The latest trend in Madrid’s hospitality scene: serving dinner throughout the night

redbar 24h, supported by the Marcas de Restauración association, is seeking changes in legislation to allow customers to dine inside restaurants between 2:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.

“We are looking for a change in regulations that allows restaurants to stay open all night. That a person can have a meal at three in the morning with the same rights as someone who does so at three in the afternoon.”

The redbar 24h restaurant arrived in the capital in January 2022 with a clear concept: to offer service 24 hours a day with a wide gastronomic offering, 365 days a year. They came from Catalonia, a region they described as “very restrictive,” at least until they discovered “the limits imposed on hospitality in Madrid”.

“There you can open at six in the morning and close at 2:30 a.m., with an extra 30 minutes on Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays, while in Madrid you are required to close for six hours, from 2:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m… three more hours of difference,” explains Felipe Alayeto, president and founder of redbar 24h, who understands the “frustration of many customers” when they are asked to leave shortly before 2:00 a.m.

From that time onwards, customers only have two options: order delivery or pick up their food through a window and eat it outside the premises.

Alayeto, CEO of the group, explains the context of their ambitions with numbers: “15% of the population in this country works at night — we are talking about more than three million people who do not have the same rights as someone at midday. Why? If you have premises with excellent soundproofing… It seems politicians prefer customers to be out on the street. That’s when they actually disturb residents.”

Among the customers who visit redbar 24h during the night are police officers on duty, healthcare workers, street cleaners, nearby hospitality staff, taxi and ride-hailing drivers… “And they all tell us the same thing: ‘why does nobody think about us?’” he says, adding: “Society is moving in one direction and politicians in another. Hospitality represents more than 1.5 million employees and accounts for 8% of GDP — that’s no small thing…”

According to its executives, redbar 24h generated €6.7 million in revenue last year — a figure they believe would increase if the law were changed. A change that, they say, “would only require a simple three-line amendment.” For now, according to regional sources, this request “is not yet a widespread demand”, but if it becomes more popular, “it could be considered for legislation”.

Even so, they are preparing a report to present to policymakers, analyzing the legal issues involved. “There are two key points: first, the regional regulation on opening hours which forces restaurants to close for six hours a day, and second, a misinterpretation of regulations that classify restaurants as public entertainment or recreational activities, when they are not,” say representatives from Cremades & Calvo-Sotelo Abogados, who are assisting redbar 24h in this process.

The ambitions of this chain are well received by the Marcas de Restauración association. Its general secretary, Adriana Bonezzi, states that “we always value positively any legislative action that supports our businesses being open at any time.”

This association, which represents more than 7,000 restaurants, 31% market share, and over 100,000 employees, believes that if allowed, “other businesses would consider extending their hours.” “With these restaurants open, there would be no people eating or drinking in the street,” they estimate.

Sustainability and noise are also key arguments in their push for change. “Politicians do not consider the benefit to citizens. We invest a significant amount in soundproofing (between €70,000 and €120,000) to ensure that noise inside does not disturb outside. Not to mention the waste generated, as takeaway involves packaging and materials, no matter how eco-friendly they are.”

Their goal — and that of redbar 24h — is also supported by other chains. “For our Basic Goiko concept in Chueca, it would be interesting, although we would need to analyze the numbers,” says José Luis García Manso, CMO of Goiko. Even more direct is Five Guys, whose philosophy aligns with redbar 24h, as explained by Daniel Agromayor, General Manager for Spain and Portugal: “We believe legislation should reflect what society needs. For example, some people — due to work or personal circumstances — want to enjoy a quality burger at night while many of us are asleep. It is a reality and a need. We will operate within the hours permitted by law, as long as there is demand.”

Source: The latest trend in Madrid’s hospitality scene: serving dinner throughout the night | Madrid (elmundo.es)