We take a tour of the capital's neighbourhoods where free beers and tapas go hand in hand. Bars, taverns, inns, beer bars and places popular for their generous and delicious dishes, where you can go in for a glass of wine, a cider, a beer or any other drink and leave with a full stomach. Because tapas in the most Andalusian style also exist in Madrid. And we're not talking about the typical plate of olives or chips. Authentic free snacks that look like rations: From mini hamburgers, patatas bravas, Spanish omelette, empanada or scrambled eggs with peppers. Are you hungry? Then take note of these addresses and enjoy a tasty tapa from Madrid paying only for the drink. Let's start in the Malasaña neighbourhood
Petisqueira
Its varied tapas accompanied by a beer are famous all over Madrid. It's a large bar with plenty of tables, although at weekends it's difficult to get a seat. Every drink here comes with mini hamburgers, patatas bravas or alioli, sandwiches, ensaladilla, croquettes or portions of potatoes with sausages if you order a lot of them. A couple of rounds and you leave with a full stomach.
Address: Calle Churruca, 6
Petisqueira II
Very close to here, in calle Mejía Lequerica 17, is the other place of the same name. The same choice of cañas, vermouth, callos a la madrileña and bravas, just as generous.
Indalo Tapas
I'm sure you've seen several places with this name all over Madrid. This bar first opened in Alcalá de Henares at the end of the 80s and word quickly spread about its free tapas with every drink. Here the waiters can serve anything from croquettes, hamburgers, scrambled eggs with ham or potato omelette and chistorra sausage. Also, if you want to share rations or combined dishes, they have a varied menu.
Address: calle Pérez Galdós, 7
The White Dove
One of the bars in the area where the cañas become tubes and the tapas become raciones. You can be served anything from the popular fried eggs, stewed potatoes or Russian salad. In short, you'll leave the bar more than eaten. A highly recommended beer bar, especially when you go out with a group of friends because the dishes are plentiful.
Address: Calle del Espíritu Santo, 21
El Tigre Cider House
This is one of the most touristy bars in Malasaña and, therefore, more crowded than the previous ones. If you get a spot at the bar, order a cider or a beer and you'll see what they bring you next. From Serrano ham, omelette, patatas bravas,... the dishes vary with each round you order and, best of all, the food is free. Despite the hustle and bustle of people, it's worth going in for a drink.
Address: Calle de las Infantas, 30
El Respiro
Just a few metres from the Tigre is another bar where they serve fresh beer and their tapas are also free. What can we try here? From paella, chicken with garlic, potatoes with sausages... depending on the day, they vary the dishes. The tapas are quite generous and with a couple of beers you'll leave full. We recommend you to go during the week, on Saturdays and Sundays it's difficult to find a place.
Address: Infantas, 34
We leave the Malasaña neighbourhood and go to the most central point of Madrid, Sol. Around kilometre zero you'll find several options for a free beer and tapa. These are our suggestions
The Rincón Abulense
Each round of drinks comes with a hearty and tasty tapa. From chicken wings, meatballs, mussels, salad or sausages. The tapas are usually homemade and simple. In the evenings it is usually quite busy.
Address: Caballero de Gracia, 18
Malaspina
Also very close to Puerta de Sol, we find this bar where there is no shortage of free tapas with the corresponding drink. One of their most popular dishes is the huevos estrellados con jamón y pimientos (fried eggs with ham and peppers) and their delicious bravas. As it is a very touristy area, it is always full, so before you go in, assume that you will be eating standing up.
Address: Calle de Cádiz, 9
Living Tides
If you want to go for tapas in the Callao area, we suggest this bar where the star tapas are the bollitos preñaos de pan con chistorra. The beer is reasonably priced and the tapas are plentiful and free. The dishes that come from their Galician cuisine vary, from potatoes with padrón peppers, empanadillas or battered fish. Of course, it's hard to get a place at the bar when it's time for tapas. But be sure to give it a try.
Address: Calle Veneras, 3
We moved away from the centre of the capital to go for tapas in the Quevedo area.
La Nueva Tavern
Near the glorieta de Quevedo we find this tavern with a small wooden bar that offers pinchitos (small skewers) fresh from the kitchen. Tortilla, boquerones, cheese, salchichón... and always accompanied by a cold beer or a well-priced wine.
Address: calle de Arapiles, 7
La Pequeña Graná
This tapas bar with a Granaíno flavour, located 10 minutes from Atocha station, welcomes you with a huge menu of free tapas. You choose it with every drink. Among its proposals: mini hamburger, brochette of battered prawns and cuttlefish, scrambled eggs with ham, fried aubergine with honey, crispy cannelloni, patatas bravas, boletus croquettes, fajita bolognese or a delicious Andalusian bienmesabe. It also offers raciones and menus at reasonable prices.
Address: Calle de Embajadores, 124
Between Cáceres and Badajoz
In the heart of the Salamanca district we find this taurine tavern where the beer barrels become stools. The speciality of the place is tapas and raciones with an Extremaduran flavour. With each round of drinks you get one or more tapas, quite varied. Such as paella, potatoes with chorizo or calamari.
Address: Calle Don Ramón de la Cruz, 109
Pintan Tapas
In the Chamberí neighbourhood we can also go for free tapas. Here we find tapas and homemade dishes of high quality. Seafood salad, croquettes, bravas, lacón, stuffed omelettes,... They also have a terrace.
Address: 38 Galileo Street
Ondiñas Do Mendo
Very close to the Estrecho metro station, we find this mesón, ideal for tapas if we are in the area. Bravo Murillo area. Ask for your drink and the waiters will give you a choice of tapas from a wide variety: empanada, squid, octopus, potatoes with meat, omelette... On weekends, try to be there early for the aperitif because it fills up quickly.
Address: calle Villaamil, 4
Casa Pepe Madrid
Our last proposal is the furthest from the centre of Madrid. In the Pilar neighbourhood We invite you to visit this bar where the chicken wings are the star of the tapas. With a beer you get a dish that could well be a portion, and it's free. They also offer a choice of ear in sauce or tortilla. In the neighbourhood it is better known as “Pepe el guarro”, a nickname due to the amount of wing bones you find lying on the floor of the bar. It has a good terrace to enjoy tapas even during the hot months.
Address: 19, Celanova Street
