Bar el Tigre

At this bar in the Chueca neighborhood, waiters bring a free tapas with each caña—a term for a glass of beer, local wine, or Spanish cider. Because of the complimentary food, Bar el Tigre is popular with students and budget travelers who often cram elbow-to-elbow into the room, decorated with dark wooden beams, exposed brick, and stuffed animal heads. The traditional small-portioned dishes range from garlic-heavy mussels to Spanish cheese with bread and olive oil. There are also plates of hearty patatas bravas (tomato sauce over fried potatoes) and sliced egg-and-potato tortilla.