4,500 US Marines in Palma: How Bars, Restaurants and Shops Are Responding

Landing with Consequences: Where in Palma the Mood Is Rising

The colossus at sea has stirred the old town a bit. Since the aircraft carrier anchored in the bay off Palma, at some corners there are noticeably more guests—especially on the Passeig del Born and around Plaza Gomila. I was out last night around 9 p.m.: three venues suddenly had queues, the DJ on the corner cranked up, and the waiters seemed quite satisfied, if a bit out of breath.

Why only some businesses profit

It is not a nationwide boom. Some cafés, tapas bars and beach venues report full tables, others in side streets hardly notice anything. Classic: a small cafe on Calle Sant Miquel filled with young soldiers queuing for coffee and sandwiches. In the larger restaurants by the sea there were short notice reservations for groups -- especially in the early evening between 7 and 10 p.m.

Simply put: The impact depends on location and offering. Bars with casual dining and international menus do well. Boutiques and delicatessens so far look on, some still hope for late sales.

How the shopkeepers tick

Several shop owners near the Porto Pi shopping center told me that since the anchor they have somewhat more foot traffic, but no significant turnover yet. An owner of a souvenir shop on Avenida Jaime III dryly said: If they only come for the food and take photos, they don't buy much, except a beer in the evening.

Entry-level jobs for temporary help? Some restaurateurs hire extra staff for the week — from waiters to kitchen helpers. Others stay conservative: too short-term, too uncertain.

How the city is reacting

The presence of around 4,500 crew members also leads to more taxi rides, more seats on terraces and a noticeable demand for international dishes. The Navy will stay in the bay until next Wednesday — enough time for some early economic effects to show, but not long enough to trigger lasting trends.

A practical tip: If you like the calm before the rush, mornings between 9 and 11 a.m. are still good to go. In the evenings: reserve or hope for luck.

Will this ultimately bring more revenue to the whole city? Possible, but it will be unevenly distributed. For some bar owners it is a welcome extra, for retail it is a more uncertain plus. Still, for a few days Palma feels more lively, louder and a little more American than usual. And you can notice it especially at the cash register of some bars.