Enough Spanish to Order a Beer and survive in a bar for a while?

Enough Spanish to Order a Beer? Simple Spanish Vocab for a Bar

If you're in Spain and want to feel comfortable at a bar , here’s a quick and easy Spanish cheat sheet. No grammar lessons — just what you need to be understood!

Basic Phrases

• Una cerveza, por favor — One beer, please
• ¿Qué cervezas hay? — What beers do you have?
• Una caña — A small draft beer
• Una jarra - Un Tubo — A larger draft beer
• Un tercio — A 33cl bottle of beer.
• Otra, por favor — Another one, please
• ¿Me pone una cerveza? — Can I have a beer?
• La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please

Types of Beers

• Rubia — Blonde beer
• Tostada — Amber beer
• Negra — Dark beer
• Sin alcohol — Non-alcoholic

Typical Bar Foods

• Tapas — Small shared dishes Link what are tapas?
• Aceitunas — Olives
• Jamón — Ham (usually Iberian)
• Queso — Cheese Link What is manchego cheese?
• Tortilla — Spanish omelette

Paying

• ¿Cuánto es? — How much is it?
• ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card?
• En efectivo — In cash

With these simple words and phrases, you’ll be able to navigate any bar in Spain like a local — or at least order a cold one!

Note: British people often order pints (pintas) This is a silly idea because in Spain a large beer takes time to drink and it gets warm. If you are in places like Granada which has free tapas you only get the same tapa so ordering smaller beers like a caña get you more free food.  Also, be aware that Spanish beer is usually around 5% alcohol. If you drink 3 pintas you might start dancing on the tables!!! Or telling your friends that "te amo, eres mi mejor amigo" 

We have also made some other guides to help you.

Basic Restaurant Vocabulary

Survival Travel Spanish

Going to a bar in Spain

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Last Modified on April 29th, 2025
Created on April 29th, 2025
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