Social Scene Costa del Sol 23 – 29 October 2025 Issue 2103
Unite for Leonor
ON Friday, October 24, Benalmadena’s Plaza Adolfo Suarez will host the ‘Sí a la Vida por Leonor’ event from 2pm to midnight, raising urgent funds for 14-year-old Leonor, a local girl battling a severe brain tumour.
The event, organised by the El Vuelo de las Libelulas Association, aims to support her single-parent family with the €28,000 needed for specialised treatment in Germany, unavaila-
ble through social security. The community has rallied around Leonor’s inspiring bravery. The family-friendly event will feature live performances by artists including Nuevo Día, Esencia, and The Living Soul Band, hosted by Fina Mayo and Manolo Sarria. Affordable food and drink stalls, a children’s area with magicians and face painting, and home-made sweets will create a vibrant atmosphere.
Entry is free, inviting all to join in this show of solidarity. The event highlights Benalmadena’s commitment to supporting one of its own in a critical time.
Locals and visitors are urged to attend and share the event to help secure the funds for Leonor’s life-saving treatment. On October 24, the plaza will become a beacon of hope, uniting the community in Leonor’s fight for life.
Bold autumn menu
CASINO MARBELLA RESTAURANT has unveiled a vibrant autumn menu, showcasing five innovative dishes crafted by acclaimed chef Agustín Román. Known for blending Spanish traditions with international flair, the menu highlights high-quality, seasonal ingredients in a setting that balances exclusivity with accessibility.
Diners can savour Thai-inspired Tom Kha Chicken Soup, blending spicy, citrusy, and creamy notes, or Eggs with Artichokes and Ibericos, a bold Spanish dish with crispy textures. Beef Cannelloni offers a modern twist on comfort food, while Aged Beef Tataki delivers seared perfection with subtle accents. For dessert, Pistachio Mahalabia provides an aromatic Arabic finish.
Located within Casino Marbella, opposite Puerto Banus, the restaurant operates nightly from 8pm to 2am. Román, with over a decade at the helm and experien-
ce at Michelin-starred venues, ensures honest, flavour-driven cuisine under the motto ‘Eat, Feel, Repeat’.
Prices remain approachable, with valet parking available and a small casino entry fee (waived for diners).
Details: Edificio Hard Rock Hotel Marbella, Carretera Nacional 340, Km 178. ID required for entry. Book at casi nomarbella.com.
Mijas hills Oktoberfest
DONKEY DREAMLAND, the beloved donkey rescue sanctuary in Mijas, will host an Oktoberfest fundraiser on Saturday, October 25, from 2pm to 6pm.
The family-friendly event blends Bavarian traditions with animal welfare support. Tickets cost €5 and are available at the door or online at www. donkeydreamland.com/events.
Visitors can enjoy ice-cold beer, bratwurst, pretzels, live music, and games like ring toss and sack races. The highlight: close encounters with rescued donkeys.
Every euro from tickets, food, and drinks goes directly to caring for abused, abandoned, or neglected animals. The nonprofit provides veterinary treatment, feed, and safe enclosures in Mijas’ green hills.
The sanctuary reopened stronger after
a brief closure in August 2025 due to operational issues. This fundraiser is vital for its continued work in rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming.
The event raises funds while educating the public on donkey welfare. It offers a fun afternoon for families, beer enthusiasts, and animal lovers alike, ensuring second chances for these gentle creatures.
Don your lederhosen and come for beers with the donkeys.
Credit: VdlL
Credit: DD
Leonor and Vuelo de la Libeluas.
Credit: CM
Casino Marbella.
Get your fangs into Hook this
THIS Halloween, Hook is serving up scarily delicious eats and spine-tingling sports bar vibes right on the Torreblanca seafront. Whether you’re a ghost, goblin, or ghoul, there’s something at Hook to satisfy your monstrous appetite.
Step inside - if you dare - and discover why Hook has become the Costa del Sol’s haunt of choice for bold American-style flavours, killer wings, and a devilishly good time.
Wicked wings and sinister sauces
Hook’s famous crispy chicken wings are now sourced fresh from a local supplier, but the recipes still carry a touch of Nordic black magic. Slather them in Hook’s hauntingly good house-made sauces - from the tame Buffalo to the terrifyingly hot Suicide. Not for the faint of heart!
Looking to chill the burn? Wash it down with a thick, creamy milkshake - sweet enough to raise the dead.
Burgers, bites, and bewitching treats
Sink your teeth into a spellbinding menu of chargrilled burgers, Hook’s meatballs, and Hook’s chicken, with op-
tions for little monsters too, like the Kid’s Burger.
Prefer something lighter before your Halloween revelry? Hook offers fresh, crisp salads and devilishly good desserts
and cakes. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free options ensure that no soul goes hungry. Eat in or summon us with Glovo
Whether you’re throwing a Halloween party or binge-watching horror flicks at home, Hook is just a few taps away on Glovo.
Get your fright-night feast delivered straight to your crypt - no broomstick required.
But for the full Hook experience, dine in and catch the latest sports action on screen with a drink from the well-stocked bar - featuring wines, draught beers, cocktails, and soft drinks.
Event spaces for the living (and the undead)
Planning a Halloween bash, children’s party, workshop, or wicked celebration? Hook’s VIP lounge is the perfect setting for your eerie event. Fully equipped and creepily cosy, it’s where memorable moments (and maybe a few hauntings) come to life.
This Halloween, don’t settle for tricks - treat yourself to Hook!
Costumes welcome. Appetite required.
Hook is located at Paseo Maritimo 106, Torreblanca, Fuengirola. Book your table (or coven) at: 646 256 632. Browse the menu: restaurantehook.es Delivery on Glovo. Opening Hours: • Monday to Thursday: 15.00 - 24.00 • Friday and Saturday: 13.00 - 24.00 • Sunday: 13.00 - 22.00
Turkish day at Bazlama
BAZLAMA Turkish restaurant in El Paraiso, Benamara, will host a vibrant celebration of Turkish Republic Day on Wednesday, October 29, marking Turkey’s founding in 1923. The event, located at Calle Isla Verde 12 between Marbella and Estepona, welcomes everyone to experience Turkish culture through food, music, and dance.
Guests can enjoy complimentary Turkish tea or coffee and sample gozleme, a traditional stuffed flatbread, with live bread-making demonstrations throughout the day.
The Bazlama team will share Turkish phrase cards for language enthusiasts. A lively party starts at 7pm, featuring a DJ playing Turkish music, traditional songs, and dan-
ce demonstrations. Guests are invited to join in, learn iconic dance moves, and wear red and white, the Turkish flag’s colours. Co-founder Sarah Moravvej said, “We’re thrilled to unite the Turkish community and share our culture.”
Bazlama is renowned for its authentic Turkish breakfast (€29, all-you-can-eat, 10am-5pm), offering fresh breads, cheeses, jams, and hot dishes. Diners can explore Mama’s Mezze and a new à la carte menu with meat and Aegean vegetable dishes from 1pm to midnight.
Reservations are available via 951 830 136, WhatsApp 622 749 506, or @bazla makahvalti.es on Instagram for updates.
Credit: Bazlama & EWN
Even Mayor Urbano is ready to toast Bazlama.
Cheese & wine fest
THE seventh Festival del Queso y el Vino transforms Mijas Pueblo’s Plaza Virgen de la Peña into a gastronomic haven from October 24 to 26. Over 20 exhibitors, including local bars like Porras and Radikal Mijas, and seven Malaga cheesemakers, will showcase artisanal cheeses from Buleri’s bold blues to Cabraline’s award-winning wheels.
These pair perfectly with Ronda reds and Axarquia whites, all at wallet-friendly prices.
Local haunts like La Plaza and Chema will serve tapas, ensuring no one leaves hungry.
A vibrant music lineup complements the feast.
Friday starts with Alvarock’s riffs at 2pm, followed by Remedios Fernandez’s flamenco at 5.30pm and Mami Curl’s soulful tunes at 7pm. Saturday features José Lucena’s flamenco at noon, Ben ‘One Man Thousand
Voices’ at 3pm, and Los Fabrizzios’ Beatles-inspired hits at 9.30pm. Sunday closes with Alejados’ mellow melodies at 4pm and Alokados’ anthems at 7pm.
Beyond food and music, pop-up workshops and ham-carving demos add flair.
The festival’s charm lies
in its community spiritcouples clinking glasses, locals rediscovering their village, and strangers bonding over manchego.
With Mijas Pueblo’s autumnal buzz, this is more than a food fest; it’s a celebration of Malaga’s culinary heritage. Visit for a taste of local cheese, wine, and culture. Salud!
Elviria’s Circus Circus
IN Elviria, Marbella, Circus Circus has emerged as East Marbella’s premier year-round nightclub, transforming quiet weekends into vibrant nights. Located discreetly on Paseo de Guatemala, this lively venue pulses with soul, Afro rhythms, house, garage, reggae, and occasional drum n’ bass, played through a top-notch sound system.
Local talents like Crissie Ryan, Zac & Bruno, and Jenny Dean perform alongside skilled mixologists crafting €5-10 cocktails. Entry is free, and event tickets (€10-20) often include a welcome drink, offering honest prices for quality entertainment.
Unlike Puerto Banus’s overly glitzy clubs, Circus Circus blends intimate warmth with electric energy, drawing a diverse crowd. Its varied programming includes tribute acts for Tina Turner and Fleetwood Mac, reggae nights with jerk chicken and rum punch, and karaoke sessions for budding stars. Standout events include Crissie Ryan’s July 2025 violin and vocal performance and August’s ‘One Love Vibes’ reggae night, both lauded for their high energy and complimentary cava. The dance floor stays packed until the early hours with
disco, 80s, and Motown hits.
Fast becoming a community hub, Circus Circus is Elviria’s go-to for music, laughter, and late-night memories. Don’t miss their Halloween Weekender on October 31. Visit Paseo de Guatemala 8, call +34 711 075 887, or check Instagram for details.
Cheese & Wine festival, Mijas Pueblo.
Midnight sounds of Amaria Harding.
Sea festival
ESTEPONA MARINA
hosts the Fiesta del Mar on Saturday, October 25 , a vibrant celebration of the sea’s cultural and natural riches, organised by Marinas del Mediterraneo and the Real Club Nautico de Estepona, with support from the Malaga Provincial Council. The event promotes sustainability and marine appreciation through diverse activities for all ages.
Kicking off at 10am, the festival offers sailing, rowing, and paddle surfing courses for various skill levels, running in three sessions until 6pm. Register at the Club Nautico or call 625 142 465.
From 10am to 7pm, Buceo Estepona showcases cutting-edge diving equipment. At midday, the Club Nautico Restaurant serves
Credit: Marinas Mediterraneo.es
affordable paella marinera, with proceeds aiding a local charity.
At 5.30pm, a screening of the documentary Malaga Sumergida highlights the region’s underwater biodiversity. The day ends with a lively concert from 7pm to 9pm at the marina’s outdoor area.
Senda Azul’s social media giveaways offer exclusive experiences,
including maritime excursions, catamaran rides, and scuba diving introductions. Follow their channels for details. The festival, part of a series across Malaga’s ports, fosters an educational and inclusive connection with the sea. Join the family-friendly event at Estepona Marina to celebrate and learn about the marine world.
Mijas walking tours
LOCAL champion fundraiser and Mijas expert Alan Boardman has opened bookings for his guided walking tours of Mijas Pueblo in November and December, with all donations supporting Donkey Dreamland sanctuary.
The charity took in 10 retired donkey taxis from the village this summer, stretching its resources. Funds are urgently needed for feed, vet care and upkeep.
Boardman’s three-hour walks wind through whitewashed streets, blending history, hidden spots and Costa del Sol links. A suggested €5 minimum donation per person applies. Tours have earned TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence for two years, with 95 per cent of reviews giving five stars. To date, they have raised more than
€27,000 for local causes.
“Donkey Dreamland rehabilitates animals that spent years carrying tourists,” Boardman said. “Every euro helps them avoid turning away donkeys in need.”
