Hola! - Bar de Risa: Hondon de los Frailes has a ‘new’ bar open - well the old Sinatras bar is refurbed and ready to go! Run by two locals this main road establishment has undergone a re-style, been brightened up and is NOW OPEN for your custom !!!
Bar De Risa Welcomes You
Jane and Gareth say everybody is welcome to try out the facilities which include : Pool, Darts, Bridge, Cribb and Sports TV. They plan to put on Flamenco & Salsa dance lessons, Wii Fit and Wii Golf. Soon the 42″ Plasma will arrive so you can watch the sporting events (come on you reds!!). Beer is San Miguel, Kronenburg 1664 and John Smiths.
There is already Live entertainments booked and you can use Bar de Risa for club meetings, pool tournaments in the afternoons or evening.
Just chat your ideas over with Jane or Gareth - TEL 965 482 057
Ok, it’s getting a little chilly in the Hondon Valley lately. There are less people about al fresco and the tan’s are fading now. It’s strictly long pants and a jumper or jacket now.
So what’s happening? Well there’s a new bar to open soon in Frailes (formerly Sinatra’s Bar). It will have a new name and is being decorated as we write. Finger’s crossed it’ll be a bit different and attract both ex-pats and the Spanish like VientiOcho does in the same village. We could do with another nice place to go.
The local Town Hall (Nieves) has been running ‘free’ Spanish Classes for Expats. These are popular and well worth it. We say ‘free’ but there is a joining fee and you need to buy books. Pop along to the Ayuntimiento and ask for Maria Elena, although I think they are full until the new year now, but get your name down at least!
Eva’s Restaurant has opened in Nieves, she used to have one in Frailes. I have already tried the Menu Del Dia there and it was a typical MDD affair but nice enough. Try it out for yourself - it’s opposite Bar Central.
Christmas is coming and already there is talk of locals singing carols to the Spanish Villages - so a choir is being formed and will hopefully raise money towards a good Nieves cause… It’s good to make a contribution to the Village for letting us ‘invade’ their territory !!! We shouldn’t just take and they invite us to all their Fiestas don’t they? So if you see a tin a rattling at least spare a Euro or two for a good local cause.
And finally for now… if you need to sell or rent your Hondón property you can put it on here very cheaply!… See you soon !!
After the sell-out summer success of events like Flamenco Night and Live Acts at La Finca Rotez (in Barbarroja, near Hondon de los Frailes), Rosemary & Terry have just released a batch of forthcoming events, including what’s happening for Christmas and New Year !
Looking over an extensive 3 page brochure it looks like the Rotez will be very busy. You can get your events brochure and festive menu by popping into the Rotez, ask any of the staff. TEL 966 678 968 for bookings & prices… recommended!
OK, so a quick summary then…
Open every day (except Tuesday) 10.30 ’til late
Breakfast/Lunch 11 til 3pm
Dinner from 7pm (or earlier if booked)
Special Dinners ‘Menu Del Noche + wine’ on Mon & Wed
Fish Suppers of Fri’ usually includes cabaret / live music (check with the staff)
Bingo and Party Nights (on specified Thursdays) Dates: Halloween Party, Fireworks & Fiesta Night, Music & Dancing & Meal
Private Parties catered for - check with staff
Festive Delights (Christmas & New Year)
Rosemary & Terry are wanting to make the Finca Rotez as festive as possible so make sure you check dates and events… get booked in because word spreads fast in the Hondon Valley! It all kicks off from the 8th December with a ‘Friends & Family’ seasonal dinner. Plus they’ll be having a Children’s Christmas Party 16th Dec’…. Carol Night is 19th Dec … C’ Eve is an open as usual with mince pies, etc and the BIG DAY has a lavish Christmas Dinner Menu with welcome drinks, canapés and a great choice of courses.
And of course it’s PARTY TIME with music on NEW YEAR’s EVE !!!
It’s going to be a popular place. If you haven’t been before I suggest you do. (Google Map)
I recently had a very pleasant evening at the Finca Rotez in Barbarroja (near Hondon de los Frailes). It was my first but their 3rd Flamenco Night. It was nice to taste a bit of traditional Spain. Well done to Rosemary (the owner) who is trying to offer different entertainment to the norm for around here. The three female dancers were very good and all very dramatic and mysterious too.
The place was full, all tables taken and Finca Rotez put on a ’supper’ of various dishes, salad, bread and fish. All very nice and quite good value. The staff as usual were very helpful and friendly…. of course our crowd were the last ones to leave !!! Recommended.
The Fiesta season carries on regardless… in the sweltering heat - a popular July and August ‘treat’ in Spanish Culture is the Bull Run - often seen in small local towns and villages. A sort of poor man’s Bull Fighting without the fighting and finery (and no killing).
This spectacle seems to travel from town to town in the Hondón Valley region, including Pinoso and La Romana.
What is the Bull Run?
It consists of a make-shift ‘bull-ring’ of laddered walls (see pictures) these protect the viewing public but also serve as an escape route for the brave souls (or foolhardy) that enter the ring to be chased by or taunt the bull(s). It’s entertaining enough for a while, but the poor bulls are teased and prodded to make then more angry. Still it;s their custom and at least I’ve seen it.
The great thing is though that it’s a BIG family day for the Spanish (as are all Fiestas) and they bring food, wine and music to make a BIG PARTY !! The one I visited had a Spanish Brass band, market , bar and later a rock pop band on stage.
You have to say that the Spanish know how to do parties even in the remotest of places or small villages. More power to ‘em.
In the interests of fairness and keeping you guys informed I think a general list of bars and restaurants in Frailes, Hondon Valley would help… ( We in no way endorse any of these establishments, that’s down to your tastes).
Bar Redz: Church Street: (Pool, Music and Games) - Serve Snacks and meals
Irish Bar: Church Street: Yep just like a regular Irish Bar anywhere else in the world !!Football/Sports TV, Darts, International Beers, Snacks, Courtyard and street tables AND Guiness of course!
Veinte Ocho:Church Street: Breakfast, Tapas, Lunch and Dinner. The newest place in town (at time of writing). Very modern, has nicer views of the Alberta Mountains and Al Fresco tables or dine inside.
Bar Peppin: main Murcia road: well established with the Spanish & English. Lunch and dinner menu, Sports, TV, speciality nights, quizzes and Fish & Chips !
Sinatras: main Murcia road: Music and pool bar, snacks, large room and caters for larger parties, celebrations.
La Finca Rotez: Barbarroja: 5 mins from Frailes: Guest house, restaurant and bar, open from 10am (except Tues). Does English & International menu, has private courtyard. Event such as Flamenco are popular.
The Fogon: Moroon coloured ranch style building, main Murcia road: Menu del Dia offered, large interior, views of Crevillent Mountains. Popular with Spanish locals.
Casas Galiana: Between Nieves and Frailes, main road: Established and well used for Menu del Dia, popular with Spanish people. Is Spanish owned and run, Varied menu and large rooms means it caters for celebrations / parties.
One of the biggest summer festival highlights in recent years is the Medieval Festival in Hondon de las Nieves (usually July/August). It’s 2 days of themed markets, crafts, food, events, shows and general firework mayhem to finish off with at Midnight! It seems the whole village and more attends - great fun, great atmosphere and not to be missed. The fireworks are ‘performed’ by Correfocs which roam the villages streets, lights are off and ponding music to accompany the party. Luv it!
It’s still Fiesta Time in Hondón de las Nieves in July / August this year… events left include the Paella Contest + “Kasi Clásica” musical evening at the Sports Centre + Medieval Market (well worth a visit) in the Main Plaza and surrounding Streets usually with an impressive Firework Display at Midnight. If you are in the Hondón area please come along + program of events are available from the Town Hall or local establishments.
Just heard that a new Indian Takeaway has opened on the main Hondon de los Frailes road, very near to the Frailes Garden Centre… more info’ soon!
Update: (31 July). Still not tried the place myself yet BUT most of my friends have and give it a general thumbs up - short, that a little pricey maybe (compared to UK) and Naan breads a little small BUT all say very tasty and choice is very good. (Of course you have to try it yourself !)
It’s taken a few years to turn this derelict Spanish Finca into a lovingly restored home, guest house, bar and restaurant… but in within just 9 weeks of opening Rosemary and Terry Richards already have a healthy clientèle and their events calendar is well booked up.
Find it at Barbarroja, just a few minutes out of Hondon de los Frailes on the main CV845 to Murcia road. The Finca Rotez is a lovely peaceful setting for al fresco drinks, breakfast, lunch or dinner. Open most days from 10am (ish) you can get a breakfast too from 11am, lunch after 1pm and dinner from 7pm.
They also offer good rates as a Guest House and Bed & Breakfast stays.
Rosemary can be contacted on 966 678 968.
