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Opening and Launch Catering in Spain

An opening is a standing event. Guests arrive in waves, nobody sits down for long, and the room is usually the new shop, office or restaurant itself, often without a finished kitchen. If you are organising an opening event in Spain, the catering has to work in tight space: food that can be eaten with one hand, a bar that keeps moving, waiters circulating and a quick turnaround between setup and clear-up.

Below you'll find the catering companies in the directory that cover openings and product launches. The rest of this page explains how an opening cocktail is put together, what it costs, and the practical details to settle before you ask for quotes.

61 catering companies · 3 cities

Waiters seen from behind carrying canapé trays through a newly opened space, with a champagne tower on the counter

Openings by city

Barcelona (8) Valencia (5) Malaga (3)
The Wine Truck

The Wine Truck

Puigdelfí, Tarragona

5.0 (48 reviews)

Catering company specialising in open bar, cocktail, birthdays, hen & stag, openings and paella & bbq, based in Puigdelfí.

Open Bar Cocktail Birthdays +3
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Botiga La Placeta

Botiga La Placeta

Mataró, Barcelona

4.9 (28 reviews)

Catering company specialising in brunch, cocktail, corporate, birthdays, hen & stag, home catering and openings, based in Mataró.

Brunch Cocktail Corporate +4
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Eventos Argentinos

Eventos Argentinos

Valencia

5.0 (9 reviews)

Catering company specialising in weddings, private chef, corporate, birthdays, hen & stag, home catering, trade fairs, parties, openings and paella & bbq, based in Valencia.

Weddings Private Chef Corporate +7
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Catering La Lloca

Catering La Lloca

Torrelles de Llobregat, Barcelona

4.8 (155 reviews)

Catering company specialising in weddings, corporate, home catering, trade fairs, parties, openings and paella & bbq, based in Torrelles de Llobregat.

Weddings Corporate Home Catering +4
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Catering AsturCocteleros

Catering AsturCocteleros

Gijon, Asturias

4.8 (45 reviews)

Catering company specialising in cocktail, parties, wedding planner, weddings, open bar, private chef, coffee breaks, corporate, ham carver, home catering, openings and industrial, based in Gijon.

Cocktail Parties Wedding Planner +9
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ChocoFruitFondue

ChocoFruitFondue

Valencia

4.8 (24 reviews)

Catering company specialising in open bar, gala dinners, cocktail, corporate, hen & stag, parties, children's parties and openings, based in Valencia.

Open Bar Gala Dinners Cocktail +5
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Catering Lucia y Joaquin

Catering Lucia y Joaquin

Madrid

4.6 (85 reviews)

Catering company specialising in weddings, gala dinners, cocktail, coffee breaks, corporate, ham carver, birthdays, hen & stag, home catering, trade fairs, openings and paella & bbq, based in Madrid.

Weddings Gala Dinners Cocktail +9
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Restaurante Antonio

Restaurante Antonio

Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz

4.5 (1920 reviews)

Catering company specialising in weddings, corporate, hen & stag, children's parties and openings, based in Jerez de la Frontera.

Weddings Corporate Hen & Stag +2
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Loxisco Galicia

Loxisco Galicia

Culleredo, A Coruña

4.5 (93 reviews)

Catering company specialising in open bar, weddings, private chef, cocktail, corporate, ham carver, home catering, openings, paella & bbq and wedding planner, based in Culleredo.

Open Bar Weddings Private Chef +7
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Novaterra Catering & Eventos

Novaterra Catering & Eventos

Paterna, Valencia

4.5 (72 reviews)

Catering company specialising in open bar, weddings, brunch, cocktail, coffee breaks, corporate, birthdays, parties, openings and wedding planner, based in Paterna.

Open Bar Weddings Brunch +7
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Auzoa Bera

Auzoa Bera

Bera, Navarra

4.4 (493 reviews)

Catering company specialising in weddings, cocktail, hen & stag, home catering, openings and paella & bbq, based in Bera.

Weddings Cocktail Hen & Stag +3
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Las Tartas de Esmeralda

Las Tartas de Esmeralda

Sant Andreu de la Barca, Barcelona

4.2 (25 reviews)

Catering company specialising in weddings, corporate, hen & stag, parties, children's parties and openings, based in Sant Andreu de la Barca.

Weddings Corporate Hen & Stag +3
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El Puchero de Plata,s.l

El Puchero de Plata,s.l

Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid

4.1 (35 reviews)

Catering company specialising in weddings, gala dinners, cocktail, coffee breaks, corporate, birthdays, home catering, openings and wedding planner, based in Pozuelo de Alarcón.

Weddings Gala Dinners Cocktail +6
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Showcooking

Showcooking

A Coruna

4.1 (93 reviews)

Catering company specialising in brunch, gala dinners, private chef, cocktail, coffee breaks, corporate, ham carver, home catering, parties, openings and paella & bbq, based in A Coruna.

Brunch Gala Dinners Private Chef +8
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Jeyrs Catering

Jeyrs Catering

L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona

4.1 (124 reviews)

Catering company specialising in private chef, cocktail, coffee breaks, corporate, birthdays, hen & stag, home catering, openings, industrial and paella & bbq, based in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat.

Private Chef Cocktail Coffee Breaks +7
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Mes QBO

Barberà del Vallès, Barcelona

3.0 (6 reviews)

Catering company specialising in weddings, corporate, home catering, parties, openings, industrial and wedding planner, based in Barberà del Vallès.

Weddings Corporate Home Catering +4
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Jardines de Uleta

Jardines de Uleta

Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava

Catering company specialising in open bar, brunch, cocktail, coffee breaks, corporate, ham carver, birthdays and openings, based in Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Open Bar Brunch Cocktail +5
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Estilo Gourmet

Alhaurín de la Torre, Málaga

Catering company specialising in open bar, private chef, cocktail, corporate, home catering, children's parties, gourmet and openings, based in Alhaurín de la Torre.

Open Bar Private Chef Cocktail +5
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El Pincel Catering

Arroyomolinos, Madrid

Catering company specialising in brunch, gala dinners, private chef, cocktail, coffee breaks, corporate, home catering, openings and industrial, based in Arroyomolinos.

Brunch Gala Dinners Private Chef +6
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What an opening cocktail includes

The standard format for an opening or product launch in Spain is the standing cocktail, and it works because people arrive at different times and stay for different lengths. It usually includes:

  • Cold canapés and finger food on trays, with one or two hot bites brought out in batches.
  • A fixed table with food that is easy to pick up, so guests who arrive late still find something.
  • A drinks bar with wine, beer, soft drinks, water, ice and glassware.
  • Waiters circulating with trays and clearing used glasses.
  • Setup, high tables and linen, and the clear-up at the end.

If the venue is small, the caterer will use fewer tables and more trays. The aim is to keep people moving and talking, not to seat them.

Black tray of bite-sized canapés and champagne glasses at an opening reception, blurred room behind

Formats for different openings

Not every opening is the same, and caterers adapt the same cocktail to the space and the guest list:

  • Shop opening: usually a small or medium guest list, canapés on trays and a small bar, with staff who can clear quickly if customers come in.
  • Office opening: often daytime, so lighter food and more non-alcoholic drinks; sometimes a coffee break-style start with a cocktail afterwards.
  • Restaurant opening: the caterer may work around the restaurant's own kitchen, or bring everything in if it is not ready.
  • Product launch: more waiters per guest, because press and guests need to be served without waiting; food is smaller and easier to eat while holding a phone or a glass.

For all of these, the quote should state the format, the number of guests and the service time, so the same price means the same service.

What an opening cocktail costs

In Spain, a cocktail or canapé service for an opening is usually quoted per person. The typical range is:

ConceptPrice
Cocktail, per person€25 – €50
Opening cocktail for 50 guests€1,250 – €2,500
Minimum order€300 – €600

Most quotes are given without VAT. The catering service itself is taxed at 10%, while hired equipment such as high tables or glassware is taxed at 21%. Staff, travel and equipment are sometimes itemised separately, so ask for those lines in writing before comparing quotes.

A bartender's hands preparing welcome cocktails at a pop-up bar, warm lights glowing behind

How to ask for a quote without surprises

An opening quote depends less on the menu and more on the conditions of the venue. When you contact a caterer, give them:

  • The date, start and end time, and the expected number of guests.
  • Whether the venue has a kitchen, running water, a fridge and power; if not, say so.
  • Whether it is a shop, office, restaurant or product launch, because that changes the service.
  • How many guests will come in the first wave and whether there is a speech or ribbon-cutting moment.
  • Access details: where the van can stop and how equipment gets in.
  • Whether you need high tables, linen, glassware or a bar counter.

Ask for one written quote that includes menu, staff, equipment, travel and clear-up. Then compare like with like.

Common mistakes at openings

  • Planning for a seated menu. An opening is a standing event; guests expect to circulate. A seated meal changes the whole cost and space.
  • Forgetting the venue has no kitchen. The caterer can bring everything ready, but needs a support area, power and sometimes ventilation for hot food.
  • Too few waiters. In a cocktail, the usual ratio is one waiter per 20–25 guests. Below that, trays come back slowly and used glasses pile up.
  • Not booking early. For an opening, four to eight weeks is a sensible amount of notice; if the date is set by a launch campaign, ask earlier.
  • Ignoring the clear-up. A new venue may need to be empty by a certain time. Confirm who clears and when.

Frequently asked questions

How much does catering for an opening with 50 guests cost?

Between €1,250 and €2,500, based on a cocktail at €25 to €50 per person, the usual range in Spain. Staff, equipment and travel are sometimes added separately, so ask for a written quote that shows those lines.

How many waiters are needed for the cocktail at an opening?

One waiter per 20 to 25 guests is the standard ratio for a standing cocktail. If the opening has press or officials, use the higher end of that range so trays come back quickly and glasses are cleared.

Can the catering for an opening be done if the venue has no kitchen?

Yes, and it is common. The caterer prepares the food in its own kitchen and brings it ready, then reheats and plates on site. They need a support area, power and some ventilation if hot canapés are served. Mention it when asking for the quote.

What food is normally served at an opening cocktail?

Cold canapés and finger food, a couple of hot bites brought out in batches, and a bar with drinks. Everything is designed to be eaten standing with one hand. Many caterers also add a small station where something is finished in front of guests.

How far ahead should I book catering for a business opening?

Four to eight weeks is a comfortable amount of notice for a normal opening. If the date depends on a product launch or a press announcement, book earlier so the caterer can hold the date and plan the service.

What are the three main types of catering for an opening event?

The three main formats are cocktail, buffet and served menu. For an opening or product launch, the cocktail is the standard choice because guests arrive at different times and stay standing. A buffet works for a larger space, and a served menu is rare for an opening.

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