Best Craft Beer Bars in Lanzarote for Serious Beer Drinkers

Photo by  Benjamin Hibbert-Hingston

15 min read · Lanzarote, Spain · craft beer bars ·

Best Craft Beer Bars in Lanzarote for Serious Beer Drinkers

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Words by

Carlos Rodriguez

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If you're hunting for the best craft beer bars in Lanzarote, you'll quickly discover that this volcanic island punches well above its weight. The craft beer scene here is small but fiercely passionate, driven by a handful of local brewers and bar owners who've turned a tourist-heavy island into a genuine destination for serious beer drinkers. I've spent the last three years chasing down every tap handle and bottle shop on the island, and these are the places that actually deliver.

1. Cerveza Malta — The Microbrewery Lanzarote Built From Scratch

Cerveza Malta operates out of a modest industrial unit in the Arrecife outskirts, near the Polígono Industrial de Tías, and it remains the island's most important local brewery. Founded by a Canarian couple who trained in mainland Spain before returning home, Malta produces a rotating lineup of small-batch beers that you genuinely cannot find anywhere else on the island. Their Malta Negra, a dark lager with a roasted malt backbone, is the one I keep coming back to. The taproom is unassuming, more warehouse than bar, but that's part of its appeal. You're drinking beer where it's made, often within hours of it leaving the tank.

Local Insider Tip: "Show up on a Friday afternoon between 4 and 6 PM. That's when the brewers themselves are most likely to be around, and they'll pour you experimental batches that never make it to the regular taps. Ask for whatever's on the pilot system."

The connection to Lanzarote runs deep here. The water they use is desalinated island water, which gives their beers a mineral profile you can actually taste, slightly saline, slightly volcanic. It's a detail most visitors wouldn't notice, but once you've had a few pints, it becomes the defining characteristic. Parking is tight on weekdays because the surrounding industrial estate fills up with delivery trucks, so I usually walk or grab a taxi.

2. La Cervecería — Arrecife's Craft Beer Anchor

La Cervecería sits on Calle José Antonio in the heart of Arrecife, and it's the closest thing the capital has to a dedicated craft beer bar. The owner, a transplanted Basque who fell in love with the island a decade ago, curates a rotating selection of craft beer taps Lanzarote visitors rarely see elsewhere. They typically carry four to six Malta beers on draft at any given time, plus guest taps from mainland Spanish breweries like Naparbier and Naparbier's collaborations. The bar itself is narrow and dimly lit, with exposed stone walls that feel more like a wine cellar than a beer hall. I usually go on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening when the after-work crowd thins out and you can actually talk to the staff about what's new.

Local Insider Tip: "Order the house-made croquetas. They're not on the written menu, but the kitchen makes a batch most evenings, and they pair perfectly with the IPA on tap. Just ask the bartender directly."

What makes this place matter to Lanzarote's beer culture is its consistency. While other bars rotate craft taps in and out depending on tourist season, La Cervecería keeps its core selection year-round. The outdoor tables on the street get brutally hot in July and August, so if you're visiting in summer, grab a seat inside near the back wall where the stone stays cool.

3. Bodega Arte y Vinos — Where Wine Country Meets Craft Beer

Over in San Bartolomé, on the central part of the island, Bodega Arte y Vinos sits on Calle Echeyde and operates as a wine shop that quietly maintains one of the better craft beer selections in the interior. The owner stocks bottled craft beer from local breweries Lanzarote has produced over the years, including archived bottles from Malta's earlier batches that have aged surprisingly well. It's a small space, more shop than bar, but they'll open a bottle for you if you ask politely and the place isn't crowded. I stop by whenever I'm driving through the center of the island, usually on a Saturday morning when the shop is quiet and the owner has time to talk about what's aging in the back.

Local Insider Tip: "Ask about the aged Malta bottles. The owner keeps a small personal stash of older vintages behind the counter, and if you show genuine interest, he'll open one. These aren't for sale, but he shares with people who actually care about the beer."

The connection to Lanzarote's broader character is the wine-beer crossover. This is a wine region first, the La Geria vineyards define the island's identity, and Bodega Arte y Vinos bridges that world with craft beer in a way that feels natural rather than forced. The shop closes for a long lunch break, typically from 1:30 to 4:30 PM, so plan your visit around that window.

4. El Jardín de Cerveza — Puerto del Carmen's Hidden Taproom

Tucked away on Avenida de las Playas in Puerto del Carmen, El Jardín de Cerveza is easy to walk past if you're not looking for it. It's a small bar with a garden terrace that the owner converted from a former souvenir shop about four years ago. The craft beer taps here rotate frequently, but they always carry at least two Malta beers and usually something from a mainland Spanish microbrewery Lanzarote importers bring in seasonally. Their tap list is written on a chalkboard near the bar, and the owner updates it by hand, which gives the whole place a low-key, personal feel. I like going on a Sunday afternoon when the tourist strip is winding down and the garden gets a bit of shade.

Local Insider Tip: "Sit in the back corner of the garden. There's a single table near the bougainvillea where the Wi-Fi actually works, and the owner keeps a fan running there in summer. It's his favorite spot, and he'll often bring out a small snack without you asking."

The garden itself is a small act of defiance against the concrete-heavy tourist development that dominates Puerto del Carmen. The owner planted most of the greenery himself, and the space feels like a private courtyard rather than a commercial bar. The only downside is that the bar closes relatively early, usually by 11 PM, so don't expect a late-night session.

5. Cervecería Volcánica — Teguise's Weekend Beer Stop

Teguise has become the island's craft beer weekend destination, largely because of Cervecería Volcónica on Calle León y Castillo. This bar opened about five years ago and has become the go-to spot for locals who want something beyond the standard tourist fare. They carry a solid rotation of craft beer taps Lanzarote brewers produce, and they're one of the few places on the island that regularly stocks guest beers from Tenerife and Gran Canaria breweries. The interior is modern, almost minimalist, with volcanic stone accents that nod to the island's geology. I always visit on a Saturday evening, ideally before 9 PM, because the place fills up fast once the Teguise market crowd drifts in.

Local Insider Tip: "If you're here on market day, Sunday morning, come before noon. The owner does a small tasting flight of four beers that he only offers on Sunday mornings, and it's the best value on the island for craft beer. Eight euros for four half-pints of rotating taps."

The bar's name is a direct reference to the Timanfaya volcanic field that defines Lanzarote's landscape, and the owner uses that connection deliberately. The beer labels they stock often feature volcanic imagery, and the whole aesthetic ties the craft beer experience to the island's geological identity. The only complaint I have is that the sound system can get loud on Saturday nights, making conversation difficult if you're trying to actually taste the beer.

6. La Bodeguita de César — Arrecife's After-Work Craft Spot

La Bodeguita de César operates on Calle Fajardo in Arrecife, and it's the kind of place where local office workers end up after a long week. The craft beer selection isn't enormous, maybe three or four taps at any given time, but the owner is a genuine beer enthusiast who rotates his taps based on what he personally wants to drink. That means the quality is consistently high, even if the variety is limited. I usually drop by on a Thursday evening, which is when the bar gets its weekly tap rotation, and the owner is most enthusiastic about explaining what's new. The space is small, maybe eight tables, and the walls are covered with beer labels and old Lanzarote postcards.

Local Insider Tip: "Ask the owner about the 'cerveza secreta.' He keeps one tap that's not on the board, usually something experimental from a local homebrewer he's collaborating with. It's never advertised, but if you ask directly, he'll pour you a glass."

The connection to Lanzarote's community is real here. The owner sources from local homebrewers and small-batch producers across the island, and the bar functions as an informal showcase for the local brewing scene. The downside is that the bar doesn't serve food beyond basic tapas, so eat before you arrive. Also, the single bathroom gets a long queue on busy nights.

7. The Irish Harbour Bar — Puerto del Carmen's Unexpected Craft Option

The Irish Harbour Bar on Calle Tejíos in Puerto del Carmen looks like every other expat pub on the strip, and most craft beer tourists walk right past it. That's a mistake. Behind the Guinness taps, the owner maintains a small but carefully curated selection of craft beer taps Lanzarote visitors rarely expect from an Irish pub. They usually have two Malta beers on draft and one rotating guest tap from a mainland Spanish brewery. The owner, an Irish-Canarian who's lived on the island for over twenty years, takes the craft selection seriously even though the pub's main business is still pints of stout. I go on a Monday or Tuesday evening when the tourist crowd is thin and the owner has time to talk beer.

Local Insider Tip: "Order the Malta IPA and ask for the 'Irish pour.' The owner does a slow pour that lets the beer settle properly, and he'll add a small splash of the guest tap on top if you ask. It's his personal technique, and it changes the beer completely."

The pub's location in the tourist heart of Puerto del Carmen gives it an odd dual identity. By day, it's a standard expat bar. By evening, especially on quieter weeknights, it becomes one of the more interesting craft beer spots on the island. The outdoor seating faces the street and gets heavy foot traffic noise, so sit inside if you want to actually focus on the beer.

8. Tienda de Cerveza Artesanal — Arrecife's Bottle Shop for Serious Collectors

On Calle Real in Arrecife, Tienda de Cerveza Artesanal is less a bar and more a bottle shop, but it deserves a spot on this list because it's the only dedicated craft beer retail shop on the island. The owner stocks bottled beers from local breweries Lanzarote has produced, including Malta's full range, plus a selection of mainland Spanish and European craft beers that you won't find in supermarkets. The shop is small, maybe thirty square meters, and the bottles are arranged by style on wooden shelves. I visit whenever I'm in Arrecife, usually on a weekday morning when the shop is quiet and the owner has time to talk about new arrivals.

Local Insider Tip: "Ask about the 'reservas.' The owner keeps a small selection of older bottles in a back room, including limited Malta releases from previous years. These aren't on the shelves, and they're priced fairly, but you have to ask."

The shop's existence is a testament to how far Lanzarote's craft beer culture has come. Five years ago, there was nowhere on the island to buy craft beer by the bottle. Now there's this small, carefully run shop that serves as both retail outlet and informal community hub for the island's beer enthusiasts. The only limitation is that the shop closes on Sundays and has reduced hours on Saturdays, so plan accordingly.

When to Go and What to Know

Lanzarote's craft beer scene operates on island time, which means things move slower and close earlier than you might expect on the mainland. Most bars open around 5 PM and close by midnight, with some closing earlier on weeknights. The best time to visit is between October and April, when the tourist pressure eases and the bars can focus on their local clientele. Summer months, June through September, bring crowds that push craft beer to the back burner in favor of faster-moving lagers and cocktails.

The local breweries Lanzarote produces are small-scale, which means availability is always a concern. If you see a Malta beer or a guest tap from a mainland brewery you recognize, drink it now. It might not be there next week. Prices are reasonable by European standards, typically 3 to 5 euros for a half-liter of craft beer, though some specialty taps run higher.

Getting around the island requires a car or taxi. Public transport exists but is infrequent and won't get you to the smaller bars outside Arrecife and Puerto del Carmen. If you're planning a craft beer tour of the island, rent a car and designate a driver, or budget for taxis between locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water in Lanzarote safe to drink, or should travelers strictly rely on filtered water options?

Tap water in Lanzarote is technically safe to drink as it meets EU standards, but it comes from desalination plants and most locals and visitors find the taste unpleasant. The mineral content is high, and the slightly saline flavor is noticeable. Most restaurants and bars serve bottled water by default, and many craft beer bars use filtered water for their beer preparation. Budget around 1 to 2 euros per day for bottled water, or bring a reusable bottle and refill at filtered water stations available in most tourist areas.

How easy is it to find pure vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based dining options in Lanzarote?

Vegetarian and vegan options have improved significantly in Lanzarote over the past five years, particularly in Arrecife, Puerto del Carmen, and the newer tourist developments. Most craft beer bars offer basic vegetarian tapas like patatas bravas, pimientos de padrón, and cheese plates, but fully vegan menus are still rare outside dedicated plant-based restaurants. Expect to find two or three vegetarian options at most craft beer bars, with vegan options limited to one or two dishes. The island's traditional cuisine is heavily meat and fish focused, so vegans may need to plan meals in advance.

Are there any specific dress codes or cultural etiquettes to keep in mind when visiting local spots in Lanzarote?

Lanzarote has no formal dress codes for bars or restaurants, and the craft beer scene is decidedly casual. Shorts, sandals, and t-shirts are acceptable at every venue on this list. The main cultural etiquette to observe is pacing. Meals and drinks in Lanzarote are social events that unfold slowly, and rushing through a beer or asking for the check before it's offered is considered slightly rude. Tipping is not mandatory but rounding up the bill or leaving 5 to 10 percent is appreciated, especially at smaller craft beer bars where the staff know you by name.

What is the one must-try local specialty food or drink that Lanzarote is famous for?

The papas arrugadas with mojo rojo and mojo verde are the island's signature dish, and they appear on the tapas menu at nearly every craft beer bar on this list. These small, unpeeled potatoes are boiled in heavily salted water until wrinkled, then served with two sauces: a spicy red mojo made with peppers and a green mojo made with cilantro. They pair exceptionally well with the island's craft beers, particularly the darker malty styles. A portion typically costs 4 to 6 euros and is substantial enough to serve as a light meal alongside a pint.

Is Lanzarote expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.

A mid-tier daily budget for Lanzarote runs approximately 80 to 120 euros per person, excluding accommodation. This covers two meals at casual restaurants (15 to 25 euros each), three to four craft beers at 3 to 5 euros per half-liter, local transport or car rental fuel (10 to 20 euros), and incidental expenses. A craft beer focused day, visiting two or three bars and eating at each, would cost roughly 40 to 60 euros for food and drink alone. Accommodation varies widely, but expect 50 to 90 euros per night for a decent apartment or hotel outside peak summer season. The island is cheaper than mainland Spain's major cities but more expensive than rural areas of the Canaries like El Hierro or La Gomera.

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