By İrem Naz Duymuş (AMER/III) & Eda Emekoğlu (AMER/III)
nazduymus@ug.bilkent.edu.tr
eda.emekoglu@ug.bilkent.edu.tr
“Ir de tapas”—The Tunalı version
Some traditions spark curiosity even before you ever get to experience them. Spain’s “ir de tapas” is one of those traditions. It’s the simple but delightful act of barhopping with friends—going from one spot to another, ordering a single drink in each place and sampling the free little bites, the famous tapas, that come along with it. Social, tasty, unpretentious…What’s not to love?
A lesser-known fact is that the word “tapa” comes from the Spanish verb “tapar,” meaning “to cover.” Long ago, bartenders would place a small plate with cheese or ham on top of a glass to keep fruit flies away. That improvised “cover” eventually became a culinary tradition. A popular legend even claims that in the 13th century, King Alfonso X enjoyed eating small bites with wine so much during his recovery from an illness that he ordered all alcohol to be served with food. Whether historical fact or not, it’s a story that feels familiar and relatable.
Of course, many cultures have their own versions: there’s “happy hour,” the French “amuse-bouche” or even the Ankara-specific “Aspava ikram culture.” Small bites—or rather, not-so-small ones in Aspava’s case—offered free of charge have always been a universal way of saying, “You’re welcome here.”
This weekend, after our mid-terms, my friends and I decided to recreate this tradition on our very own streets of Tunus. We hopped from place to place, trying one drink, sharing small snacks and talking, laughing and moving through different atmospheres. It turned out to be one of the most enjoyable nights we’ve had in a while.
Honestly, I think this tradition fits seamlessly with Turkish hospitality. Cities like Eskişehir and İstanbul could easily become leaders of a local “tapas-hopping” culture. The movement between spaces, the fresh air, the constant change of environment—it all turns an ordinary night out into something lively and refreshing.
So, if you’re looking for a new way to discover your city, take your friends, make your own route and create your version of “ir de tapas.” Sometimes, the best traditions are the ones we reshape to fit our own rhythm.