The Tabancos of Jerez
In any Spanish city, it is easy to distinguish the type of bar you are about to enter: a tapas bar, a café-bar, a bar-restaurant… But in Jerez de la Frontera, there is a unique type of establishment hidden among the streets of the historic center that carries a different sign: “tabanco.”
What is a tabanco?
The word “tabanco” is not well known outside of Jerez. Its origin dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries, born from the combination of tabaco (tobacco) and estanco (a state-run shop). These places were, essentially, shops where bulk Sherry wine and tobacco were sold.
The first tabancos were simple, rustic, and bustling spaces where people gathered to chat and drink Sherry directly from the cask (bota). Over time they evolved, and today they preserve that authentic spirit with a renewed flair: they offer wine by the glass and in bulk, traditional tapas, live music, and an atmosphere steeped in Jerez culture.
A curious detail: for an establishment to be officially called a tabanco, at least 60–70% of the wine served must be bulk wine.
The Tabanco Route
Here are some essentials we recommend:
- Tabanco El Pasaje (c/ Santa María, 8): Open since 1925, it is famous for its Sherry from Bodegas El Maestro Sierra and its live flamenco concerts. Don't miss the assortment of smoked fish.
- Tabanco San Pablo (c/ San Pablo, 12): Located in the heart of the San Miguel neighborhood, it stands out for its star tapa: ajo caliente, a traditional dish once eaten by vineyard workers.
- Tabanco La Bodeguita (c/ Arcos, 5): A place full of anecdotes and good conversation, perfect for enjoying wine by the bottle or straight from the cask.
- Tabanco Plateros (c/ Algarve, 35): Always lively, it blends tradition with a more modern feel. Their chicharrones (fried pork rinds) paired with a glass of Oloroso are a safe bet.
- Tabanco El Guitarrón de San Pedro (c/ Bizcocheros, 16): In the San Pedro neighborhood, it combines wine with flamenco shows and cultural activities.
- Tabanco Las Banderillas (c/ Caballeros, 12): Featuring a bullfighting atmosphere, a great selection of tapas and wines, and a lovely staff.
- Tabanco La Pandilla (c/ Valientes, 14): Housed in an old winery building, it has a bohemian vibe, good music, and wines from Sánchez Romate.

Much more than bars
Tabancos are not just bars: they are meeting spaces where wine, gastronomy, and flamenco coexist. Today, they maintain that same close-knit, popular spirit but with an added attraction for visitors: they are an open window into daily life in Jerez. Entering a tabanco is to breathe in history, feel the aroma of the wine casks, and get carried away by the blend of food, music, and hospitality that defines the city.










