Pub food tips: 7 ways to use tapas on pub menus

1. Modern British tapas

Greene King tenant Victoria Kevans put a different spin on tapas with two modern British food events at the Victoria in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, during the recent Hitchin Festival, which promotes food, drink, art and culture. She says: “Our modern British tapas intrigued customers as they could try three dishes for £10 or one for £4, such as roasted Suffolk pork loin with Aspall cyder jus. People could reserve for £5 through the festival box office, but most preferred to turn up. Those not planning to eat couldn’t resist. We served food from 7pm until 10pm — a successful, on-trend event that attracted 50 customers and 30 repeat bookings for the next one.”

2. World tapas

Mitchells & Butlers’ All Bar One offers a world tapas menu across all 47 locations. Brand operations director Richard Cox says: “Our best-selling tapas dish is salt & pepper crispy calamari with sweet chilli dip. This style of food works very well for groups meeting at lunchtime or after work. Guests want an informal dining experience — quick, easy and great value — and tapas meets those needs. Our tapas combinations are priced from £13 to £24, depending on dishes selected. Tapas Tuesday, available from 5pm every week, offers any two world tapas dishes and a bottle of Velero wine for £15. For £5 extra, guests can upgrade their choice to selected premium wines, including Pignoletto.”

3. Sporty snacking

At Scottish & Newcastle Pub Company lease the Black Lion, by the Thames in Hammersmith, west London, manager Buzz Cousins loves the versatility of tapas, enjoyed by boat-race fans on its terrace and skittle players in its alley. Dishes can be purchased individually, or there is a ‘four for £17.50’ offer. Cousins began serving tapas 15 years ago at the Fox & Hounds in Wimbledon, south-west London, and hasn’t looked back. He says: “Tapas menus are so flexible. Women are fond of ordering four tapas with a bottle of wine. Turnover has tripled since we took over 18 months ago and introduced this type of food.”

4. Going local in Lancs

Freehold the First Chop, in Ramsbottom, Lancashire, makes the most of tapas dishes with its special offers. “We serve our own brand of Lancashire tapas, inspired by fantastic ingredients produced on our doorstep, such as hand-made cheese and lamb from nearby Holcombe Hill,” says proprietor Richard Garner. “Twitter and Facebook help us spread the word about our two-for-one lunchtime offers, so our followers can find out about specialities on a daily basis. From Tuesday to Thursday, 12noon to 10pm, and Fridays before 6pm, customers can buy two dishes and have a third free. And for £5 at any time, children have the choice of any tapas dish with salad and fat chips, a fruit juice and an ice cream.”

5. Little plates with a Welsh twist

“Welsh customers expect our menus to be printed in Welsh and English. And since we took over the pub in 2010 our Welsh tapas has emphasised our cultural commitment,” says Nicole Gwynne, owner of freehold the Cross Foxes in Dolgellau, Gwynedd. A recent tapas trio platter featured faggots, Welsh rarebit and cawl stew, which was made with local lamb. Gwynne adds: “Last September’s Mushroom Week saw tapas sales rise from 103 in August to 180 when we offered four mushroom tapas; in Chip Week we offered chip tapas, made with chilli, garlic or parsnips.”

6. Celebrating diversity

Since introducing a tapas party menu at £15 each for groups of eight or more, Coco Bar Bistro in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, has seen a surge in bookings, including many customers staying late. Marketing partner Neil Turner, from iloveale.co.uk, says: “Every weekend we attract groups of 20-plus and have a waiting list. This menu is great value, while saving staff time. For couples or small groups, try plating all their tapas on one huge plate and watch them discuss their favourites. As a craft-beer-focused pub, we enjoy serving craft-beer-battered cod as a tapas dish. We also run tapas and wine-tasting nights and offer Sunday lunches in tapas form.”

7. Friday fun

Friday night is salsa and tapas night at freehold the Vista Lounge in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire. Customers are welcome to try salsa, led by Dancing Fever, a local couple who run classes, or simply enjoy four tapas dishes and a bottle of red, white or rosé wine for £13.99. Proprietor John Gaines says: “Friday nights were too quiet, so we’ve boosted trade by running weekly salsa and tapas nights in partnership with local professionals. Friday trade has more than doubled in a year and now we’re seeing up to 150 guests, with space for more. With 25 tapas dishes on offer, regulars love to choose their favourites, plus one or two new ones.”