The summer in the Balearic Islands beckons with sun, beaches, and vibrant life. But alongside the rising temperatures, prices often soar, especially in hotspots like Ibiza. A restaurant visit can quickly become expensive, but one tourist recently had a surprise that went far beyond a typical price increase, sparking a debate about the practices of some restaurateurs.
The Unexpected Item on the Bill
What was supposed to start as a relaxed drink with friends ended in a disbelieving confrontation for X user Laura. In a restaurant in Ibiza, a supposedly kind gesture turned into a costly affair. Laura described the incident on the social media platform: “The waitress kindly offers to let us put our bags on a hook on the table. We declined her offer, but upon her insistence, we accepted.” A small service, it seemed, but the true intention was only revealed later.
La camarera nos ofrece amablemente colocar nuestros bolsos en un ganchito en la mesa. Declinamos su oferta pero ante su insistencia aceptamos.
— laU (@LauraCunei) August 12, 2025
Nuestra sorpresa al ver la cuenta…
¿Es normal @soycamarero?
¿Es legal @consumidores @consumogob? @Diario_de_ibiza @EivissaIbiza pic.twitter.com/vsLNRsdQDN
The Moment of Shock: 12 Euros for a “Handbag Hook”
The rude awakening came with the bill. Among the drinks was an item that left the group stunned: 12 Euros for “Taschenhaken” (handbag hook). A fee was charged for using the previously pushed hook, without any prior communication. “When we saw the ticket, we told them it didn’t seem normal to pay for that because we hadn’t asked for it,” Laura explained. The restaurant’s response was just as bizarre: they offered to let them keep the hook as a souvenir. Faced with their protest and incredulous expressions, the charge was finally removed from the bill.
Viral Outrage and the Question of Legality
Laura’s post spread like wildfire, reaching over 536,000 views. Thousands of comments sharply criticized the practice. The incident raises an important question: Is something like this even legal? The Spanish consumer protection organization OCU responded to the controversy, referring to its complaint platforms. Another user summed it up perfectly: in principle, such a service could be charged for, but only if the cost is transparently listed on the price menu. “They are using the omission of information,” he criticized. The restaurant was thus exploiting a legal gray area.
Other users shared similar experiences, from a mysterious euro for “various” items on an ice cream parlor bill to a 15-euro charge for using cutlery. These stories show that this is not an isolated incident and that both tourists and locals should be cautious. The case of the 12-euro handbag hook is a stark reminder to always check bills carefully and to question any unclear charges immediately.
