AFTER several debates on how best to tackle the issue of street drinking parties in Palma, the botellón, the City Council has decided not to impose an outright ban but rather restrict the hours and locations at which such mass gatherings can be held.
The Council has gone to great lengths to get wide-ranging advice on the issue. It has consulted with FEMP, the Spanish Federation for Municipalities and Provinces, the hotel sector, youth groups, and drug and alcohol addiction centres. It is now putting together legislation on street drinking which could be in force by next summer.
The new bylaws will create specially demarcated tracts of land where large groups of young people can legally gather to hold the botellón. These street drinking parties mostly consist of attendees bringing a variety of alcohol, including hard spirits, and mixes which they have bought themselves to share out. Some young people claim the practice has its origins in the fact that prices at bars and cafés are so elevated that they are unable to afford to socialise in normal establishments. The Council hasn't yet said exactly where these areas are going to be nor defined the hours at which partying can taken place. Earlier this summer, the Council had reached an agreement with the Balearic Ports Authority that the clean-up after each street drinking party - carried out by municipal rubbish collection company Emaya - should start earlier, at 3am the morning after the party, rather than at 4.30am. Parking rearrangements and installation of floodlights at points where there was likely to be conflict were also part of the agreement as the Balearic Ports Authority is responsible for the walkways and pavements abutting the Paseo Maritimo in Palma, a favourite spot for the botellón.
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