Must-see nightlife in Bilbao

  • Peso Neto

    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…

  • Bihotz

    Bilbao

    This unabashedly hipster joint draws lovers of craft beer to its cosy, eclectically adorned interior of mismatched furniture and artfully hung bicycle…

  • Cork

    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…

  • Le Club

    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…

  • Opila

    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…

  • Café Iruña

    Bilbao

    Moorish-style arches, exquisite tiling, polychrome wooden ceilings, frescoes and a marble bar are the defining characteristics of this grande dame dating…

  • Mr Marvelous

    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…

  • La Peña Athletic

    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…

  • Baobab

    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…

  • El Balcón de la Lola

    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…

  • K2

    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…

  • Residence

    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…

  • Bohemian Lane

    Bilbao

    Inviting coffeehouse Bohemian Lane has wicker chairs, furniture made from salvaged wooden pallets and mismatched cushions. A laid-back spot for fair trade…

  • Lamiak

    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…

  • Beetle Bar

    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,…

  • Marzana 16

    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…

  • Cotton Club

    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…

  • Badulake

    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…

  • La Terraza del Yandiola

    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…

  • La Korrala

    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…

  • Hells Bells

    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…

  • Gin Fizz

    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),…

  • Botanico

    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…

  • Cinnamon

    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…

  • Bar Nashville

    Bilbao

    In the dressy, bar-heavy area around Calle de Licenciado Poza, this casual neighbourhood hangout is decidedly unpretentious. Chatty drinkers of all ages…

  • Casa del Café & Té

    Bilbao

    This cute little blue teashop sells loose-leaf tea to take away or you can sit and sup your brew in situ.

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