ALOHA BAR

My interview with Manoli and Eduardo started off outside the garage of their house which is joined on to the Aloha cocktail bar. Manoli showed me one of the bushes that had been there from day one and now had grown to surround the whole area! We sat down outside and I chatted to this amazing couple that have put Cala’n Porter on the map with their amazing unique cocktails and enchanting live music and who can forget the karaoke!

Manoli explained she comes from Valencia, and Eduardo is from Cordoba and they both met here in Menorca in 1970. Eduardo was working as a bar manager at the Playa Azul hotel and Manoli worked at the supermarket underneath the hotel. In 1974, they got married and started renting the 007 the first Cocktail bar on the island! In 1976 they opened the Aloha Cocktail Bar. Now, working with your partner can be hard at times yet in the 28 years I’ve been here, I have never heard them argue. I went on to ask, how did they meet? Eduardo said ‘it was love at first sight.’ ‘Yes it really was!’ chipped in Manoli ‘and this year will be our 48th wedding anniversary!!’ as she took a sip of her chupito, ‘working at night time, working in a cocktail bar ‘till silly o’clock in the morning and being together 24/7 isn’t easy, but I listen to him, he listens to me, and if there’s a problem we’ll talk about it.’

We then went on to talk about the cocktails they are well known for! They are original cocktails, such as the Scorpion, Pago Pago and Suffering B.!! Everyone has a favourite! Each one has its own original shaped glass. You could easily stay mesmerized, watching how Eduardo gets given the order and before you know it, there are five fantastic cocktails in their own original glass ready to go.

‘Another hobby of ours is raising money for charity or even locals who may have had a hard time. We just like to help if we can. ‘ They have organised events for cancer all over the island raising a total of €7,400.

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They have also raised money for R&R, Rest and Recover. The last event raised over €3000 when the injured soldiers came out with some of the Gurkhas. The daughter of one of the Gurkhas went over to Manoli and gave her a flower and thanked her for all that she had done. Manoli is now trying not to cry telling me about the touching story of this little girl thanking her for helping her dad to recover after fighting in the war.

So to change the subject, I asked about her children. They went on to tell me they have Sergio and Patricia. Now, if you were wondering if working and living with so many English has had an influence on them whilst growing up the answer speaks for itself. Her son Sergio has an English wife, they were childhood sweethearts and now have an 8-year-old son. Patricia married a British guy and now lives in the UK with their two children, one of 4 years and the other, 10 months. Every occasion they can they are out in blissful Menorca.

Manoli and Eduardo have had enough of the long, exhausting, hot days and nights working in the Aloha and are ready for retirement. They want to be able to enjoy their grandchildren and enjoy the summer season relaxed. Manoli told me she has never been to the Rustic bar on the beach and just chilled!

If you do get the chance to pop in for a cocktail, soft drink, tropical juice or just to experience a night at the Aloha it is recommended to book a table so you can be near to the stage to hear the amazing live acts like Nathan Daniels, or the sometimes ‘surprising’ karaoke. It’s not to be missed!!

- Every Thursday from 9pm - Nathan Daniels – Souled on Motown

- Every Friday from 9pm - Karaoke!

Aloha Bar: Carrer de Xaloc, 10, 07712 Cala en Porter, Illes Balears