Despite my love affair with tapas bars, these can rarely be found in Northern Spain, as it is more of an Andulacian speciality. However, in the Basque region and Catalunya City bars they have a more recent concept of pintxos bars.
Our first experience of these bars was in Girona. Even though it was a Franchise we started our experience in Lazarran in Girona and found this is an excellent place to learn for beginners.
We ordered our drinks and chose beautifully prepared pintxos from the bar to enjoy. Pintxos are small slices of bread with various toppings, designed to be enjoyed while standing and chatting with friends in Catalans classic taverns. Purposefully small, so you can hold in one hand whilst taking a drink with the other. Don't forget to keep your cocktail sticks ! You will see why in a minute.
In the darkness of the evening we explored more of the alleyways just over the river.
Finally we found Zanpanzar and it was bouncing. Don't be intimidated here, or stand on the outskirts, but try and get in the middle of the bar where all the action is. You order a drink, help yourself to a plate and select a pintxos of your choice from the bar.
Then when its busy, they ring a bell and loudly announce in Spanish as each new tray of pintxos come out from the kitchen. A bar member will then often walk around and offer you one while they are still hot. You decide ? When you feel its time to leave simply shout "la cuenta" (the bill).
They then top up your bar bill (drinks are normally always paid at the end) and then they simply count the number of cocktail sticks left on your plate ! Often between one and two euros per cocktail stick !
This is a fantastic concept and very romantic, although I sadly feel this would not work in the UK.
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