EBG Rating: 7.6/10

Choice/Quality of Drinks:
❤️❤️❤️
Style/Décor:
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Atmosphere/Character:
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Amenities/Events:
❤️❤️❤️
Value For Money:
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Description:
La Moderna is an excellent example of the diversity of tapas bars. While the name may bring certain clichés to mind, the fact is that each has a certain purpose, emphasis and times of day where they reach their peak.

La Moderna has a peculiar combination of attractions. It is open from 7 in the morning but unlike many breakfast venues also stays open late at night – 1am on a Monday, anyone? A versatile venue.

It’s also positioned to be a budget option – a drink and a decent sized meat stew still clocked in at under 5 euros on my visit in August 2026. Don’t expect anything too fancy – and be clever in your choices – pick dishes that an unsophisticated place does well – stews, potatoes, etc rather than seafood or dishes they can hide behind like croquettes.

La Moderna is anything but, opened in the 1950s, developing into a city institution. Initially it looks cafe bar like in the front room, but a sweeping bar top leads to a social area around the bar that is more tavern like and seating in a backroom. The pub suddenly turns a bit warren like and up its sleeve is a showstopper – part of the old city wall comprises the wall of the pub!

Outside that you can enjoy the large retro posters of revues, carnivals and bullfighting (as always) that decorate the place.

While I wouldn’t necessarily have it as the best Jerez bar, due to its utility, if I lived here I’d be tempted to turn up every day.

(Added September 2026)