A lot of old-timey saloons would just put out a lunch buffet and as long as you bought one drink you could take what you like. Pretty good food by some accounts.
I talked to my Dad and he claimed this was still a thing in a few places as late as the early-80s, there were places with “happy hour” where they would put out a small buffet like once a week. He said in college he’d go to them and buy one beer and fill up.
Someone already mentioned tapas in Spain but i wanted to elaborate. I spent the most time in granada but it was also the case in other cities, but in some places you go into a bar and order a half pint (for like 2 euros, about the same as a bottle of water in the convenience stores there) and they bring you a little plate od food. For your second drink, the food is different, better and more filling. For your third, fourth and fifth, sixth, whatever drink, the food keeps getting better. You could go sit down in the afternoob and walk out a few hours later with a full stomach and a nice buzz, it was great.