Socorro

In Spain, a top priority when we arrive in any new town is to find the nearest neighborhood bar. An integral part of the Spanish culture, the local bar is a casual place where anyone can stop-​in for a little conversation, quick snack, and beverage of their choice.
In Madrid, our neighborhood bar was easy to find, with more of them per capita than anywhere else in the world. In the small tourist town of Segovia, it was more of a challenge. Fortunately, we discovered Bar Socorro.
Upon entering Bar Socorro we were greeted with a genuine «buenas dias» by the owner-​operator, a friendly middle-​aged gentleman working non-​stop behind the bar. Cases of irresistible homemade tapas tempted us as we stood ordering our drinks.
Everything we sampled was fresh, authentic and mouthwatering. My favorite was the ensaladilla rusa, a creamy potato salad made with a touch of tuna fish. The velvety ham and cheese croquetas and moist meatballs (albondigas) were also tasty and satisfying.
Outside the bar, a few tables and chairs sat out beside the statue of Castillian guitarist and musicologist Agapito Marazuela Albanos, in the small wedge-​shaped Plaza del Sorocco. With limited human resources, the bar did not have wait staff to service the terrace. Instead, we ordered inside, and carried our own food and drinks to our table.
After cleaning our table and bussing our own dishes, the bartender thanked us with a gratifying «muchas gracias». Leaving Bar Socorro with a pleasant exchange of «hasta luego» (until later), we felt appreciated, accepted, and delighted that we had found Segovia’s neighborhood bar.