Tuesday 2 April 2013

2.4.13 Two New Tabancos!


At last the tabancos of Jerez (the traditional bars where wine is served from the barrel) seem to be enjoying a resurgence in popularity. They are wonderful for their atmosphere, and it is impossible to leave a tabanco without having made a few new friends. Just recently two “new” ones have opened, and let’s wish them every success.

El Telescopio in the Calle Avila has reopened after many years of closure. It was a very popular bar founded by Fernando Macias in 1925, where there was often live - and usually unplanned flamenco. It has now been renovated in the form of a tabanco. The new proprietors are Sergio Garcia and Francisco Verano. They are very proud of their 1950s fridge which works perfectly!

La Pandilla is another famous old bar which has also been converted into a tabanco, and can be found in the Calle Los Valientes. Originally run byManuel Rodriguez, it was like a bodega with arches and a high ceiling and was festooned with bullfight posters. It had a reputation for the quality of its red Valdepenas table wine. A scene from Lola Flores film was shot here. Antonio Ruiz and Bosco Delage are the proprietors, and the Sherry is Sanchez Romate.

If you are interested in tabancos, there is a book about them (in Spanish) “Los Tabancos y Ventas de Jerez” by Juan de la Plata, a local historian.

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