Rip Off Tourist Bars in Barcelona. Get what you really ordered! How to guide!

Rip Off Tourist Bars in Barcelona. Get what you really ordered. How to…..

A few friends of mine visited Barcelona recently and I’m compelled to write up a little advice for the travelling person to Barcelona.

On the whole the city’s tourist bars and restaurants are very well priced, even in tourist areas. But, there’s always the few rip off bars in Barcelona that give it a bad name. To counter that, I’m going to give some advice on what you ought to order, how to do it and what to do if you get any problems!

I KEEP ON GETTING A PINT.

What is happening is that you’re out, you order a beer and you get served a PINT! This happens a lot around the Port, Ravel and Las Ramblas. This drink size is called a HARRA [pronounced har-rah]. If you’re English sometimes it’s custom to drink HUGE beers. The dude might be bringing you it out of innocence. However, if you see there’s Spanish people ordering beer and getting a smaller cup… you might be a victim of the rip-off-harra-price!

If you’re on a budget you might find that a harra is not good value for money. The price for a HARRA could be up to a normal english pint [4-6 euros]. Not good!

KNOWING WHAT TO ORDER

Here’s what to do. Know the measure and type of beer. But first ALWAYS look at the prices on the menu! By law they have to have a price list. If not, I’ll tell you later what to do!

Rather than asking for, “a beer”, una ceveza por favor… know the type and size of the drink. You have 3 options, a cana [small glass from the tap], bottle beer and a pint or Harra.

Order a BOTTLE of BEER, not just a BEER!

A bottle contains 33CL and is valued between 1.30 – 3 Euros. For 2 bottles, and don’t forget the second one is cold again, it could work out the same price as a harra.

As well, you might not want one,  or you’ve kids and you don’t want to get drunk with them around.

You want a smallish 28CL cup worth? Then ask for a “cana” – pronounced can-yah!  This is poured from the tap. These are priced at the LOWEST end of the beer list. It ought to be LESS than a mediana [see next]. Prices are around 1.10-3 euros. Median price is around 1.50-1.80 euros [max].

If you want a bottle beer ask for a  “mediana de [insert the brand name]” – med-e-ah-nah.  I recommend Estrella although Mahou and Mahou Classical are nice. If you forget both, well San Miguel you’re bound to remember. Depending on where you go, they will cost 1.30 to 3 euros depending! If you’re in a NIGHTCLUB or CONCERT, prices shoot up really high. Expect to be paying 6 EUROS for beer plus!

IF YOU’RE GETTING RIPPED OFF, WHAT CAN YOU DO?

If the bar does not have a price list, it’s operating outside the law. That ought to clear it up. Safe to say, if they don’t have one of these, they are not going to have  a queja de reclaimacion. This is a complaint form. If they say they have none, by law they have to have one.

You are then within your rights to call the police, and say you’re doing so! This might clear up the ‘misunderstanding’.  This will get the police to the bar and you can then complain about that PLUS the beer price list!

This might work in your favour if you think you’re being messed around with.  This approach is heavy handed but its useful to know your rights. In bars around the centre, police ought to be there quicker!

Remember Spain you don’t HAVE to tip. If you’re ordering a few beers or coffee, do not tip unless the waiter is really, really helpful!

CONCLUSION HOW NOT TO GET RIPPED OFF FOR DRINKS IN BARCELONA

As I stated, its in a few bars this happens. However, around the Ramblas and Placa Reial there’s some cool bars and some which might take advantage of your lack of language skills!

Being super safe here’s a step by step guide for ordering a beer and not getting ripped off! You can go to English/Irish/Scottish bars around town, however I’d say the drink prices are pretty much the same as in the UK! You came here for cheaper beer right???

• Ask for a menu plus a drinks menu. Look at the prices and make a mental note. You can pretend to be ordering food, but really you only want to drink. If they only provide food menu, ask “tienes ‘una carta de bebidas ?” If they say do you want to sit, and you only want a beer, say you want to eat something small possibly at the bar and promptly sit down. Buy yourself some time, “darme unos minutos por favor”… give me a few minutes.
• Next, order what you want. Keywords =  Cana, Mediana or Botella, and Harra. For wine its copa de vino blanco/tinto.
• Keep a tab of the beers, the price it stated on the menu and remember to pay at the end.
• Do not feel compelled to tip. It is LEGAL NOT TO TIP. If you wish to, leave any change or 3-5% max!

If you get really lashed, remember that in Barcelona and passing your waste water could end you up to 1000 EURO fine! Be careful and make sure you empty yourself in a bar toilet. This is because Barcelona has some really extreme public order acts! Read more in Spanish here

There are so few public toilets that at bar closing time, [this means NONE] you will be hard pushed to find somewhere for relief. You then run the gauntlet of NOT getting caught!