Did you know that the oldest bar in Seville is called El Rinconcillo? In LOCK & enjoy! we will explain what are the curiosities and charms of one of the most traditional corners of the Andalusian capital.
If you decide to come, reserve one of our Lockers in Seville so you can leave your backpack or suitcase while you enjoy a wonderful day in the center of Seville.
Downtown Seville: curiosities and charms of El Rinconcillo
Before going on to explain in more detail what is so special about this place, take note of the address: Gerona street, 40.
The oldest bar in Seville
El Rinconcillo is the oldest bar in Seville. The establishment has more than 350 years of history because it opened its doors in 1670. At the end of 1800, the owner family bought the house next door (Calle Alhóndiga, 2) and the tavern that is known today was born. The house on Gerona Street was kept as a tavern and the new house was used as a grocery store. In the 60’s the groceries began to disappear, leaving only the bar.
A very curious fact that highlights the historical importance of this place is that it opened under the reign of Charles II, and since then there have been 15 kings and 4 different dynasties.
Seven generations of the De Rueda family have made it possible for it to be the oldest bar in Seville. It is currently run by brothers Carlos and Javier.
Andalusian decoration
If you like art, visit Seville and, consequently, El Rinconcillo. Andalusian decoration is present in practically every element of the bar.
The ancestral ornamentation amazes all those who visit this historic place. Let’s make a small review of the most relevant decorative elements:
- Second floor. The counter is made of mahogany, and the barrels have been transformed into authentic Andalusian candlesticks. You can also sit on the wooden chairs that accompany the marble tables that preserve the traditional Sevillian style. There are shelves full of old bottles that are a good sign of the passage of time. For us, LOCK & enjoy!, the best thing about the place are the tiled walls of the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
- Second floor. The restaurant is located here and follows the same style as the second floor. It is a stately space, with brick walls, Andalusian masonry and large windows.
Always open
El Rinconcillo has withstood the various events that have marked the history of Spain such as, for example, the Spanish Civil War or the War of Independence. It never closed its doors until the arrival of the pandemic in 2020. In fact, that year the celebrations could not take place because of its 350th anniversary.
Signage
Throughout the premises there are a number of signs that are also a good indicator of the passage of time. We explain the most striking ones and their meaning:
- “Singing is strictly forbidden”. Although it may seem a joke, this type of sign was very common during Franco’s dictatorship. The objective was to maintain a certain order inside the premises.
- There is an original poster of the Spring Festival of Seville in 1929.
- “Chato de Jerez a 40 céntimos”. This sign was placed in the 1920s and has been there ever since. In the old days, it was very common to serve chatos de vino to customers, hence the sign informing the type of wine and its price.
At LOCK & enjoy! we advise you to visit this place without haste so you can stop at each decorative element and learn more about Andalusian history.
Staff
The waiters who work in this bar are true professionals. In addition, they also keep the traditional style in the way they work. For example, the customers’ drinks are written down with chalk on the bar and then erased once the customer requests the total amount in order to be able to pay. We would also like to point out that they cut the ham with just a flick of the wrist, which allows them to prepare delicious tapas of this product.
Why is it called El Rinconcillo?
The origin of the name is not known with certainty. However, the most accepted theory has to do with the
Come and visit El Rinconcillo in Seville! Reserve a Lockers with LOCK & enjoy! to enjoy a day of leisure, gastronomy and culture in the city of Seville. You can hire through the web, but if you have any questions, please contact us.
