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Botín and the "tuna"

The Origin of a Musical Tradition at Botín

Since 1959, the Tuna has been an essential part of Botín’s soul. That year, five students decided to sing and play in the restaurant, surprising the diners. Soon, surprise turned into applause, invitations for wine, and an unspoken agreement to return night after night.

What began as an improvisation turned into an uninterrupted tradition that has lasted for over forty years. Generations of tunos have passed through the restaurant, keeping alive a custom that blends music, brotherhood, and a deep love for university life. Each night, their voices and melodies echoed within the walls of the world's oldest restaurant.

The owners of Botín welcomed the Tuna with enthusiasm, granting it a special place in the restaurant’s history. Thus, the Tuna of Madrid found in Botín its home, its stage, and its refuge, becoming an inseparable part of its identity and a beloved attraction for guests from all over the world.

Songs, Rondas, and Unforgettable Gatherings

The nights at Botín have witnessed countless rondas, where the tunos would weave through the tables with their guitars, bandurrias, and lutes. Diners, enchanted by their artistry and joy, would join the celebration with claps and toasts, creating an unmatched atmosphere of camaraderie.

Encounters with veteran tunos have always been deeply moving moments. The younger ones would look up in admiration to those who had sung at Botín before them, listening to their stories and learning from their legacy. Despite the passing years, the essence and spirit of the Tuna remained untouched, passed down from generation to generation.

Nights of celebration, nights of nostalgia, nights where music united strangers under a shared feeling. The Tuna of Botín became a symbol of joy and tradition, a fundamental piece of the restaurant’s history and in the hearts of those fortunate enough to experience those magical evenings.

Ava Gardner
 and a Magical Night at Botín

Botín has welcomed countless celebrities, but few nights have been as memorable as the one starring Ava Gardner. While filming in Madrid, the Hollywood star was invited to a party where the Tuna and a flamenco troupe would perform in her honor. From the very first moment, she was captivated by the energy and artistry of the tunos.
The next day, to everyone’s surprise, Gardner showed up at Botín, surrounded by her usual entourage. The Tuna began to play, and as the night went on, magic filled the air. Swept away by the music, the actress ended up barefoot on a table, dancing to the rhythm of Porompompero while the guests cheered her on with excitement.
That night, the Tuna and Ava Gardner wrote an unforgettable chapter in Botín’s history. It was an evening where music, glamour, and spontaneity came together to create a one-of-a-kind spectacle—a memory that, even today, lives on in the stories of those who were there.

The Tuna’s Legacy at Botín

Over the years, the Tuna has been a living testament to Botín’s evolution. With each new generation of tunos, the repertoire has grown richer, voices have changed, and stories have multiplied, yet the essence has remained unchanged: music as a bond, friendship as a pillar, and tradition as a hallmark.
Many tunos have set off to other destinations, but their spirit remains present in every note that echoes within the restaurant’s walls. Farewells, though inevitable, have never meant a definitive goodbye, but rather a pause before the reunion—because those who have played at Botín always find their way back.
Botín and the Tuna have grown together, sharing nights of celebration, nostalgia, and emotion. Today, the tradition remains alive, reminding us that music not only brings joy but also unites and leaves a lasting mark on those who have the privilege of being part of this history.
Canon Inc

Botín and the "tuna"

The Origin of a Musical Tradition at Botín

Since 1959, the Tuna has been an essential part of Botín’s soul. That year, five students decided to sing and play in the restaurant, surprising the diners. Soon, surprise turned into applause, invitations for wine, and an unspoken agreement to return night after night.

What began as an improvisation turned into an uninterrupted tradition that has lasted for over forty years. Generations of tunos have passed through the restaurant, keeping alive a custom that blends music, brotherhood, and a deep love for university life. Each night, their voices and melodies echoed within the walls of the world's oldest restaurant.

The owners of Botín welcomed the Tuna with enthusiasm, granting it a special place in the restaurant’s history. Thus, the Tuna of Madrid found in Botín its home, its stage, and its refuge, becoming an inseparable part of its identity and a beloved attraction for guests from all over the world.

Songs, Rondas, and Unforgettable Gatherings

The nights at Botín have witnessed countless rondas, where the tunos would weave through the tables with their guitars, bandurrias, and lutes. Diners, enchanted by their artistry and joy, would join the celebration with claps and toasts, creating an unmatched atmosphere of camaraderie.

Encounters with veteran tunos have always been deeply moving moments. The younger ones would look up in admiration to those who had sung at Botín before them, listening to their stories and learning from their legacy. Despite the passing years, the essence and spirit of the Tuna remained untouched, passed down from generation to generation.

Nights of celebration, nights of nostalgia, nights where music united strangers under a shared feeling. The Tuna of Botín became a symbol of joy and tradition, a fundamental piece of the restaurant’s history and in the hearts of those fortunate enough to experience those magical evenings.

Ava Gardner
 and a Magical Night at Botín

Botín has welcomed countless celebrities, but few nights have been as memorable as the one starring Ava Gardner. While filming in Madrid, the Hollywood star was invited to a party where the Tuna and a flamenco troupe would perform in her honor. From the very first moment, she was captivated by the energy and artistry of the tunos.
The next day, to everyone’s surprise, Gardner showed up at Botín, surrounded by her usual entourage. The Tuna began to play, and as the night went on, magic filled the air. Swept away by the music, the actress ended up barefoot on a table, dancing to the rhythm of Porompompero while the guests cheered her on with excitement.
That night, the Tuna and Ava Gardner wrote an unforgettable chapter in Botín’s history. It was an evening where music, glamour, and spontaneity came together to create a one-of-a-kind spectacle—a memory that, even today, lives on in the stories of those who were there.

The Tuna’s Legacy at Botín

Over the years, the Tuna has been a living testament to Botín’s evolution. With each new generation of tunos, the repertoire has grown richer, voices have changed, and stories have multiplied, yet the essence has remained unchanged: music as a bond, friendship as a pillar, and tradition as a hallmark.
Canon Inc
Many tunos have set off to other destinations, but their spirit remains present in every note that echoes within the restaurant’s walls. Farewells, though inevitable, have never meant a definitive goodbye, but rather a pause before the reunion—because those who have played at Botín always find their way back.
Botín and the Tuna have grown together, sharing nights of celebration, nostalgia, and emotion. Today, the tradition remains alive, reminding us that music not only brings joy but also unites and leaves a lasting mark on those who have the privilege of being part of this history.