Bar Castilla, a longtime fixture in Palma’s Es Fortí neighborhood, has served its last plate of torreznos. After ten years running the establishment, Enrique Perlado, 65, was forced to close following a legal dispute with the property owner over the rented premises. Perlado cannot yet retire and plans to remain in the hospitality sector.
The closure ends a decade-long chapter shaped by traditional Spanish cooking and a loyal local clientele. Bar Castilla began its most recent era in November 2016, but had a much longer history, operating for nearly half a century, information from Perlado. Over the past ten years, he managed both the kitchen and the bar, earning a reputation for authentic, home-style dishes.
Signature Torreznos and Local Flavor
Bar Castilla became especially renowned for its torreznos de Soria, a dish that drew regulars and newcomers alike. The menu featured huevos rotos with morcilla, while callos and manitas rounded out its traditional fare. Perlado says that even customers from Soria praised his torreznos, admitting they struggled to match his results at home. Getting the texture and flavor right, he explains, takes skill and experience.
For many in Es Fortí, eating at Bar Castilla was part of the daily routine. Local workers and residents gathered for breakfast or coffee, building a community around the bar’s simple, honest food. The closure has left regulars looking for a new spot, with some joking about staging a protest to keep the doors open.
Forced Closure and Personal Toll
Fatigue alone did not lead the decision to close. The bar operated in a rented space, and after a legal dispute, the property owner reclaimed the premises. Perlado says he would have preferred to continue, but the outcome left him with no choice. Running the bar had also become physically demanding: he often worked fifteen-hour days, much of the time alone. By comparison, a standard eight-hour shift elsewhere seemed almost restful.
Despite the challenges, Perlado remains determined to keep working. He points out that Spain’s retirement age is set beyond 67, leaving him years before he can fully step back. Confident in his abilities and experience, he expects to find new opportunities in hospitality, where demand for skilled workers remains strong. “I may be older, but I work three or four times harder than some younger people,” he says.
Community Loss and Broader Reflections
Bar Castilla’s closure is keenly felt in Es Fortí, a neighborhood where traditional businesses are increasingly rare. Perlado says the area is changing, with fewer long-term residents and a weaker sense of community. Leaving the bar means saying goodbye to years of memories and friendships built over a decade of service.
Before leaving, Perlado calls for greater support for small business owners and the self-employed. He points to the growing challenges and expenses entrepreneurs face, urging authorities to pay closer attention to their needs. After a decade of long hours and dedication, he leaves Bar Castilla proud of the recognition his torreznos earned, while acknowledging the difficulties facing independent businesses in Mallorca.
Bar Castilla’s closure ends a chapter for Perlado and removes another traditional establishment from Es Fortí, where home-cooked food and neighborhood ties once shaped daily life.
