Socialising in Spain without alcohol or with dietary limits

Key rules

• Saying no: A short reason, or none, is enough to turn down alcohol.
• Beer 0,0: Alcohol-free beer is available in almost every bar.
• Hidden meat: Dishes called vegetarian may contain jamón or tuna, so ask.
• Allergens: Bars must give written, accurate information on 14 allergens.

You can join in without drinking

Not drinking alcohol is widely accepted in Spain. Social life centres on bars and food, and nobody expects you to match a round. Pressure to drink is generally low, and getting drunk is not admired.

If someone asks, a short answer is enough. Say you are driving, on medication, or simply do not drink. Say it once, briefly, and move on. Norms vary slightly by age and region, but this works almost everywhere.

What to order instead

Almost every bar sells non-alcoholic drinks. Good options:

• Beer 0,0: very common, often on tap or in bottles from major brands.
• Caña sin alcohol: a small alcohol-free draught beer, where offered.
• Refresco: a soft drink.
• Agua, coffee, infusions and juices.
• Tinto de verano without alcohol, in some places.

Mocktails are found mainly in cocktail bars, trendy venues and clubs. In small traditional bars and villages, expect the simpler list above.

Eating with dietary limits

Bars are built around tapas, and many contain ham, fish or meat stock. How hard it is depends on your diet and where you are. Big cities and tourist areas are much easier. Rural areas are harder.

Vegetarian: moderate difficulty. Dishes called vegetarian may still contain jamón or tuna. Safe choices are:

• tortilla de patatas (check it first)
• patatas bravas
• pimientos de padrón
• queso
• ensaladas (ask for no tuna)
• revuelto de setas

Ask for "sin carne ni pescado". Big cities have many more vegetarian and vegan places.

Pork-free: difficult in traditional bars. Pork, lard and chorizo are everywhere. Ask carefully about each dish.

Halal: hard outside cities with halal restaurants. Non-pork meat exists but is not certified in ordinary bars. Fish, eggs and vegetable dishes are the usual options.

Kosher: very limited. Options are mostly in Madrid, Barcelona and a few other cities with Jewish communities. In a bar, expect little beyond fruit, vegetables and sealed products.

A practical approach: eat a proper meal at a restaurant that suits you, and use bar outings for drinks, a few safe tapas and company.

Allergies

Restaurants and bars must make information available on 14 allergens: cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soya, milk, tree nuts, celery, mustard, sesame, sulphites, lupin and molluscs.

The information should be in writing and easy to find, for example on the menu, a board, or a sign telling you where to ask. It must be accurate. Spoken information alone is allowed only when a clear written notice says where to get it. If you see no notice, ask the staff and say clearly which allergen you must avoid.

Common questions are answered in the FAQ below.

Frequently asked questions

Can I order a non-alcoholic beer in a Spanish bar?

Yes, beer 0,0 is very common in Spanish bars, often on tap or in bottles from major brands. Soft drinks, coffee, infusions, juices and water are also on almost every menu. Mocktails are mostly found in cocktail bars and clubs, so in a small village bar ask for a caña sin alcohol or a refresco instead.

How do I eat vegetarian in tapas bars?

Vegetarian is possible but takes care, because many tapas contain ham, fish or meat stock. Safe choices are patatas bravas, pimientos de padrón, queso, revuelto de setas and tortilla de patatas (check it first). Ask for ensaladas without tuna and say "sin carne ni pescado".

Is it hard to avoid pork or find halal and kosher food in a bar?

Yes, avoiding pork is difficult in traditional bars because pork, lard and chorizo are everywhere, so ask carefully. Halal meat is rarely certified outside cities with halal restaurants, so fish, eggs and vegetable dishes are the usual options. Kosher choices are very limited and mostly in Madrid, Barcelona and a few other cities, so in bars expect little beyond fruit, vegetables and sealed products.

What allergy information must a Spanish bar give me?

Restaurants and bars must give you written information on the 14 allergens in food that is not prepacked.