Beachfront venue, Opium, compelled to shut down due to persistent noise complaints and traffic issues.
Opium Beach Club, a popular venue on Pinillo Beach in Marbella, will not be opening its doors for the summer season of 2025. The Marbella Council has revoked the club's operating licence due to persistent complaints from local residents about noise, traffic congestion, and safety concerns.
The administrative action follows years of litigation and resident pressure, particularly from the Lindasol and El Real Panorama neighbourhoods. The decision was formalized after the expiry of a crucial provisional permit from the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT). The council's decree mandates the immediate cessation of all operations and the removal of all temporary structures without compensation.
The closure is not the first time Opium Beach Club has faced such a fate. In November 2022, its licence was previously revoked, but owners managed to secure new authorisations, including a 2025 permit to operate as a hospitality venue without music—though this was also revoked after continued local opposition. High-profile incidents, such as a shooting at the club in July 2022, further galvanized community action against its operations.
Residents' complaints about noise pollution, traffic congestion, and safety concerns were the key issues leading to the closure. The club's failure to comply with licensing and permit requirements also played a significant role in the situation.
Despite the club's troubles not being solely due to resident pressure, the closure represents a significant victory for the community. Residents challenged the new permits through the courts, leading to the latest revocation. They continue to pursue a separate criminal case against Opium Beach Club in Marbella's courts.
At present, there is no indication from official sources or recent reports that Opium Beach Club has immediate plans to reopen. The council’s decree signals a decisive—and likely lasting—closure, at least in its previous form. The expiration of essential permits (such as the DGT provisional permit) and the requirement to remove all structures further complicate any potential revival.
The saga of Opium Beach Club appears far from over, but for the summer of 2025, the club's facilities are to be dismantled, and its operations are halted.
- In light of persistent concerns regarding noise, traffic congestion, and safety, the council's revocation of Opium Beach Club's operating license marks a significant victory for the Lindasol and El Real Panorama neighborhoods, as the closure is not solely due to resident pressure but also the club's failure to comply with licensing and permit requirements.
- The decision to temporarily shut down Opium Beach Club for the summer season 2025 extends beyond licensing issues, as it also involves general-news topics such as community advocacy and crime-and-justice matters, with high-profile incidents like the shooting in July 2022 further fuelling local opposition to the club's operations.
