I read a post about free tapas. Is that true or just for pretty girls?

A decade ago and before, a free small tapa with your drink was the rule. Nowadays, it is becoming the exception, at least in Madrid or Barcelona. Andalucia is still the paradise in that aspect, being Granada the top of it.

Yup. It's my experience that free tapas are still rather common throughout Spain in "normal bars" (not necessarily in tourist bars) - AS LONG AS you order a beer/wine first. But you typically only get ONE tapa per night. So, that is to say, you don't get one free tapa PER drink. That's why people go from one bar to the next to get one free tapa at each place.

At my little neighborhood bar here in Madrid where I live, depending on the hour, I'll not only get a free tapa with my drink but the barman will bring out a plate of tasty things too of which each patron can take one. I've been there before and had THREE free tapas with my one drink. But we're not talking "raciones" here. The free tapa could be a small plate of potato chips or an anchovy & red pepper on a slice of bread or a small slice of "tortilla de patata" or something like that. The free tapas are always small in portion.

¡Buen provecho!

Saludos, MadridMan :p

more likely in the "local" bars instead of the touristy bars.
we've been offered "interesting" items, seemingly as a "rite of passage" e.g. orejas, morcilla, squid eggs...ate them before asking what they were and we were recognized the next evening and treated like a regular...

I agree, Granada is on top of the list! At one place at the bottom of the Albaicin, they actually gave free bocadillos made to order! we were in heaven.
In Madrid you will get a tasty morsel (literally) in most bars!
Have fun!

You always get something with your drink, usually some olives or chips. If you go outside of the city than chances are you'll get more or if your a regular. BTW this doesn't apply to your cafe con leche in the morning only beer or wine in the evening.

Even in the terrazas in Madrid's Plaza de Chueca we were always (just last month, I think) given a plate of something with our first beer order in the afternoon. I've found the free tapa in the afternoon (either just before the lunch hour or just after) more common than not. In the evening, however, that might be a different story depending on the bar/terraza. In fact, I can't remember the last place which did NOT give a free tapa with our beer. A couple weeks ago we were at a terraza on Madrid's Plaza Santa Ana at about 4pm and we got a free tapa/plate of olives, I think.

Saludos, MadridMan

Kitty (from PA) writes: It's not just for pretty girls!

It's not unusual for the Barman to serve a small appetizer with your drink (ex. 2-Boquerones or olives or potato chips). You can odrer a Tapa which is a larger portion, or media ración or una ración of whatever he has displayed under glass on the countertop. Or, he will open a can of anchoas o mejillones if you order a ración.

In Toledo, at Taberna Ruan across from the Mozarabe Renfe Station, I ordered a Bocadillo de Jamon for my son: he was quite amazed when Rodolfo sliced the ham from one that was hanging from the rafters. He said that was the best ham sandwich he had ever eaten.

I find this discussion interesting on how tapas vary from region to region, city to city. I also find it sad to see that tapas are becoming less and less in some places.
Luckily tapas are still the norm in my husband's home town, León. It is the norm that every bar serves some tapa PER drink (usually beer and wine). So every time you order a "tinto de verano" (for example), you get a tapa. The Leoneses would complain if they didn't get a free tapa with each drink and the bar owners know that the clients go to the places with the best tapas. So any bar that wants to make money tries to have the best tapas. Tapas in León include patatas (ali oli, bravas and chips), champiñones al ajillo, sopa de ajo, sopa de trucha, croquetas, morcilla, queso curado, anchoas, pizza, garbanzos, tortilla, etc. The list goes on and on.
The times for tapas are (approximately) from 1 pm-3:30 pm and 8:30 pm-11 pm. Or just ask if they are still serving tapas or not. Some of the best places are in the "barrio húmedo" (the wet quarter). A place not to miss if you're in León!

This makes me want to visit Leon! Actually, it's been on my "to see" list for a while now--now even more reasons to go!

Went for tapas/drinks with a friend last Saturday night in Madrid and first went to one of the Museo del Jamón. We ordered a couple of beers and with it got a free tapa tray of about 8-10 slices of chorizo each almost 1/2 inch thick. Museo de Jamón seems to always give one free tapa with a drink.

Saludos, MadridMan

I have noticed that good tapas are on the rise. It's true there was a time when you were lucky if you got anything better than a plate of olives. They're good but a little tiresome after a while. It also helps if it's a place where the owner knows you. In my part of town (Ibiza, Narvaez, Retiro) "Tapeo" has gotten quite good. Try "El capricho" at the corner of Menorca and Lope de Rueda. One of the best new tapa places I have found is nearby too. It's a little off the beaten track for those in the very center of Madrid but it's not too far away and the tapas you get make it worth the trip. Even the waiter is one of those classic funny Madrid waiters with a quick and witty answer for everything.

The only thing is that I can't remember the name!!! (Aaah!)

But I do remember the directions. It's behind the Hotel Convención. Actually it's the back corner of the hotel, at the corner of Duque de Sesto and Maiquez. I'll see if I can't find the name. It's often quite full in the evening and once you go, you'll understand why.

Murdy, these tapas at "El Capricho" are free?? WOW! If so, I'm going to check them out one of these days.

Saludos, MadridMan

I used to like the tapas in Museo del Jamón. Then one day i saw the barman pick up a plate of half eaten chorizo/jamon and put the contents back into the main bowl they serve from.

That's right, the tapas at the Capricho are free. It sort of depends on the day and your luck, but they are generally better than usual. The other one behind the Hotel Convención, whose name I'll get when I get back, also serves free and abundant tapas. Check them out and others and let me know what you think.

Hi all (this is my first post on this site, by the way),

Going back to talking about Granada and Leon - it is true that they are the last two vestiges of hearty free tapas with every drink, but there is a difference in the philosophy behind it, if not the end result.

In Granada, it is a 'tapa' something to cover your drink with. The emphasis is on the drink; with the food it is (usually) a case of "you get what you're given".

In Leon, it is a 'pincho', a sample of something else off the menu. The emphasis is on the food - the intention is that you'll like what you've sampled and buy it off the menu.

I have to confess I have never been to Leon (I'm going soon), but this is what I was reliably told by a Spaniard who likes his food!

Damian

As a show of my dedication to providing only the most accurate information for you good people of the MadridMan message board, I have sought out and found the name of that bar/restaurant behind the Hotel Convención whose tapas were both free and abundant (i.e. I walked down the street and read the name outside). The place is called "Comarca de Aliste" on the corner of Maiquez and Duque de Seston (one street over from O'Donnell). If you get a chance, give it a try and let me know what you think. Hope I haven't set your expectations too high, but the two times I went, I was pretty impressed.

I agree with Damian Corrigan that in León the focus is more on the food and not so much on the drink. However, for anyone thinking about going to León don´t call the "tapas" "pinchos" when you are out and about. The Leoneses will not know what you are talking about! :p The only food they call a pincho is a larger slice of the Spanish potato omelet, un "pincho de tortilla". Other than that the larger portions are called "raciones" and unfortunately these are not free.
I am not an expert on the south of Spain, perhaps it common for tapas to be called pinchos in the south?

Actually one place I know it is common to call tapas pinchos is in the Basque Country (where you sometimes see it spelled pintxos). These are often quite elaborate and are placed on trays for people to either order or simply help themselves to. But careful (¡Ojo!), these are generally not free. When it's time to pay, you tell the bartender how many you have eaten and he factors that into the bill.

Thanks for the clarification guys. I also thought pinchos were also only in Basque, but that was what my friend told me. No, in the south they are not called 'pinchos' - just tapas.

Probably obvious to anyone who speaks Spanish, but a pincho is a pincho because it is usually pinchado (pierced). That is, it usually has a toothpick or skewer going through it (like pinchos morunos, for example).

When I lived in Madrid, we used to go to a tiny neighborhood bar called "El Porto" (i think?). It was a little narrow place within walking distance of C/Alberto Aguilera and the dueno was a crazy Portuguese man who had a penchant for inappropriately-shaped hats.

Anyway, you always got 5 or 6 different kinds of free tapas with each (cheap!!)drink you ordered. The bartender would scoop them up out of giant bowls sitting on the bar and line them up in front of you like a little buffet. Sadly, I didn't discover the place until I only had a few months left in Madrid.

If anyone knows of the place I'm talking about and remembers and address (or even a metro stop) I would appreciate the help! I want to send a friend there when she heads to Madrid in September...

(in Madrid) Last week we went into the below bar called "Café de San Milla" (or San M-something, can't remember and can't read it on the photo) on Calle de Toledo, 61 - right near the eastern of the three LA LATINA metro stations. We went in last Monday noon for a "clara con limon" (beer with lemon soda), sat at the bar and ordered. We were sitting there talking about free tapas and I mentioned this thread. My signifant other said something like: So we discussed this topic for awhile and midway through my drink I went downstairs to the restroom. Upon coming up the stairs to the bar I looked at my S.O. and she, upon seeing me, had a big grin on her face while she was pointing to the small plate of "Patatas Ali-Oli" in front of her. A FREE TAPA AFTERALL! hehehe.. Good story.

[img]http://qdqphotos.mappy.com/1/c/tbf/user=esphoto;uri=XHI2yGfU9OoT8TRmVoWolKpiMP91PJQVcLyG9a1UJfb8mG40oUXwV97E+vYqbwfY0kfWHkYlDG/hV8fempdLCJUQ2zCEHAPNfbv47FTdRMo2Iy2YHAE4dX2k94Rcf2ukrd1gdixXmyAvb8g3/EhQ+HGZwcWp5ot5EzCof1MngopD9nyiWjrEMg==[/img]
Calle de Toledo, 61 - near LA LATINA metro station.

Saludos, MadridMan

Pinxos in the Basque country, I believe, are usually skewered, but I think in much of the country they are not - un pincho de tortilla is "a pinch of tortillo", like a bite, or a nibble, etc.

"Pinch" is a false cognate. In Spanish, pinchar/pincho/pintxo does not mean "to pinch" or "a pinch"--rather it means "to poke or pierce" or "a toothpick/skewer." The origin of the term pincho/pintxo comes from this idea--even though today not all pintxos are pinchado, though most still are.

This is just speaking to the etymology of the term--of course we are all free to pinch our pintxos as much as we want. Though some are getting so large that they are more like a fistful than a pinch. Not that I'm complaining, mind you.

hi there, we had some great tapas in Granada. One place (I can't remember the name as wasn't the first place of the night ;-)), Gave a different tapa for each drink. They were always a small saucer size, so not large but after 3-4 of them (we decided to stay because they were so good) there was no need for dinner. They ranged from a few olives (#1) to a hot vege mix (like a ratatouille with tomato, onion, eggplant etc), hot chorizo casserole, was fantastic.