The best bars for free tapas in central Madrid

This bar is one of the best finds in the Chueca area. It's a small, no-frills place with a Portuguese soul to the menu. Emidio has been running the counter for years and knows most of his regulars by name. The tapa comes with the drink without you having to ask, and what arrives on the plate tends to be a pleasant surprise.

• What to expect from the free tapa: With each round of beer or wine, you usually get snacks that are worth a meal in themselves. We've had everything from salt cod croquettes and chicken wings to paella. Worth noting that on very busy days, or depending on how stretched the team is, the tapas can be a little more modest.
• What to order: If you're properly hungry, we'd go for the bacalhau à brás or the chicken strips.
• Drink price: Between €3 and €4 for a doble (large beer).
• Tip: The place is cramped and gets full quickly in the late afternoon. If you have any dietary requirements such as a gluten intolerance, let the staff know as they tend to be quite attentive about swapping things out.

El Tigre is a Madrid institution. If you want to understand what it means to eat until you genuinely can't manage another bite while only paying for drinks, this is the place. The setup is no-nonsense: you walk in and the staff are already shouting to find you a spot at the counter or perched on a barrel.

• What to expect from the free tapa: The quantity is absurd. With each round comes mountainous plates of patatas bravas, slices of tortilla, chips, chicken wings and paella.
• What to order: If you want something extra, huevos rotos with jamón is a classic, though the free tapas will usually sort you out on their own.
• Drink price: A beer costs around €4.50. It might seem steep for a beer, but given that a spread of food comes with it, it's one of the best value options in the centre.
• Tip: Bring cash. The service towards card payments can be noticeably discouraged and the amounts charged can get a bit creative. Be prepared to eat standing up and expect direct, no-frills service from the staff, who are simply moving fast to keep up with the crowd.

A traditional tavern with a wooden counter and mirrors that keeps alive the spirit of old-school Madrid bars. The atmosphere is warm and unpretentious, don't expect anything fancy because the tapas are what it's all about here.

• What to expect from the free tapa: The portions are proper platefuls and vary every time. I've been served everything from paella and tortilla to meatballs, sliders with nuggets, and sandwiches. It's the kind of place where you can grab a few drinks and leave feeling like you've had a full dinner.
• What to order: If you fancy something extra beyond the freebies, their bacalhau à brás (shredded cod with onions and potatoes) is legendary.
• Drink price: A large beer or a soft drink will set you back between €4.00 and €5.00. It might seem a bit pricier than in other neighbourhoods, but since the tapa is basically a meal, it's a massive bargain for central Madrid.
• Tip: The place gets packed quickly, so getting there early is key if you want a table or a decent spot at the bar. If the main one on Churruca is full, nip round the corner to Petisqueira II, it's exactly the same standard. Just a heads-up: they are quite strict about not letting two people share a single "menu of the day" deal.

The place is small and has a curious decor, with police badges covering the walls. Unlike other tapas bars in Madrid, you do not eat standing at the bar or huddled in the corners. Service is exclusively at the tables, which makes for a much more comfortable and organised meal. They control the entrance, which often leads to constant queues at the door.

• What to expect from the free tapa: The portions are massive. In the first round, you usually get a huge sandwich with breaded chicken or pork loin. By the second round, a plate of roast chicken with potatoes or paella might arrive. The tapa is a surprise, so you do not get to choose what you are served.
• What to order: The oreja a la plancha (grilled pig's ear) and huevos rotos (fried eggs over potatoes) are the most popular choices from the menu if you still have any room left.
• Drink price: A large beer or a tinto de verano costs between €3.50 and €5.00. The price is a bit higher than elsewhere because the feast is already built into the cost of the drink.
• Tip: The bar opens at 13h and 20h, but the queue starts early. Get there about 30 minutes before opening to secure a spot in the first sitting. Since service is table-only, the staff keep a tight grip on the door, so you will need to wait to be seated.

El Respiro is the definition of a "proper" old-school Chueca bar. The place is simple, noisy, and decorated with thousands of notes and messages from travellers pinned to the walls. It is the perfect spot for anyone who values authenticity and big portions over any kind of frills. The atmosphere here is laid-back, and the hospitality from the owner, Martin, is usually the highlight of the visit.

• What to expect from the free tapa: The portions are very generous and varied. In the first round, it is common to get a plate of paella or chicken rice. After that, you might see patatas bravas with sausages, scrambled eggs, or chicken wings. It is home-cooked food, no fuss, but very honest.
• What to order: If you want to order something extra from the menu, the mejillones tigre (stuffed and breaded mussels) are famous and well worth it.
• Drink price: A beer costs around €3.00 and a vermouth is €3.50. It is one of the best value-for-money spots in Chueca, considering that after two or three drinks, you have basically had dinner.
• Tip: You can see various tapas of the day displayed on the counter. We suggest having a look at what is available before ordering your drink. If it is not too busy, try asking for the one that caught your eye. The bar is usually packed, but people move on quickly, so even if it looks full, it is worth trying to squeeze into a little gap at the bar.