Spanish bar words you'll actually hear

The words that come at you across a Spanish bar, what each one means, and the line it turns up in.

caña

A small draft beer, roughly 200–250ml.

The default order in Spain. Asking for 'una cerveza' works but marks you out; asking for 'una caña' doesn't.

Heard inUna caña, porfa.

porfa

Please — short for 'por favor'.

Casual and extremely common. Fine with bar staff and strangers your own age; use the full 'por favor' with older people.

Heard inUna caña, porfa.

vale

Okay / got it / right.

The most-used word in Spain. It confirms, it agrees, it ends a conversation. You'll hear it doubled — 'vale, vale' — when someone wants you to stop talking.

Heard inVale. ¿Algo de comer?

tapa

A small plate of food.

In much of Spain it arrives free with a drink; in Madrid and the south that's more likely than in Barcelona. You can also order one outright.

Heard inSí: una tapa de tortilla, porfa.

de barril

On draft — literally 'from the barrel'.

The opposite is 'de botella', bottled. This is the first thing they'll ask after you order a beer.

Heard inDe barril, gracias.

rubia / tostada

Blonde (lager) / toasted (amber).

How beer gets described rather than by brand. 'Rubia' is the standard pale lager you'd expect.

Heard in¿Rubia o tostada?

cortado

An espresso cut with a splash of warm milk.

Between a 'solo' (straight espresso) and a 'café con leche' (half milk). Ordering a latte by name will get you a confused look.

Heard inUn cortado.

la cuenta

The bill.

Nobody brings it unprompted — in Spain that would be rushing you out. You ask.

Heard inLa cuenta, porfa.

para llevar

To take away.

The opposite of 'para aquí', for here. Asked at counters and cafés constantly.

Heard in¿Para aquí o para llevar?

marchando

Coming right up.

Bar staff shorthand once your order is in. You don't say it — you just need to recognise it.

Heard inMarchando.

jefe / jefa

Boss — a friendly way to address staff.

Warm rather than rude, but it's familiar. Safe in a neighbourhood bar, less so in a smart restaurant.

Heard inGracias, jefe/jefa.