Visit Enix: Almeria Village Boasts 11 Bars For 690 Residents

Imagine a village of just 690 residents boasting a Guinness World Record of 11 bars. According to research, Enix in Almeria has more bars per 1,000 inhabitants than any other town or village in Spain. Our first thought was how do all those businesses still run successfully with so few people in the village? Meanwhile, some of the eateries have been open for years!

Enix, Almeria hits the Guinness World Records

A small village in the Almeria Province of Andalucía has only 690 residents according to the latest census. However, Enix boasts 11 bars/eateries which beats the current Guinness World Record.

Previously, Sallent de Gallego in Spain held the record for the most bars per resident. Located in the Pyrenees of Huesca, that village boasts 15.74 bars per 1,000 residents. This data came from research by the Federación Española de Hostelería and Coca-Cola.

However, now, Enix has beaten that record with 15.94 bars per 1,000 inhabitants. Only a .20 difference, but it counts.

About Enix

Located to the east of Almeria city, Enix is set in the Sierra de Enix mountains, with beautiful surrounding landscapes. Meanwhile, the tiny village boasts a beach – the Playa del Palmer, a rural school that had been closed for 34 years… and 11 bars. Speaking to the local IDEAL newspaper, the village’s Mayor Álvaro Izquierdo said, “Enix has always been known for its bars.”

It should be noted that these establishments aren’t only bars, as they also serve food. Meanwhile, Bar Almeria is dubbed a “lifelong restaurant” and is one of the most traditional bars in the village. The establishment has been run by the same family for many years.

Another popular eatery is Tasca Restaurante Alkanziyya which has been running for ten years and has excellent reviews. Its owner and chef is Asunción, who serves a mixture of traditional and innovative dishes. Among the menu items are aubergines with honey (a popular dish in Spain), pork steaks, grilled chicken and delicious desserts. This one is so popular, that locals recommend making a reservation for the weekend or be disappointed.

Les Tres Patas – rural hotel and bar

Another popular bar is located in the rural hotel Las Tres Patas, which serves traditional regional cuisine, as well as homemade Arabic cuisine and delicious fish dishes.

Next, Pizzeria XDenix serves gourmet ribs, steak and hamburgers. Moreover, Bar Enix is a popular option for lunch and offers coffee in the afternoons and evenings, so locals have options to choose from throughout the day.

Among the other bar/eateries in Enix include Bar Las Minas, Bar La Plaza de Enix, Parque de Aventura and El Marchal de Antón López. On the beach in the village, Chiringuito el Palmer is a popular option with inhabitants and visitors, while two other chiringuitos are open in the summer months, namely Chiringuito La Fuente and Bar La Piscina.

New tradition in Enix

As noted by Sur in English, besides having a Guinness World Record number of bars/eateries, Enix has created a new, traditional event. Starting in 2019, the village holds a “migas” competition. In the first year, there were around 700 entries, but in 2023, more than 1,000 people participated in the competition – clearly with people from the surrounding area.

Basically, each participant has to bring their own pots and pans, while the village’s town hall lumps in for the ingredients – water, flour, oil, vegetables and wine.

For those who haven’t yet tried Migas, it is a dish traditionally made in Spain and Portugal from stale bread and other ingredients. The dish was originally introduced by shepherds, but has since become popular across the Iberian Peninsula and is often served as a typical breakfast.

If traveling in the Almeria Province of Andalucía, make a detour to Enix. While there, try out one or more of these record-breaking bars/eateries. It will surely be an experience of a lifetime.