Bilbao
For a friendly, laid-back drinking scene – with great food to boot – this bohemian south-bank spot is hard to top. The interior is awash with Mason-jar…
Must-see nightlife in Basque Country
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San Sebastián
The name is a misnomer but this new-town place is spot-on for coffee. Set up by two Brazilian friends, it does small-batch roasting on site, and uses…
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San Sebastián
San Sebastián's top club, a classic disco housed in a grand seafront complex, sets the stage for memorable beachside partying. The club action kicks in…
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Bilbao
This unabashedly hipster joint draws lovers of craft beer to its cosy, eclectically adorned interior of mismatched furniture and artfully hung bicycle…
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San Sebastián
Everyone's favourite indie venue, Dabadaba is a fine spot to escape the old-town crowds, with a laid-back ambiance, good craft brews and an inviting…
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Bilbao
Sweeping views over Bilbao's skyline extend from this 12th-floor, glass-walled rooftop bar at the top of the Hotel Ercilla. Especially at sunset and after…
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Bilbao
Taste your way around some of Spain's finest small artisan vineyards at this cosy wine bar owned and run by Jonathan García, a former Basque sommelier…
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Bilbao
It's worth strolling up to this patisserie and cafe for a caffeinated pick-me-up coupled with a delectable treat or two (pastries from €1.50) baked in…
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Hondarribia
Behind its rustic stone facade, this contemporary wine bar has 50 wines by the glass, including locally produced txakoli, Tempranillo (full-bodied red…
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Bilbao
Moorish-style arches, exquisite tiling, polychrome wooden ceilings, frescoes and a marble bar are the defining characteristics of this grande dame dating…
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Bilbao
While the name is slightly ridiculous, this stylish cafe, bar and eatery does hit all the right notes with its good (and inexpensive) wines, steamy…
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San Sebastián
Just off the beaten path, La Mera Mera is a shoebox-sized bar with a bohemian air thanks to the old photos on the walls and slender brassy light fixtures…
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Bilbao
A must for all fans of Bilbao's famed football team, La Peña Athletic is covered with vintage jerseys, trophies, old team photos and oil paintings of…
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San Sebastián
A hip favourite near the cathedral, Pokhara draws a wide cross section of imbibers and party people to its weekend DJ sessions. During the week, it's a…
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Bilbao
When the rains arrive, cosy Baobab is a fine place to retreat. This riverside cafe has an excellent array of teas, infusions, beer, wine, vermouth and…
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Bilbao
Located under the railway lines, El Balcón de la Lola doesn't get going until late. One of Bilbao’s most popular mixed gay/straight clubs, this is the…
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Bilbao
One of a number of lively drinking haunts on Calle de Somera, K2 is a modest tunnel-shaped bar frequented by a young, studenty crowd, particularly at…
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San Sebastián
One of a number of haunts on a popular drinking strip near the cathedral, Pub Drop is the place to get to grips with the local beer. There are up to 50…
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Bilbao
Residence hosts acoustic jam sessions throughout the month, including Irish folk, blues and roots. Even when there's nothing on, it's a great little spot…
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Bilbao
Inviting coffeehouse Bohemian Lane has wicker chairs, furniture made from salvaged wooden pallets and mismatched cushions. A laid-back spot for fair trade…
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San Sebastián
Escape the beachfront hordes at this gem of a cafe. Housed in a river-facing residential block, it's popular with locals of all ages, who flock to the…
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San Sebastián
Appropriately named, this atmospheric bar is full of bottles of Scotland’s finest (3400 bottles to be exact, though only 200 varieties are served) as well…
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Bilbao
Lamiak, a long-standing Casco Viejo favourite on the gay scene, is a buzzing cafe with a cavernous red and black hall, cast iron columns and upstairs…
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San Sebastián
Glorious beach views extend from this waterfront cocktail bar in the 1929-opened Real Club Náutico de San Sebastián building, designed to look like a boat…
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Bilbao
Just outside the Casco Viejo metro station, this petite cafe is a fine spot for a pick-me-up – the kind of place where baristas draw art in your latte,…
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Bilbao
Overlooking the Nervión, Marzana is a hip little spot that draws a festive and bohemian crowd, who come for evening drinks and people watching. The inside…
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Basque Country
A fine place to recharge on the main plaza, La Crème serves up good coffees, smoothies and other refreshments, though most people drop in for the decadent…
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Bilbao
A Bilbao institution since 1994, with a saxophone beer tap and bottle cap–studded walls, the Cotton Club draws a diverse crowd to its DJ-stoked nights and…
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San Sebastián
Good at any time of the day, Koh Tao is a laid-back place with mismatched vintage furniture, comfy armchairs, street-art murals on its exposed-brick walls…
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Bilbao
A well-known address on the nightlife circuit, Badulake bursts to life on Thursdays when Las Fellini, a local cabaret act, ham it up in front of a largely…
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Hondarribia
This hip little bar pays homage to New Orleans through its great music line-up. Stop in for local craft beers and cocktails. There are a few tables on the…
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Bilbao
Start off the night at this sophisticated rooftop bar, which has first-rate cocktails and fine views over town from its third-storey perch inside the…
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Bilbao
A chilled spot for a cocktail with a good-looking crowd (and even better-looking waitstaff), outdoor seating and a colourfully decked interior. On the…
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Basque Country
Fun and festive, La Cassette draws all ages for its outstanding mojitos and G&Ts. Things get lively on weekends, with DJs spinning highly danceable tunes…
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Hondarribia
With a light, airy interior, this cafe-bakery is a lovely place to rejuvenate with a freshly squeezed juice, coffee or home-baked cake.
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Bilbao
Jungle-print wallpaper, lush plants hanging from the ceiling and adorning the walls, and a bar made from recycled timber create a tropical atmosphere at…
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Bilbao
Billing itself as a 'coffee lab', Cinnamon brews organic, Basque-roasted beans in a spectrum of styles, and also serves fresh juices, smoothies, herbal…
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Bilbao
Back-lit cabinets and contemporary furnishings make this a stylish place for sipping cocktails such as its namesake, Gin Fizz (gin, sugar syrup and soda),…
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Bilbao
Plastered with posters, guitars and other memorabilia, dimly lit Hells Bells blasts out tracks from bands such as AC/DC, Judas Priest, Mötley Crüe, Kiss…
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San Sebastián
A bright, modern bar with outdoor seating and pop beats inside. It's set on a mostly pedestrian lane with a handful of other appealing spots nearby. With…
