Manuel Gutiérrez Busto recalls La Silla del Rey after its closure on 9 August 2026, following 42 years in business.
La Silla del Rey closed on 9 August 2026 after 42 years. Writing in LA SIDRA, Manuel Gutiérrez Busto remembers a cider house in Uviéu that had been part of several generations’ lives.
His account looks beyond the building and the business name. For him, a chigre’s identity also depended on the people running it and the cider it served. Félix and his brother-in-law Arturo are central to that memory; Arturo remained in charge until the closure.
Fran cider and traditional hand pouring stand out in the account. Gutiérrez Busto describes a place without pouring devices, where bottles, small servings of cider and conversation belonged to everyday life.
The tapas also left a lasting impression: broth in winter, octopus, lacón, cured meats, cheese and boiled eggs. Small sardines, baby squid, calamari and occasional stews later joined the offering. The bar changed over time, but his memory keeps food, cider and the counter closely connected.
Football and support for Real Uviéu added to the atmosphere. In his recollection, screens and match days belonged to the same social setting as the bottles on the tables.
This article recalls the chapter that ended in August 2026. The original account mentions possible new operators but does not confirm a reopening or describe a new offering. It records the memory of a cider house and the people who gave it life.
Other LA SIDRA articles explore traditional cider pouring and what defines a chigre. The story of Casa Vila offers another perspective on the people behind cider houses.
The discussion of the future of Asturian cider houses adds wider context. This recollection of La Silla del Rey is adapted from Manuel Gutiérrez Busto’s contribution to LA SIDRA 269, September 2026.
