Tablao Flamenco El Arenal — Attraction in Seville

Our second flamenco show in Southern Spain, our first in Seville. When I checked into my hotel and asked them to recommend a flamenco show they quickly booked us a front row table at the Tablao el Arenal. I arrived a few minutes early and spoke to the hostess to make sure we had the table reserved and to ask if I could photograph the show as I did the previous show in Jerez. Sadly, and I feel to their detriment, they do not allow photos or video during the show. I respected that decision and asked if I could take a few photos before the show. That is what you will see in this review. The room was large and the tables nicely set. The staff were formally dressed and the stage larger than the other show I saw. That show was more intimate in a small tavern. The show included a drink and some tapas. I was actually surprised at the number of dishes we got. The food was very good and the servers pleasant and polite. The show itself was excellent. As I said earlier, the no photo policy is a big negative for several reasons. One being that if you are on vacation and see such a great show you have no image memories to take back with you. You might as well see a flamenco show on TV. The other reason is that I think if people were to post their experience online with photos, they would get more people wanting to come. Seville has many other flamenco shows so there is certainly competition. The reason given for not allowing photos or video was to “protect’ the performers rights. These are not famous world class performers whose images and videos of their performances would damage their careers. In fact, I believe it would increase their exposure and their careers. So, if you don’t care to have a photographic memory of your experience it’s a good...

€65 for this rubbish! Came super excited and happy and it didn’t take long to feel absolutely horrible.

As a tourist, it would have been helpful if we could be explained how things worked at the flamenco show. I did not know we were limited to one drink - and everything was just basically an absolute mess cuz I got water and after that couldn’t get a drink. Food-wise, I was told there was going to be a lot of food but the food served was actually really little. Some of the food we don’t eat and the food we did is a solid 3/10.

The seats we got were really bad - we can’t even see the screen and the chairs are so uncomfortable even for 10 minutes let alone 2 hours or something for the performance. I wished I had booked a different Flamenco performance.

Have to add : The way customer feedback is handled here is also appalling. In response to me explaining that communication is lacking and we weren’t given the information as tourist to understand what came with our ticket, I was led outside for an explanation that water isn’t free. It’s amazing for a tourist to be treated this way in Spain to be publicly humiliated that ‘ water isn’t free’ like I’m some sort of a cheapskate. We paid thousands and thousands of $ to travel to Spain - I don’t appreciate being treated like a cheapskate. Also, the icing on the cake is being thrown the bill midway while the show is ongoing. Like do they think all tourist are going to flee without paying or something? Nothing is professional about this company.

Come here if you’re Spanish and if you’re a tourist - don’t come unless you want to be treated as a cheapskate and made to feel unwelcome.

Go learn some customer service ! Ruined...

This show is located on a quiet street away from the busier areas, but it is very well lit, and you can't miss the well marked entrance. There is no seating plan, so the earlier you get to the door before your time, the better the seat. Doors open exactly at the time specified, and there will be a lineup on the sidewalk. They are quick to seat people and be prepared to quickly decide what choices you want. You get a bottle of wine per two people, or sangria, or non-alcoholic drinks. There is an aperitif (no choice of drink) and water. There is a taster before the meal arrives - again, no choice, just a small mix of each type. You pick the appetizer, main and dessert for each person. After that, the items come out in quick succession after each plate is finished. The show is amazing - four 15-minute shows to fill the hour. The music, singing and dancing was top-notch. There really isn't a bad seat in the place, although a pole or two may block your view for a moment. I highly recommend this dinner and show. The meal was very good, and as mentioned, you'll love the...