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Take a weekend nearby getaway from Madrid

El Lacon. The crowds arrive at nine for tapas and drinks and the bartender is ready.

THE TAPA…
Never far from a drink and a dish of olives

While free tapas with a drink have slowly dissipated over the years the very thought of drinking without eating isn't in the Spanish nature. Order a drink and at the very least you should have some olives.

A glass of wine? Always served from the bottle in front of the customer, where it can be seen.

Hostal Gonzalo, Central Madrid

SEE: Eating Out, a way of life

The Social Lifestyle

Friends & Family

You can never spend too much time with family and friends. A long lunch with colleagues or an after work drink and a tapa with family…socialising is a way of life in Spain.

Taberna de la Dani Barrio de Letras, Madrid

After work tapas with colleagues at Taberna de la Daniel at Plaza Jesús, Barrio de las Letras.

Restaurant beer tanks in Madrid

Babies, teenagers and grand parents

Here in suburban Madrid everyone leaves their apartment for an evening at a local café. Driving is seldom required, there are bars, restaurants and cafés within walking distance throughout all Spanish cities.

Beer in bulk Despite Spain's large wine production beer is the popular drink.
This bar sells so much they installed tanks on the ceiling.

Beer drinkers, Madrid

Plaza Dos de Mayo Madrid

Parks & Plazas
With most people living in relatively small apartment public spaces provide a welcome place to play or just sit and chat.

Dog walking Barrio de Letras

 

Dog Walkers
Everyone has a dog but everyone lives in an apartment. Dog walkers are perhaps more common than baby sitters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lunch at Plaza Mayor

Lunch at Plaza Mayor One of Madrid's favorite plaza to dine.

Malditos Bastardos barbers shop Madrid

 

 

Bastard Barbers
They're real bastards!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MORE MADRID:
The Culture Art Museums Historic Centre Eating Madrid Food Markets The Tapa

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