From Gambling to Coffee Stage: Bingo Balear Gets New Life

From Gambling to Coffee Stage: Bingo Balear Gets New Life

An empty building at the Plaza Comte del Rosselló is to become the cultural corner behind the Mercat de l'Olivar

Those who pass the Mercat de l'Olivar on a morning know the soundscape: delivery vans, vendors' calls, the clatter of fruit crates and somewhere the scent of freshly brewed coffee and fried fish. Right behind this bustle stands a building that has been closed since 2014 – the former Bingo Balear. It has been sold; the price: 2.4 million euros. The new owner is Mallorcan and has a plan that could change the neighborhood.

What used to be an office for bets and lucky numbers is intended to become a place where people sit together, talk and share small stage moments: a café-theatre is the declared goal; alternatively a restaurant or a cinema are also being considered. Formally, the procedure is already underway at Palma City Hall urban planning services: activity and building permits have been applied for. Such steps on the island often take a few months — and frequently longer if technical upgrades are required.

Why this sounds promising: the location is not coincidentally attractive. Plaza Comte del Rosselló is a hub between the market and the old town lanes; residents and market visitors pass through here. A café-theatre could serve as a neighborhood meeting point during the day and in the evening complement Palma's cultural offerings with small plays, readings or concerts. For people working around the market it would be a short walk after work to have an espresso or attend a cultural evening.

Of course, the idea also raises questions. How will soundproofing be handled when performances take place in the evening? Are parking and delivery options sufficient without disrupting the market's logistics? And what accessibility will the owner guarantee for residents and people with reduced mobility? These are the kinds of points the city council will examine, and the neighborhood will be able to have its say.

A café-theatre would not only be a cultural gain but also a small economic signal for the area: jobs in hospitality, technical support, cleaning and administration; additionally walk-in customers for bakeries and small shops around the plaza. The market street lives on short trips and spontaneous encounters — the new offering could strengthen that dynamic, similar to 300,000 euros at the Born: Cappuccino Group revives the bar in Casal Solleric — opportunities, risks and open questions.

Construction and renovation will bring together craftsmen, architects and authorities. The building is older and needs checks on structural integrity, electrics and fire safety. If it becomes flexible spaces with a small stage, bar and seating areas, some conversion work can be expected. Alternatives such as a restaurant or cinema are also on the table — each concept would have its own advantages and disadvantages for the neighborhood and traffic situation. Local business networks have also been active, for example Between Coffee Stall and Business Lounge: RCD Mallorca Launches Business Club for the Island.

A small everyday observation: walking across the plaza you notice how many people use the steps in front of the market hall to pause for a moment. A café-theatre could give these habits a formal setting: a place to meet before or after the market. It may sound modest, but such places are exactly what make neighborhoods lively.

Outlook: If permits are granted as planned and the investor proceeds quickly with the renovations, the building behind the market could have a new function within a year. For Palma this would be another step toward €300,000 for the Bar in Casal Solleric: Cultural Value vs. Highest Bidder — a recurring topic on the island. For residents it offers a chance to help shape the transformation; for culture lovers it could become a new meeting point.

Conclusion: Not a grand promise, but a practical prospect: from the quiet bingo building could come a place where the coffee tastes good, conversations start and the small stage feels big. It remains to be seen how the details will play out at City Hall — but the idea has the potential to bring a bit of life back to Plaza Comte del Rosselló.