Mayor José Luis Sanz has presented the plaque that distinguishes Bar Arenal Ventura as an Emblematic Establishment of Seville, a recognition that highlights over 80 years of history in the Arenal district.
Bar Arenal Ventura, founded on December 4, 1944, now displays on its facade the plaque that certifies it as a Emblematic Establishment of the City of Seville. The mayor, José Luis Sanz, handed over the distinction during a visit to the venue, located in the heart of Arenal.
The recognition, granted by the City Council in 2024, distinguishes businesses with more than forty years of activity that stand out for their unique character or the value of the building they occupy. In the case of Ventura, the century-old building is protected by the Special Protection Plan for the Historic Complex of Seville and retains original elements such as its bar with bronze mouldings and mahogany armrests.
A legacy of three generations
Behind the counter of Ventura lies a family story that began with Ventura Pérez, a native of Palencia, and is now continued by his grandchildren: Raquel, Cristina, Ventura, and Patricia Pérez Armíger. They represent the third generation at the helm of the business.
“Behind this recognition is a family that has managed to safeguard a legacy for three generations,” Sanz noted during the event. “Thanks to that commitment, today Seville continues to enjoy an establishment that has managed to keep its identity intact.”
The mayor emphasised that Ventura is not just a bar, but a living heritage of the city. “Entering Ventura is entering a piece of Seville's history. Its original bar, its historic tiles, the old beer taps, or the pieces that decorate its walls make this establishment a true living heritage.”
A meeting point for brotherhoods and bullfighting
The establishment has deep roots in the Arenal district and is closely linked to the brotherhoods of Seville's Holy Week. Sanz highlighted that “it is an extension of the brotherhoods of Arenal, a meeting place for brotherhood members throughout the year and a true second home for corporations such as Carretería, Baratillo, Jesús Despojado, Las Aguas, or La Pura y Limpia.”
Additionally, Ventura maintains a close relationship with the bullfighting world. Ventura Pérez, the founder's son, was alguacilillo of the Real Maestranza for over fifteen years. “The walls of Ventura are a living museum of Seville's bullfighting. Every photograph, every poster, every memory speaks of a fundamental part of our history,” the mayor added.
Commitment to historic commerce
Sanz stressed that the City Council maintains a strong commitment to the protection of the city's historic commerce. “Emblematic establishments are an essential part of Seville's heritage. They are places that generate identity, strengthen our neighbourhoods, and keep alive the traditions that make this city unique.”
For the residents of Arenal and regular customers, the plaque is a well-deserved recognition. “Ventura is much more than a bar. It is a meeting place, a place of history, of tradition,” commented a customer while having a coffee at the bar. The plaque, placed on the facade, will help Sevillians and tourists identify this corner as part of the city's living heritage.
The Emblematic Establishment distinction is awarded to businesses with more than 40 years of activity that stand out for their uniqueness. In Seville, several venues already display this recognition, and Ventura joins a list that aims to preserve the identity of traditional hospitality.
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