Scots fans are set to party all night in holiday hotspots after Spanish bars were given the green light to stay open for their opening World Cup match – despite the 2am kick off time.
Sinky’s Scottish Pub in Magaluf is braced for a Tartan Army invasion ahead of the team’s first world cup in 28 years. And they’ve been given a boost after town hall chiefs allowed them to stay open longer to show the opening match against Haiti in full.
The boozer promised fans cold pints and proper pub atmosphere. Manager Ryan Sinclair said: “We’re absolutely buzzing for it.
“Scotland being back at the World Cup is massive, and even with the 3am kick-off here, we know the fans will turn out and make it a night to remember. Sinky’s has always been a home for Scottish supporters in Magaluf, so we’re expecting an amazing atmosphere.”
Many Tartan Army foot soldiers have found their Esta tourist visas cancelled by the US immigration authorities.
But thousands of Scotland fans are set to snub sky-high US costs and security nightmares and instead descend on Spanish resorts such as Magaluf and Tenerife for a month-long World Cup party in the sun.
Bookings to Benidorm have rocketed 54% compared to other weeks this year. Meanwhile the Hoops Bar, a Celtic fan pub in Tenerife, is offering a £50 per person all-you-can drink bash for guests. They will have live music on from 11pm-2am, when the match starts.
And the Thistle Bar, also in Tenerife, is promising fans “cold drinks, good vibes and sunshine all day” as they plan to show matches on big screens.
In a post on social media, they wrote: “We’ve waited 28 years for this. Come get your glitter face paint ready and enjoy a few cold ones.”
Scotland’s opening game against Haiti game will kick off at 2am on Sunday morning. The second game against Morocco on Friday, June 19 is at 11pm and the final group game against Brazil kicks off at 11pm on June 24.
But the timing of the Brazil game means one Scottish bar will be shut that day – as its owner jets off to Gibraltar on June 23 to get married two days later.
Gary McCormack, who owns the Union Bar in Tenerife, said: “I cannot actually believe we have scheduled that during Scotland’s first World Cup appearance in 28 years and of all the possibilities, we are playing Brazil. So my wee pub will be closed.
“Best laugh of all is we’ve been together for 25 years. My bride to be is hoping I don’t go in the missing list in Gibraltar on the 24th. We get hitched on the 25th.”
The bar will also not be able to show the Haiti game as they only have a licence until 2am, but do plan to show the Morroco game. Gary said: “Hopefully the local police and town halls here in Tenerife will apply some leniency and allow everyone to have some fun.”