Tough new alcohol rules are now in place at a much-loved holiday destination in Portugal. Changes in the consumption of alcohol were brought into effect yesterday (Wednesday) in Porto, Portugal, in an attempt to curb public drinking.

A new ‘containment zone’ has been implemented in the country’s second city. Between 9 am and 8 pm, alcohol will be banned from being sold in supermarkets, convenience stores, wine sellers, and souvenir shops. The zone will cover the whole of the city’s downtown quarter, including the nightlife area of Rua de Galeria de Paris.

Patrons wanting to enjoy an alcoholic beverage will still be able to purchase them during this time in Nightclubs, cafes, bars and restaurants. 

The new rules were designed to address the Portuguese city’s ‘bottellon’ culture, as per The Daily Mail. ‘Bottelon’ is a Spanish term for gathering in the street to drink alcohol, rather than going to a bar or restaurant and it has the potential to cause issues such as public anti-social behaviour. The custom originated in neighbouring Spain but has now spread into Portugal, where it has become increasingly popular, but has also worried officials who are concerned about disruptive drinking. 

It comes as  three major resorts in Majorca enforced alcohol consumption bans as Spain cuts happy hours, public drinking, and the sale of alcohol between 9:30pm and 8am local time.

An official said the ‘bottelon’ activities were ‘causing harm’ and ‘having an impact on urban security’ in Porto.  

According to local publication Portugal News, venues that violate the new rules could be ‘immediately closed’. 

The city’s mayor stated: “What we noticed is that the successive application of fines did not dissuade economic agents from continuing to violate the rules, because paying the fine was worth it, because the fines were low.”

Tougher rules against drinking seem to be increasing across the region with British Tourists warned that drinking in Spain and acting in an anti-social manner could now see them fined £2,500. The measures have been brought in by Spanish authorities in an effort to crack down on rowdy behaviour cause by the consumption of alcohol.