One of the most famous bars in Málaga City, El Pimpi, was established in 1970. It has become the “must-see” bodega in the provincial capital. I’ve been a few times over the years, and it’s always packed. The last time we went with two friends we managed to find a table outside on the terrace, but could we get served? After 20 minutes and no sign of a waiter, we left and found somewhere quieter.
El Pimpi
El Pimpi is a traditional, poky, yet massive, Andalusian tavern with entrances on two streets. The décor is traditional with old oak barrels, paraphernalia, hanging hams and a bullfighting theme. The atmosphere is electric, and so are the prices. But it’s a good place to visit for a beer or a glass of wine and a tapa. I must confess I like El Pimpi.
As of this Friday, we won’t have to travel all the way to Málaga; we can pop down to Marbella, where an outpost of the famous bodega opens inside the Hotel Puente Romano.
The “new” El Pimpi
In an article in Diario SUR last week, entitled El Pimpi lleva sus barriles y su esencia a Marbella, journalist Juan Soto wrote:
“El Pimpi brings its barrels and its special essence to Marbella and the Costa del Sol, where it has just opened its first establishment outside the capital. The tavern has been set up inside the Puente Romano hotel.”
The new wine bar is much more chic than the original, with a small bar area for tapas (for the moment only for a few hours a day) and a wide gastronomic offer.
The presentation of the new establishment, which took place a week ago, was held to the rhythm of flamenco and was attended by the actor Antonio Banderas from Malaga, who is a business partner of the wine bar.
On a gastronomic level, the range of food at the new premises will be similar to that offered in Malaga. El Pimpi Marbella will offer product, service and tradition at the same level of its big brother.
"This bar will be the starting point for its customers to experience the flavour and history of Malaga with the best seal of approval in a unique environment", he said.
On the menu are classics such as prawns with Pim-pi (24 euros), fried aubergines with honey (15 euros) or an assortment of Andalusian cheeses (30 euros), seafood dishes such as fried anchovies or marinated dogfish (18 euros each) or meats. Connoisseurs will be able to enjoy organic caviar from Riofrío (150 euros).
In Love from a Young Age
During the presentation, Antonio Banderas recalled his love affair with El Pimpi from the time he went for the first time at 9 years of age up to the present day.
"I used to take my first girlfriend to dinner at El Pimpi; I shot a film there, The English Way, and I practically live on top of the place."
He told his audience that El Pimpi had not chosen Puente Romano, but the other way around, since those in charge of the complex are very demanding when it comes to choosing their collaborators.
"A lot of the best restaurants in the world are concentrated in Marbella, but one of the things it lacked was Spanish and Andalusian food," he concluded.
Talking about this new Malaga-Marbella idyll, Daniel Shamoon, co-director of Puente Romano, acknowledged that they have been doing new things for many years, bringing international brands to Marbella, but that they lacked the beating heart of the Andalusian people. And to achieve all that, El Pimpi "is perfect."
«Para mi ha sido la mejor decisión de todas; traer el corazón andaluz a Puente Romano». ("For me it was the best decision of all; to bring the Andalusian heart to Puente Romano.")
The presentation ceremony was also attended by the mayor of Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz, who said:
"If there is something that Hotel Puente Romano lacked, it was that soul that El Pimpi brings; a place with a unique zero-kilometre raw material."
Epilogue
Bodegas El Pimpi has been a benchmark in the city since it opened its doors in August 1971. More than half a century later, the business project started by businessmen and friends Francisco Campos and Pepe Cobos employs more than 200 people.
A visit soon to El Pimpi Marbella is on the cards.
© The “Guiri” Gourmet
Acknowledgements:
A1 Translations
Diario SUR
El Pimpi
Juan Soto
Paul Whitelock
Tags:
A1 Translations, Ángeles Muñoz, Antonio Banderas, Bodegas El Pimpi, Costa del Sol, Daniel Shamoon, Diario SUR, El Pimpi, Francisco Campos, “Guiri” Gourmet, Hotel Puente Romano, Juan Soto, Malaga, Marbella, Paul Whitelock, Pepe Cobos