ir de tapas
to go on a tapas crawl / to go bar-hopping for small plates
Pronunciation
/iɾ de ˈta.pas/
Cultural Note
More than eating, 'ir de tapas' is a social ritual. You move from bar to bar, standing at the counter, eating small plates and chatting. In southern Spain (Andalucía), tapas come free with your drink — it's one of the greatest deals in European cuisine. The tradition may date back to King Alfonso X, who supposedly ordered taverns to cover ('tapar') drinks with small plates of food to prevent flies. Whether that's true or not, the culture is sacred. Sitting down at a tapas bar is fine, but the authentic experience is standing, elbow-to-elbow, at a crowded bar counter.
📝 Example Sentences
Este fin de semana vamos de tapas por el casco antiguo.
This weekend we're going on a tapas crawl through the old town.
En Granada las tapas son gratis con cada bebida.
In Granada, tapas are free with every drink.