El Esparragal - Probably The Best Bar In The World

For those of us who live on the Costa del Sol, there are hundreds of bars, restaurants and night clubs to choose from - ranging from your average spit and sawdust back street café to fine dining establishments in the swankier resorts. In the good old days when hangovers only took a few hours to get over, I might have been spotted in a few infamous late night venues, but since I have become sensible (hmmm), I prefer to do my socialising in the early evening. I live in Mijas-Golf, and the best bar I have come across in all my years here is the Esparragal - or the 'Pub in the Park' as it´s commonly known. This hidden gem of a bar is situated in open parkland about 1km past the Tamisa Golf Hotel in the direction of Coin/Alhaurin, and plays host to hundreds of Spanish and English families at the weekends and a more motley crew during the week.

Me and my mate Dave (definitely part of the motley crew) have been known to enjoy a beverage or twelve until well after midnight at this popular joint, and you can spend far less in an evening here than you would spend in an hour or two elsewhere (depending how thirsty Dave is obviously). Draught Cruzcampo (it does taste better after the first 3) is €1 for a half pint, and a spirit and mixer is €3.50. The bar offers a simple menu, but everything is cooked to perfection, and the prices are unbeatable. Try the tomatoes with garlic and olive oil for €2 or the chicken wings for the same price. A selection of ´bocadillos´ and toasties is also available from €2.50, plus some of the best Manchego cheese you will taste at €6 a plate. I last visited recently with 4 friends, and we enjoyed toasties, pork fillet, fish fingers, chips, a plate of garlic tomatoes, two bottles of wine, two gin and tonics, 4 pints of beer and 3 orange juices. Four hours after arriving (hic!) the bill worked out at €10 a head. Not bad for an afternoon´s eating, drinking and merrymaking – not to mention a free suntan.

What you will find here is that although the drinks are cheap, the brands are not. No sign here of the infamous, hangover-from-hell inducing brands, which are popular in many bars on the coast. The vodka brands which usually end in the letters ´ov´ should carry government health warnings, and don´t be fooled by lots of bars advertising coffee and brandy for €2. The last time I was duped into this, the brandy tasted like ethanol (a popular tipple when I was in the Middle East, but hey, I had no choice there).

It is open every day except wednesday from 12 noon till late and from 5pm in July and August.

Oh and look out for the Romeria de Las Lagunas which takes place on the second sunday in June and ends up in the park - a massive paella is served free of charge plus copious amounts of sherry and tapas. Live music starts around 4pm.