Wetherspoon has opened its first pub in Europe at Alicante Airport in Spain, offering a full English breakfast and other British favourites. The pub, named Castell de Santa Bàrbera, aims to attract British tourists heading to destinations like Benidorm.
The menu includes a traditional breakfast for €10.25 (£8.94), bacon and sausage butties for €5.95 (£5.19), and a selection of burgers and local dishes such as garlic prawns and Spanish omelette. Notably, fish and chips are absent due to the lack of a deep fat fryer, and curry options include Japanese-style Katsu offerings.
Founder and chairman Tim Martin expressed delight at the opening, stating: 'We believe the pub will be popular with a wide range of customers travelling home from Alicante Airport.' He hinted at further overseas openings, potentially including locations in Benidorm, Majorca, and even China.
The pub operates daily from 6am to 9pm, with nearly 1,000 square feet of indoor space and an external terrace. Drinks include Amstel, Stella Artois, Guinness, and cocktails, with prices ranging from €4.95 to €9.95.
Early customers praised the convenience, with one traveller noting the pub's proximity to boarding gates. The opening marks Wetherspoon's first venture into continental Europe, following its existing airport branches in the UK.
