One of the best ways to soak up Spanish culture is to go out for Tapas. Tapas are appetizers that a number of bars will give to their customers for free when they purchase a drink. I had never heard of bars that just gave away food for free when you buy a beer, but here in Spain it’s the norm. For those of you who have never experienced tapas, this is guide is for you.

Finding a place to go:

This might be the hardest part of the entire experience. There are so many Tapas Bars in Madrid it will make your head spin, but I would recommend those near Puerta del Sol and Gran Vía. The most popular ones are in this area of the city. Also if you see a bar with a lot of napkins and trash on the ground, you should go to that bar. This usually means that the food is very good.

Ordering Drinks:

To begin your tapas experience, you must first order drinks. In many tapas bars there is one specific location to order your drink so you may have to fight through the crowd to order your drink. Once you get to the bar, you have a few options. The cheapest is to order a caña, or small cup, of beer. The size of the cup will vary depending upon where you go, but the beer in Spain is very good so it is always a good choice. Also it is incredibly cheap I’ve seen a caña go for as little as €.40. The next good choice is tinto de verano. Tinto de verano is the less touristy version of sangria. It is made out of red wine, sparkling lemonade, and fruit and is a delicious alternative to beer when on a budget. Finally, if it’s later in the night, you could order a cocktail. Each bar has its own specialty which can range from gin and tonic to watermelon mojitos. These drinks are usually more expensive, but are always tasty.

The Food:

After paying for your drink, the bartender will serve you a number of different delicious foods, but unlike traditional bars and pubs, you don’t order your food. The bartender will usually just grab whatever food he has nearby, so each time you go to a tapas bar is different. One of the most commonly served foods, my favorite, are croquetas. These are little fried balls of mashed potatoes, cheese, and ham. If you like mozzarella sticks you will love these fried pieces of heaven. Another common tapa is tortilla de patatas which is basically a giant omlette with potato and onion. Tortillas are sometimes served with a spicy tomato sauce called salsa brava and or with fresh bread. And as with all other Spanish restaurants and bars, jamón serrano is another very commonly served food. It is a type of cured ham and is very salty, but still delicious.

Why Go:

Tapas bars are a very big part of Spanish culture. Every bar you go to, you can see people chatting and interacting with each other. It is a great place to practice your Spanish speaking and comprehension. These bars are also a cheap alternative to going out to an expansive restaurant for dinner. Many tapas bars give you large portions of food so you can fill up on a budget. Additionally, if you are thinking about going to one of the great clubs in Madrid, like my favorite Gabana, then this is a great way to get the night started. The drinks are all very inexpensive compared to drinks at a club which can cost up to €20. All in all, tapas bars are a great way to experience Spanish culture, especially when you are on a budget.

Connor Haubert

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