests in other parts of Spain put us off, and no one else should either.' 18 18 18 Standing in doorways and draped over pavements are revellers debating which bar to move to next. Some are being shepherded by tour operators. 'A little rowdy' Back on the main street are Disco Londoner and Touch Down Sports bar, both owned by Marcus Faraji. He told The Sun: 'Ninety per cent of the industry here is based around tourism, even if it's not directly. 'More needs to be done to educate locals that their livelihoods and comforts come from tourists being welcome here. This is getting lost because many people are so worried about the housing issues. 'The drinking tourism we get upsets some, and they complain that people don't come here to visit cultural places, but the truth is we don't have the infrastructure for that. "Many of the tourists that come here are in groups organised by tour operators, who take up bulk bookings at hotels. 'It means we have to keep drinks cheap, because if we raise our prices they threaten to not come. 'But some of the people they bring are as young as 16, so we won't serve them anyway, and they don't have a lot of money to spend, which harms the economy. 'English people don't travel in the same way. We would like more of them because they spend a huge amount on both restaurants and on alcohol.' Bars caught serving booze to someone under age risk a fine of £2,600 for each case — and the drinker can be handed a £850 fine. Local businessman Igor Peyman, 54, is also keen to see more British holidaymakers pitch up in Lloret. He said: 'English people are my favourite tourists because they spend so much. 'They can be a bit difficult, like fighting each other, but they come with a budget to spend and will spend it all. There is so much for people to enjoy here so we hope they aren't put off by the protests in other parts of Spain.' 'Spanish Blackpool' But not everyone is a fan of Lloret. Holidaymaker Amanda, from Stratford-upon-Avon, West Mids, reckons it's essentially ' Blackpool in Spain'. She added: 'You do have to look for the nicer places to go as the centre is very young and aimed at a younger crowd.' Her pal Michele agreed, but added: 'Everyone has been really friendly, and you don't get hassled to go to restaurants or shops. Parts of the town are quite dated and need investment.' We want people who won't pee or poo in the street. We have plenty of public restrooms and bars where people can use the toilets Tattoo shop worker Jose Tattoo shop worker Jose, 30, is keen for Lloret to only welcome tourists who will be respectful. He said: 'We want people who won't pee or poo in the street. We have plenty of public restrooms and bars where people can use the toilets. 'Tourists who want to have fun but appreciate we live here are always welcome, even if they're a little rowdy. 'Lloret is a poor town, and most of us have to earn our living for the year in the space of six weeks. "We love tourists and we always want them to come here.' 18 18 18 18 18 What is overtourism? Overtourism is where a destination experiences a volume of tourists that exceeds its manageable capacity. The term is often used to describe the negative consequences of mass tourism, which includes overcrowding and environmental issues. As a result, popular destinations have become less enjoyable for both visitors and locals. Local communities, in particular, bear the brunt, facing rising costs and a depletion of resources. In response, national and local governments have started to implement measures to reduce overtourism. These include:
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
TALK OF THE TOWN: Pull the other one! Police probe 'beer puppet' at Jeremy Clarkson's pub
Heaven forbid that Jeremy Clarkson ever be accused of acting irresponsibly... Yet a drinking game taking place in the Cotswolds pub the king of the reckless Top Gear stunts now owns was investigated by police after a rather po-faced complaint was made that it encouraged 'irresponsible' alcohol consumption. The complainant was apparently unimpressed by the shenanigans at The Farmer's Dog involving a 'beer puppeteer' contraption, right, imported from Germany. This bizarre game involves strapping on a shoulder harness rigged with levers and pulleys which the player must use to guide a swinging pint of beer into their mouth. Using your hands is verboten, and to add a competitive element, two drinkers race each other to finish the pint without spilling it. A video posted on the pub's Instagram page on May 3, and so far viewed 18,800 times, shows Clarkson watching a member of staff grapple with the contraption in the pub's garden. It is captioned: 'Come without a reservation for the British farmed food, for the view, for the beer, the games, the garden and the fun.' However, following the complaint, I'm told the police were forced to check whether the unconventional game meant the pub – as featured in the Amazon Prime Video show Clarkson's Farm – was breaching licensing laws. Yet the council appeared to appreciate the funny side. Andrea Thomas, licensing officer for West Oxfordshire District Council, said: 'After reviewing the game with the police licensing officer, we do not deem it to be a breach of any granted licences, and no further action will be taken. 'We do not deem it as irresponsible, rather part of promotion for the establishment which does not impact the licence.' And Clarkson didn't even need to pull any strings to get that result!
The Sun
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Wild vids show Benidorm bar giving Brits a SLAP across the face after they do shot… but viewers slam drinking game
A BENIDORM bar has come under fire for its bizarre drinking game in which players get slapped in the face after doing a shot. Shocking footage posted by the Wild Duck bar showed 15 or so punters take part in the "idiotic" Slap Shot experience. 4 4 4 Furious viewers slammed the "moronic" game for "promoting and normalising violence". In the video clip, over a dozen men can be seen taken turns to sit on a chair and do a shot. After each man gets one down the hatch, a worker chucks water into their face and slaps them right across the face. Their heads can be seen turning due to the force of each blow. The bizarre compilation clip ends with the game players smiling and applauding. But social media users blasted the game as "stupid and moronic", and claimed that it put them off visiting. The bar stood firm and defended their tradition, saying that each player had paid £4 out of their own pocket to play. Some people in the video had even paid twice for a second game, the bar said. The Wild Duck said the activity was "good fun" and had "no malice" to it. They asked those posting negative comments to "remember we're providing a light-hearted service that we clearly advertise". They even hit out at other industries in the region, saying "adult-themed performances receive far less criticism despite involving far more explicit content". A spokesperson for the bar explained that the idea came out of a viral video shared in the staff group chat. They added it had since become a "guest favourite". The controversial footage has more than 120 likes on Facebook and the post is captioned: "Do you think you have what it takes?" One furious user said: "Until someone receives a trauma to their brain, neck and spine. What a stupid drink to optionally serve here." Another questioned why the bar would "promote this sort of behaviour, you idiots". They added that it "put me right off your bar". But some praised the game, and seemed to enjoy the peculiar footage. One encouraged user said: "Wow, genius. I'm gonna have a couple when I get there." Another said: "Excellent. See use in a few weeks. Stag group on the way." The bar added that customers are always asked if they prefer a "soft or hard slap" Players are always checked up on by staff to make sure they're okay after the brutal game, according to the bar. The Wild Duck said: "We never pressure anyone into taking part. "If we sense someone is being pushed into it by their group, we always make sure the individual genuinely wants to participate. "It's all about keeping the atmosphere fun and comfortable for everyone." 4
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Benidorm bar is branded 'idiotic' for slapping group of 15 Brits across the face as they down shots
A 'wild' Benidorm bar has been slammed over its 'idiotic' drinking game - that sees boozing Brits receive a hard slap across their face when buying shots. The Wild Duck bar in the Spanish resort posted clips of a 15-strong group facing their Slap Shot experience on May 4, but many Facebook users were quick to condemn it. Footage shows men of varying ages sitting on a bar chair to down a shot before one of the standing workers throws water into their face and slaps them. Their heads can be seen turning with the force of each slap but the compilation clip ends with group members smiling and applauding. Facebook users branded the stunt 'stupid and moronic' for 'promoting and normalising violence', with some saying it's put them off visiting. The bar hit back in the comments section to claim everyone in the video paid £4 for the experience. They said it is 'good fun' with 'no malice intended' and asked those posting negative comments to 'remember we're providing a light-hearted service that we clearly advertise'. A spokesperson has since explained the idea came from a viral video shared in the staff group chat and it's since become a 'guest favourite'. The controversial video has more than 120 likes, comments and shares with the video caption ending by asking viewers 'do you think you have what it takes?'. One social media user commented: 'Until someone receives a trauma to their brain, neck and spine. What a stupid drink to optionally serve here.' A second said: 'Honestly why would you promote this sort of behaviour, you idiots. It puts me right off your bar.' A third added: 'Idiotic, moronic, stupidity at its finest, normalising violent behaviour and the bar are promoting this. Another bar to avoid.' A fourth said: 'Oh dear! I would be hitting them back.' However, one said: 'Wow, genius. I'm gonna have a couple when I get there.' Another said: 'This is what I was on about. You are doing it next time we're there. Can't wait to watch.' The bar says customers are asked if they'd prefer a 'soft or hard slap' and they're checked by staff to make sure they're okay afterwards. When a user questioned their liability if a customer was to be hurt they claimed the stunt 'fully complies with local laws and regulations'. A spokesperson for Wild Duck said: 'The Slap Shot has become a hugely popular and iconic part of The Wild Duck experience. 'We always ensure that participants fully understand what the Slap Shot involves, and they are given the choice of a soft or harder slap. 'The videos you see are often edited to keep the fun, viral energy - but what's not always shown is that immediately afterward, our team checks in with the guests to make sure they're OK and that they enjoyed the experience. 'As bar staff here, we genuinely want to give people the best possible experience - and if that includes having a Slap Shot, we won't disappoint.' Backlash over the controversial game comes after young tourists heading for Spain were recently warned over a dangerous new pub game which offers them shots for 50p if they can endure an electric shock for more than 10 seconds. The challenge, condemned by doctors as totally irresponsible and life-threatening, can be carried out as an individual or by a group who hold hands so the shock can travel from body to body. The customer has to hold on to electrodes for more than ten seconds before they can qualify for a cheap shot for themselves or their friends if they all succeed. Medics have warned that it is impossible to know if someone has an undetected heart problem and, in the worst scenario, they could die. Videos and pictures were posted on the social networks before they were withdrawn after Spanish newspaper, La Nueva Espana, revealed details of the prank. It is feared bars in other Spanish resorts might already be copying the idea or preparing to do so as a way of pulling in the crowds at the start of the main tourist season.
