Restaurateurs say cheers to Vodka's absence

Morena's Vodka did not form part of last night's Eurovision song contest but wine was still flowing at local restaurants as otherwise-vacant covers were filled since Malta failed to reach the final.

As thousands of local viewers in a Eurovision-obsessed country no longer felt the need to watch the show on TV, bookings at restaurants poured in after Malta was eliminated in Thursday's semi-final.

Some restaurants had already experienced a bad week due to the Champions League final and the Eurovision semi-final. But they were much more upbeat yesterday.

Justin Calleja from Tal-Familja restaurant in Marsascala said that several bookings were made once Morena's song was eliminated on Thursday.

Mr Calleja said bookings on Eurovision night were normally drastically lower than other weekends, but this year the number of diners would definitely be up on previous years.

Mamma Mia restaurant owner Lino Pullicino echoed the same sentiments. He said that whenever Malta qualified for the final, less than half the dining tables were normally occupied and staff took the opportunity to slow down and take a break.

He said the Ta' Xbiex restaurant did not normally accept bookings on Saturdays. However, he was expecting a good turn-out last night.

But as some restaurant owners rejoiced, bars that went to the trouble of organising a big screen for the event were somewhat disappointed.

Ottavio Suda, owner of Heat bar and restaurant at the Valletta Waterfront, said the song festival was going to be aired on a big screen as planned.

"The turnout will probably be the same, but the atmosphere will be different," he admitted.

Similarly, Marco Sacco, the restaurant manager from Excelsior Hotel, said the hotel would also go ahead and put up a screen as planned. He too said that the turnout would not be affected with about 150 booked covers, consisting of both Maltese and foreign patrons, for a buffet at the lido where the screen was put up.