As many Eurovision fans opted to watch Malta’s Kurt Calleja from the comfort of their home yesterday, a number of restaurant owners cursed the popular song contest for keeping customers away.

Bar owners changed their plans at the last minute when they saw the euphoria out there…

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad that Malta finally made it to the finals… but to me this means about 50 per cent less business, as people prefer to stay in the quiet atmosphere of their home, where there are no distractions,” said the owner of a large restaurant in Qawra.

He said he knew many other restaurant owners who faced the same situation as Eurovision kidnapped diners.

“Thank God it comes once a year,” he half-joked, adding food delivery would do well on such a night.

And he was right. The manager of a popular pizza delivery service, Pizza by Luca, said the company was prepared to be busier than usual – and also busier than last year’s Eurovision night when Malta failed to make the finals. She said people started ordering food at the beginning of the week as they planned a night indoors with family or friends.

Philip Fenech, from the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises – GRTU, said he received “mixed reactions” from bar and restaurant owners about the Eurovision final.

Whereas some complained their establishments would be empty, others geared themselves up for one of the busiest nightsof the year.

“The quieter restaurants are the ones that suffer most. But those who can equip themselves for the occasion by setting up big screens do very well and for them the Eurovision means better business,” he said.

These included Peppi’s Kiosk in Sliema, Zmerċ Pub and Melita Gardens in Balzan, Fortress wine bar in Xemxija and Rookies Sports Bar in Buġibba.

Mr Fenech said political party clubs and band clubs were among those who usually went all out and set up screens for the night.

He was aware of bar and restaurant owners who thought Malta would fail get to the final, as it failed to do in the past three years. As a result, they did not plan to install screens.

“But they changed their plans at the last minute when they saw the euphoria out there,” he said.

Like an important football match, the Eurovision final “kills bar hopping”, he said, adding that people stick to one venue as they get glued to the screen.

“So it’s really about capturing a sizable crowd. They will not move so you have to attract the crowd from the beginning of the evening,” he said.

Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association president George Micallef said he knew various hotels and restaurants made sure patrons could watch the show. Some hotels even dedicated halls or special areas to Eurovision.

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