Hosting a tapas party is a fun way to bring friends and family together for a night of delicious food, vibrant conversation and a touch of Spanish flair. Tapas, the small, tasty dishes from Spain, are perfect for sharing and create a relaxed, enjoyable time.
In Spain, tapas are a part of everyday life, an opportunity to meet up with friends at a tapas bar or a casual restaurant, have a drink and share a small tasty dish. Sometimes the tapa even comes free with your drink! Some evenings it can become a tapas crawl, where you and your friends walk from bar to bar having a little tapa at each stop. I remember visiting Calle Laurel in Logroño, a small street featuring over fifty tapas bars!
Hosting a tapas party transports this enjoyable Spanish tradition to your home. The tasty little dishes are easy to nibble and keep the focus on the true purpose – connecting with your friends and sharing a great time together.
Here’s how to throw a tapas party that your guests will love:
1. Planning Your Tapas Party
Not surprisingly, tapas parties are typically held in the evening, but a late afternoon gathering can also be fun.
Keep the guest list small. Tapas parties are all about connecting with your guests and a smaller group is ideal. Plus, a big group would require more food prep, and you want to be out of the kitchen, spending time with friends.
2. Setting the Scene
Decorate with Spanish flair. Use vibrant colors like red and yellow to decorate your space, and flowers are a nice touch.
Create a cozy atmosphere and let your guests mingle. This is not a sit-down meal! Place chairs and stools in small groups to encourage intimate conversations. If the weather is nice, open the doors to your patio or deck.
Set the mood with a playlist of Spanish music. While I love traditional flamenco music, it can be a little too energetic for a casual evening. I would choose some Spanish guitar playlists, including legendary artists like Andrés Segovia or Paco de Lucía.
3. Curating the Menu
Offer a mix of hot and cold tapas. Here are a few of our favorites:
For your signature drink, serve a pitcher of sangría or a refreshing tinto de verano. The Spanish are also fanatics for a refreshing gin and tonic. Offer a few porrón wine pitchers filled with your favorite vino – your guests will love attempting to drink from the narrow spout! Don’t forget to have non-alcoholic options available as well.
The key to delicious tapas is using high quality ingredients. Shop for authentic Spanish cheeses, charcuterie and other ingredients – grocery store short cuts are sure to disappoint. For fresh items, visit a local market to find the best produce and meats.
Presentation is key, tapas should be served in small platters and dishes to make it easy for guests to nibble while they chat. Colorful ceramics and cazuelas dishes add a layer of authenticity. Provide small plates for guests to fill with tasty tapas. Garnish with fresh herbs to add a touch of elegance.
Replenish the tapas throughout the evening from reserve supplies in the kitchen. This will keep the energy up and ensure that no one goes hungry.
5. Adding Special Touches
Bring your friends into the fun with a build your own tapas station where they can assemble their own dishes.
Place photo-heavy books about Spain throughout the party, from cookbooks to travel guides. Your local library is a good resource.
Send your guests home with a small token of appreciation, such as a jar of olives or a recipe card for your favorite tapa from the night.
A tapas party is a fun way to share a taste of Spanish hospitality and cuisine. Your guests will leave with full stomachs, happy hearts and a new appreciation of Spain’s tapas culture.
¡Buen provecho!
¡Hola! I'm Jonathan Harris, one of the owners of La Tienda. I love sharing insights about Spain's amazing food culture.