New owners have taken over the historic Vermuteria del Tano in Barcelona's Gràcia neighbourhood, ensuring the beloved centenary bar retains its authentic character as its long-serving proprietors retire.
Cayetano, known as Tano, and his wife Maricel recently retired after 35 years at the helm of the Vermuteria del Tano on Joan Blanques, 17. The iconic establishment, a centenarian bodega, will now be managed by siblings Marta Jiménez and her brother, a local resident who knew Tano and the bar well.
Marta Jiménez, who has previous experience in hospitality, has assured customers that the bar's essence will remain unchanged. "I'm not here to change Vermuteria del Tano; I'm here to look after it, so it continues to be what it has been until now: an authentic neighbourhood bar where people feel at home," she stated from behind the bar.
This commitment to tradition was also crucial for Tano, who expressed his desire "that the essence [of the bar] is not lost, that it continues to be a special place and has that glamour that many vermouth bars lack." He revealed that he had received numerous offers to transfer the business. "When I started to spread the word a bit, companies that own 50,000 bars came, and they didn't quite convince me," Tano explained, adding, "What a coincidence that the neighbour was interested."
Preserving a Neighbourhood Gem
Marta Jiménez described the opportunity as "unique," stating, "Vermuteria del Tano is a neighbourhood heritage, and we decided to go ahead." The handover process included training from the former owners, who taught the new proprietors about conserves and 'gildas' to continue delighting the loyal clientele. Tano and Maricel said they have gained "an enormous number of friends" over the decades, making the bar a place where people felt at home.
The couple received a surprise farewell party and a book filled with memories. Tano noted that the bodega's walls are adorned with pieces of life: paintings, posters, clocks, and souvenirs from customers' travels, alongside photos and clippings from local club Europa. He recounted that shortly after taking over the business in 1991, he was even "proposed replicating the bodega in New York," but chose to remain in Gràcia, establishing Vermuteria del Tano as a local classic.
As part of the transition, Tano requested that the existing staff be retained, and Àngels and Josep continue serving tables and the traditional Perucchi vermouth, presented in a small glass without ice or orange. Marta Jiménez expressed her pleasure, saying, "Now when Tano and Maricel come, I'm the one who serves them vermouth, and seeing them enjoy it is lovely." The bar is set to continue its legacy as a cherished community hub under its new stewardship.
