A Spanish bar has begun to offer free drinks for patrons who insult staff in funny, original ways.

The owner, Bernard Mariusz, said Monday the promotion is meant to give customers a way to let off some recession-related steam.

The wisecracks must be good-natured, not mean, he said.

The Casa Pocho bar in the southern town of Cullera opened last week and so far the promotion seems to be working, said Mariusz.

"When you come in after work, you can swear at them and call them bastard or imbecile," patron Antonio Ossa told UPI.

Mariusz said one of his favourites so far came from a woman who told him his ears were so big they reminded her of a car with its doors wide open.

With files from The Associated Press