Madrid customers prepay for drinks to save bar on the rocks from the pandemic

Owner Nacho Bustos and client Ivan Lopez chat as they sit at a table inside El Minibar bar amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Madrid, Spain, December 2, 2020. Picture taken December 2, 2020. REUTERS/Sergio Perez

MADRID (Reuters) - Faced with the prospect of closure amid the coronavirus pandemic, a cozy tapas bar in the centre of Madrid appealed to its clients in an emotional video in late October to help it stay afloat by paying for their food and drink in advance.

Over the past five weeks, El miniBAR has received 40,000 euros (36,220 pounds) from some 400 loyal customers who prepaid for food and drink they hope to return to the bar to enjoy later. Owner Nacho Bustos keeps a list and the customers just need to give their phone number so the amount is deducted from what they paid in advance.