La Sangria Bar

PROFILED BY DEGROOTS MEDIA

The sign behind the counter stating “NO DRINKING OR SMOKING WHILE DANCING ON THE BAR” gives a fair idea of what this place can be like on Friday and Saturday nights, but don’t let that put you off the food. Before the dancing begins, there are decent tapas dishes to be had here. The menu hasn’t changed for years, and during the week the place has the dark, quiet feel of a small town Spanish bar, complete with resident hombres, and the tapas come out with steady, satisfying reliability.

They keep everything simple at La Sangria. There are 10 or so tapas dishes, ranging from tortillas and garlic prawns to grilled quail and chorizo. All are flavoursome, with delicious garlicky juices begging to be sopped up with the bread that is served in ample supply. A few dollars more will get you lamb skewers or eye fillet, and the paella is also ridiculously good value. The wine list is basic, five whites and five reds, as well as a decent range of Spanish beers. If you desire dessert, it’s an easy choice – Cointreau soaked strawberries with ice-cream is the only offering. Be aware, they accept cash only here, so check the status of your wallet before you sit down, although there is a handy ATM just inside the door. And when you’ve finished, put your drink down and get ready to bust a move on that bar!

Angela Costanzo