What's going on everybody? I am curious as to how strict the police and or government are in regards to enforcing the new law outlawing botellones. The botellones were one of the best things about Spain. Do they still exist? Are the police strict or do they not really care? Do the young people still congregate in the plazas and get wasted? Too bad about the law.

Hey pwp145, welcome to the board

The botell�n thing is a touch topic but I will give you my 2 Eurocents worth at the risk of starting a war here.

The problem was not so much in the actual botell�n itself but rather in the completely disrespectful way in which the people went about it, leaving the areas they hang out in "echas un asco" (disgustingly dirty) and making a LOT of noise all night long.

The filth left behind and the unbearable noise for people who live in the most popular "botell�n" plazaz, lead the govt. to end them alltoghether.

Subsequently, laws were passed to prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages to anyone under 18 yrs. of age and to remove alcohol from the "tiendas de alimentaci�n" (small mom & pop convenience stores" all around the city since that was where many people would buy the alcohol before their botell�n.

Nowdays, any drinking in the street is not allowed, even at a nice wine bar that spills out into the street like "Almendro 13" (on Calle Almendro #13), is technically a no-no.

Not sure how much this is all enforced today as I have never been a botell�n fan but you do NOT see the botellones of old, not even close.

You will be happy to hear that small botellones still occur but the glory days are over for those who used ot go nuts in the Plaza Dos de Mayo for example.

Just the other day there was an anti-war protest and concert in the Puerta del Sol and after the concert, a handful of people stuck around all afternnon and had a "mini-botell�n" right in front of the "Oso y Madro�o" statue. They were maybe 15-20 people tops so the police just controlled them and let them have their fun for a while.

Saludos,
jer...

quote:

"The botellones were one of the best things about Spain"

Hmmmm, that statemtn is VERY arguable but I won't go there

Botellon are still alive and well in college towns in the provinces! Caceres is full of them, but then, the kids there know how to behave.

And if all else fails, there's always Mexico!! woowee, what a fiesta place that is!

Salud!
Rebekah

When did this happen? No more botell�n in Madrid
Last summer I was once in one of those with the madrile�as :l: and it was so much fun!(and we didnt mess up the park!)
I was looking forward to do it again this summer but now I can't??

Hey Antti, well, you and your Botell�n were very original in that you did not leave the park a disaster area, good for you

You can still go to botellones in Madrid, just not the large scale ones in the city center nor in the main plazas as in the old days.

I for one am all for the end of the botell�n, generally speaking, it is a disgusting and VERY disrespectful habbit

Saludos,
jer...