Taking children to Spanish bars, restaurants and public places

Terms used

• Tronas — Tronas are high chairs for babies and small children at the table.
• Menú infantil — The menú infantil is a set children's meal, usually a simple dish with a drink and dessert.
• Raciones — Raciones are large plates of food made for sharing.
• Menú del día — The menú del día is a fixed-price weekday lunch with several courses.
• Sesiones jóvenes — Sesiones jóvenes are early youth sessions at discos for teenagers, without alcohol.

Key rules

• Late evenings: Families with children out at 22:00 to 23:00 or later are normal, especially in summer and in the south.
• Behaviour: Noise and play near the table are accepted, but running between tables and shouting are not.
• Alcohol: Alcohol cannot be sold to anyone under 18.
• Discos and pubs: Discos, music pubs and nightclubs generally do not admit minors, except at youth sessions.

Children are welcome, and often out late

You can take children, even babies, to bars, terraces and restaurants. Dinner is late in Spain and social life includes all ages. Seeing families out at 22:00 or 23:00, or later, is normal, especially on summer evenings, at weekends and during fiestas.

It varies a little by place:

• It is most common in the south, on terraces, in tapas bars and in family restaurants.
• It is less common in formal restaurants.
• In the north, and in winter, fewer families are out after 22:00 on weekdays.

How children are expected to behave

Staff and other diners are tolerant of children and background noise. Nobody expects you to keep children silent or still. Some movement, noise and play near the table is fine, especially on a terrace.

The limits are simple:

• Don't let children run between tables or shout.
• Don't let them get in the way of staff.
• Clean up big messes yourself. Staff are usually friendly about it.
• Expect calmer behaviour in higher-end restaurants.

Tablets and phones are widely used at the table. Keep the sound off or use headphones. Policies vary, so follow the venue's lead.

High chairs and children's menus

High chairs (tronas) are common in family restaurants, most mid-range restaurants and many bars with terraces. Small tapas bars and older venues may not have one, and numbers are limited. Ask when you book.

A children's menu (menú infantil) is common outside the very high end. It usually offers simple dishes such as pasta, croquetas, chicken, burger or pizza, with a drink and dessert, typically 8 to 14 euros. Many places let you share raciones or order half portions. The menú del día often has no children's version.

Where the real limits are

Bars, cafés and restaurants are generally open to minors, with or without adults. Alcohol is never sold to anyone under 18.

Discos, music pubs and nightclubs are different. They generally do not admit under-16s or under-18s. The exception is special youth sessions (sesiones jóvenes), typically for ages 14 to 17 without alcohol, finishing around 21:00 to 22:00. Ages and rules differ by region, so check your region's rules and the venue's hours before you go.

The questions below cover pubs, discos and late dinners with a baby.

Frequently asked questions

Can my child go to a pub or disco in Spain?

Usually not, because pubs with music, discos and nightclubs generally do not admit under-16s or under-18s, depending on the region. The exception is special youth sessions (sesiones jóvenes), typically for ages 14 to 17 without alcohol, ending around 21:00 to 22:00. Ordinary bars, cafés and restaurants are open to children.

Do Spanish restaurants have high chairs and children's menus?

Yes, most mid-range and family restaurants have high chairs (tronas) and a children's menu (menú infantil), but small tapas bars and older venues may not. Ask for a trona when you book, as numbers are limited. Children's menus usually cost about 8 to 14 euros in 2025, and the menú del día often has no children's version.

Can my child use a tablet or phone at the table?

Yes, screens are widely accepted in Spanish restaurants, usually with the sound off or with headphones. Policies vary by venue, so follow the staff if they ask you to put it away.

Is it too late to bring a baby to dinner at 23:00?

No, families with children, even babies, are often out at 22:00 to 23:00 or later, especially on summer evenings, weekends and during fiestas. It is most common in the south, on terraces and in tapas bars. In the north and in winter, it is somewhat less common after 22:00 on weekdays.