What happened to the 34 Bar Cercedilla?

The 34 Bar in Cercedilla became known for its appearance on “Kitchen Nightmares”, where Alberto Chicote encountered a burger restaurant run by a young couple, Laura and Juan, along with her sister, Estefanía. The concept mixed burgers, concerts, and a youthful atmosphere, but what truly made it “historic” was the chaos in the kitchen and the amount of frozen products being served, something Chicote himself harshly criticized.

The venue was located in Cercedilla, in the heart of the Sierra de Madrid, and aimed to be a meeting point for young people with live music and “trendy” fast food. On paper, it sounded good, but due to a lack of experience, personal conflicts, and poor organisation, it seemed more like an experiment than a solid business.

From 34 Bar to F&M Food and Music

After the intervention of the show, the 34 Bar changed its image and name: it became “F&M, Food and Music”, trying to leave behind its bad reputation and focus on a more refined concept. The decor was revamped, the menu was adjusted, and efforts were made to professionalise the service to attract the local audience again.

For a time, the change worked and the venue received quite positive reviews, with customers noticing improvements in quality and service. The media boost also helped: many people came out of curiosity after seeing the episode of “Kitchen Nightmares” and wanted to see if things had really improved.

Is the 34 Bar Cercedilla still open?

No, the former 34 Bar (later F&M Food and Music) is no longer in operation. The business announced its permanent closure on September 6, 2014, via its social media account, thanking customers for their support and officially saying goodbye.

Today, the venue no longer displays the original sign or the red awning that appeared on the show, and the project of the 34 Bar is part of the memory of fans of Chicote's programme and the locals of Cercedilla. Like many other establishments that went through “Kitchen Nightmares”, it had a temporary spike in interest but failed to establish itself in the long term.

Why did it end up closing?

The reasons for the closure combine several factors: lack of experience in hospitality management, a somewhat vague business model, and internal tensions within the team. The venue tried to be both a burger joint, a bar, and a space to promote the sisters' musical careers, which diluted the focus and complicated decision-making.

Although the show helped improve processes and reorganise the space, the structural changes needed to sustain the business over time were deeper than a simple renovation. In the end, the reality of the sector —tight margins, the need for consistency, and professional management— weighed more heavily than the television pull.

What happened to the 34 Bar team?

There is not much public information about Laura, Juan, and Estefanía after the closure of the venue. What is known is that once the business closed, each took their own professional and personal path, away from the media spotlight.

Considering the intense experience they went through —young entrepreneurship, television, business pressure— it is quite logical that they chose to continue their lives more discreetly. It is likely that this phase taught them many lessons about hospitality, teamwork, and, above all, what it truly means to run a business.

FAQ about the 34 Bar Cercedilla

• Is the 34 Bar Cercedilla still open?
  No, the venue closed permanently in 2014, just a few months after its time as F&M Food and Music.
• What was the 34 Bar called after the show?
  After the intervention of “Kitchen Nightmares”, it was renamed “F&M, Food and Music”, with a more modern image focused on fast food and music.
• Did “Kitchen Nightmares” help save the business?
  The show managed to temporarily improve the situation, attracted customers, and improved the venue's perception, but it was not enough to ensure its long-term viability and it ended up closing.
• Is there any information on what the owners are doing now?
  There is no detailed public information about the current situation of Laura, Juan, and Estefanía; after the closure, they stayed away from media exposure.