16 Tapas-Style Bar Snacks

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for bar snacks that go beyond simple bowls of peanuts and pretzels. Indeed, consumers are eager to sample small plates featuring exotic ingredients and unexpected flavor combinations.

When it comes to pre-packaged bar snacks, many restaurants now favor artisanal goods over more generic products. This is especially true of cured meat, which has become a favorite at many upscale bars and pubs. These types of meat-based bar snacks include protein-rich cuts from Meat Merchants and Cleaver & Keg, as well as hangover-thwarting jerky from Serious Pig.

For restaurants that make their own bar snacks, there is a shift towards shareable dishes that are inspired by global cuisine. For example, an Australian bar called The White Cockatoo serves up hybrid tapas such as Kimichi Poutine and Blue Swimmer crab rolls. Another example is New York City's Social Drink & Food, which boasts street food-inspired dishes such as chicken shashlik skewers and spicy popcorn chicken.