A New Bid for Anima Beach: Who Will Get Palma's Harbor Beach?

A Piece of the Harbor, Many Questions

Late in the evening, when the ferries run their last engines and the seagulls circle once more over the promenade, the port authority meeting made a decision that could accompany Palma for years to come: the area at Punta del Gas, where Anima Beach stands, will be put out to tender again, as detailed in Nuevo intento para Anima Beach en Palma: la autoridad portuaria licita de nuevo el bar de playa. For the neighbors this means: things remain exciting — and perhaps many things will change.

What the tender specifies

The numbers are clear: around 1,260 square meters of space, of which about 220 square meters are indoor space and almost 1,040 square meters are outdoor area. All of this is in the public harbor zone, meaning stricter rules than those for a beach bar somewhere on the main beach. The concession can run for up to 18 years; annual minimum fee: €80,000. Details for prospective operators are outlined in Operador buscado: Bar de playa en la playa urbana de Palma (Ánima Beach). In addition, the Autoridad Portuaria de Baleares requires an activity fee of 4 percent of turnover.

It's about more than money

Those who want to bid must deliver a whole package: architecture, accessibility, a noise concept (see WHO environmental noise guidelines), environmental measures, integration into the promenade. In short: the court of ideas helps decide — not just the highest bid. That is commendable in principle. But in practice it raises questions that are often neglected in public debate.

What is rarely discussed

First: the length of the concession. Eighteen years sounds like planning and investment security. But it can also mean an innovation backlog. A bar that today is an “urban beach location” for 500 guests may no longer fit the city's needs in ten years — because of noise, climate change, or because locals are looking for different options.

Second: control mechanisms. A noise concept sounds good — but who measures, who sanctions? So far it is often the case that residents' complaints fizzle out in long procedures. Without clear, enforceable KPIs (sound limits, fixed measurement intervals, fines) much remains mere paperwork.

Third: employment and supply chain policy. Local businesses only benefit if this is given weight in the tender: local suppliers, fair working conditions, seasonal contracts instead of precarious gigs. In Palma, gastronomy is an important employer; here the APB could set the course.

And fourth: climate and coastal protection. The harbor is not a neutral place. Sea level rise, heavy rain, heat islands — these are issues a concept should address. Solar shading, permeable surfaces, less single-use plastic: small details with big impact.

Local and neighborhood perspective

The residents on the promenade, dog owners, the old men who count the boats in the evening — they all have an expectation: accessible during the day, compatible in the evening. Many fear further commercialization of the promenade. Others hope for a venue that attracts both tourists and neighbors. The tender is therefore a litmus test: can the city pull off the balancing act?

Concrete proposals — pragmatic and local

A few ideas that not only sound good but could also be implemented:

1. Shorter concession terms with an extension option: for example 6+6 years, linked to verifiable performance criteria.

2. Clear, digital noise and environmental controls: permanent monitoring stations with publicly available data and sanctions for exceedances.

3. Social and ecological requirements: local supply obligations, a minimum share of permanent jobs, a ban on single-use plastics, rainwater management.

4. Citizen participation as part of the selection process: a small jury of residents, local business owners and harbor representatives — not a show, but genuine influence.

5. Transparent evaluation mix: alongside price, sustainability, noise protection, opening hours and daytime accessibility should be weighted more heavily.

Why this matters

The harbor is not a private garden. It belongs to everyone — the fishermen, the morning runners, the families who stroll on weekends, and those who want a late drink. When the next wave of concessions is settled, it will become clear whether the APB protects this diversity or cedes another stretch of waterfront to a purely commercial concept.

A personal view

Leaving the meeting a fresh northwesterly breeze was blowing, and somewhere behind a fishing boat a chain clattered. In the morning the dog walkers pass by, at lunchtime the retirees with time, in the evening the lights come on: Palma thrives on this mix. The tender at Punta del Gas can promote that — or undermine it. The decision now lies not only on paper but in its implementation. We will watch. And we will listen.