by Tim Anderson

Bar Etiquette
You might find yourself wading through a sea of paper napkins and peanut shells on the floor. All the while the owner is smiling like a Cheshire cat, until you sit at the bar get out your wallet and ask for a coffee and he promptly turns his attitude into an arctic freeze. The ice age continues when you refuse the complimentary tapas that were offered with your beer, even though you try to explain that you have just eaten the equivalent amount of the average sumo wrestler. The classic mistakes of the tourist ‘fresh off the boat’.
Don’t be overawed with the sea of shells. It´s a sign that the bar is popular and so most owners will let it pile up a little before getting someone to sweep it up. It also makes it a little easier if it’s all in the same place to pick it up more quickly.
When you go to order in Spain, there are two prices for most things in the bar, and they relate to whether you sit at the bar or sit at a table. The table is considered a much more refined and luxurious experience while a seat at the bar, with the noise of the orders going around you and the bartender buzzing about, is relatively nasty. As well, it´s easier for the bartender to see and serve you at the bar and make sure you are not taking a place in his establishment without ordering lots of his delicious offerings.
Put down the wallet! You may just be insulting the owner by suggesting there definitely wont be anything else you want to have while you are here. Wait, enjoy, see how you feel and don´t rush. All in good time, until you ask for ‘la cuenta por favor’ at the end.
Don’t refuse the tapas either. You don’t have to have it, but admire, nibble if you can. It’s more part of tradition and the experience rather than a necessity. Eat, don’t eat but let him give it to you. It doesn’t cost extra.

Our summer Vibe Box is by European Vibe’s own Helen Macrae.

She brings us her top ten songs to listen to while enjoying the summer/lazing by the pool.

These are the final four:

Toots and The Maytals – 54-46 Was My Number

Energy 52 – Cafe Del Mar ‘98 (Three ‘N One Remix)

Dizzee Rascal feat. Calvin Harris & Chrome – Dance Wiv Me

Groove Armada – Edge Hill

Our summer Vibe Box is by European Vibe’s own Helen Macrae.

She brings us her top ten songs to listen to while enjoying the summer/lazing by the pool.

These are the second three:

Manu Chao – Me Gustas Tu

Planet Funk – Chase The Sun (Club Mix)

Skee-Lo – I Wish

Our summer Vibe Box is by European Vibe’s own Helen Macrae.

She brings us her top ten songs to listen to while enjoying the summer/lazing by the pool.

These are the first three:

 Terrorvision – Tequila

Cassius – The Sound of Violence (Club Mix)

The Beach Boys – I Get Around

European Vibe Magazine’s art director and biggest football fanatic Phily McIvor brings us his all-time top ten football-related songs. To celebrate the end of the tournament and Spain’s victory, here are Phily’s top three football songs ever.

1 – Baddiel/Skinner/Lightning Seeds – Three Lions [England] – Euro 96

2 – New Order – World In Motion [England] – World Cup 90

3 – Horselips – Put ‘Em Under Pressure [Ireland] – World Cup 90

This month, European Vibe Magazine’s art director and biggest football fanatic Phily McIvor brings us his all-time top ten football-related songs.

6 - Del Amitri – Don’t come home too soon – (Scotland World Cup) 1998

5 – Luciano Pavarotti – Nessun Dorma (Nobody Sleeps) – (BBC theme) World Cup 1990

4 – Andres Calamaro – Maradona – 1999

This month, European Vibe Magazine’s art director and biggest football fanatic Phily McIvor brings us his all-time top ten football-related songs.

10 – Glenn & Chris – Diamond Lights – 1987

9 – Tottenham Hotspur – Ossie’s Dream (Spurs Are On Their Way To Wembley) – FA Cup Final 81

8 – Liverpool FC – Anfield Rap – Cup Final 88

7 – Collapsed Lung – Eat My Goal [used in Coca Cola ad] – World Cup 98

This month, our Vibe Box comes from Alan Shelly – licensee of rock and blues bar Echegarito.

In the May issue of European Vibe Magazine, Echegarito was the venue for our monthly bar chat – where we talked about the pickly subject of infidelity. Check out the magazine to see what our bar chatters had to say about cheating.

These are Alan’s choices:

7. The Trooper – Iron Maiden.
because: Not alot to say about this. It’s Iron Maiden!!

8. Plush – Stone Temple Pilots.
because: A great single release from a debut album from a band that was highly under-rated.

9. Rocket Queen – Guns n’ Roses.
because: I chose this not only because it’s a great song but it’s probably the only song with a real screaming orgasm stuck in the middle (i think they call it “taking it to the bridge”!!).

10. Rearview Mirror – Pearl Jam.
because: A very powerful number from one of the best alternative rock bands of the 90’s.

This month, our Vibe Box comes from Alan Shelly – licensee of rock and blues bar Echegarito.

In the May issue of European Vibe Magazine, Echegarito was the venue for our monthly bar chat – where we talked about the pickly subject of infidelity. Check out the magazine to see what our bar chatters had to say about cheating.

These are Alan’s choices:

4. Won’t get fooled again – The Who.
because: Probably one of the longest songs ever released by a rock band but you never get bored half way through like with most lengthy numbers.

5. Gimme Shelter – The Rolling Stones.
because: One of the more diverse songs from stones and not too commercial.

6. Radar Love – Golden Earring.
because: A great one hit wonder from one of Hollands greatest exports!

This month, our Vibe Box comes from Alan Shelly – licensee of rock and blues bar Echegarito.

In the May issue of European Vibe Magazine, Echegarito was the venue for our monthly bar chat – where we talked about the pickly subject of infidelity. Check out the magazine to see what our bar chatters had to say about cheating.

These are Alan’s choices:

1. Emerald – Thin Lizzy

because: A great mix of rock and celtic music with great guitar solos.

2. Messin’ with the Kid – Rory Gallagher

because: This is one of his most famous tunes and deserves high ranking due to its originality. 

3. Black Dog – Led Zeppelin

because: Because Tom Graham thinks so!

Echarito is unique in Madrid in that it is a Spanish bar de copas with Stella Artois and Guinness on draught. (The Guinness is short-draw, too!) There is live music downstairs in the cellar bar.
How to get there: Echegarito, Calle Echegaray 21, metro Sol/Sevilla.