Fun and entertainment Basque Country

In a particularly welcoming atmosphere, the Cork offers wine lovers a beautiful refuge: "wine is poetry in a bottle", as we say here! It has to be said that the owners don't mess around when it comes to quality, and make sure they stock a wide variety of labels. The cellar is always well-stocked and the balloons are accompanied by well-prepared pintxos, as well as plates no less elaborate. A great place to discover local and international wine specialties. Worth a try!

On the heights of Barrika beach, an excellent spot for aperitif time, with a large terrace facing the ocean to watch the surfers. At the arrival of fine weather, it is a very coveted place to drink a beer with friends or have lunch on the go. For example, you can eat cheap salads, share a plate of nachos, and for those who are hungry, opt for a burger. From time to time, the establishment also organizes concerts. A perfect place to watch the sunset, in a surfing atmosphere!

In northern Spain, vermouth is called marianito. This small, authentic and popular bar in the Siete Calles has made it its specialty: here the vermouth is served with a drop of gin and Angostura (a concentrate of essences from the Caribbean), orange peel, and a plate of olives. You can drink it red or blue, in this case with a drop of curaçao, and opt for a small plate of shellfish as an accompaniment: whelks, shrimps, etc. The place is particularly lively on Saturdays and Sundays at noon!

Designed by the "MindShakers", a young team of ultra-creative bartenders, this cocktail bar offers a cosy and cosmopolitan decor for a drink with friends. Its eclectic decor is organized in different spaces where oriental benches and cushions, Chester sofas, brick walls and mid-century style merge together. We like their cocktails, sometimes classic, sometimes inventive, which are accompanied by tapas and small dishes with exotic accents (ceviches, nachos, gyozas, etc.). Very fashionable, the bar is usually crowded on weekends!

Two rooms glued together - Stage live and Back room - in a very central location on the banks of the ría, facing the famous Zubizuri bridge. Here follow one another concerts and clubbing evenings with a varied programme: Erasmus evenings, commercial music, reggaeton...). With a solid reputation, Stage live welcomes quality artists, while the back room is one of the clubs of choice for 18-25 year olds. The club also has several VIP areas, the so-called privados, where all kinds of events can be celebrated.

A Casco Viejo classic on Athletic match nights: a crowd of fans gather in a lively atmosphere! The K2 also hosts temporary exhibitions of young artists and concerts (see the program on their website). A nice and lively place to have a drink in the evening, but also to nibble some pintxos and other unpretentious raciones (tortilla, burgers, etc.). A good address for football fans who want to see an Athletic match in a local atmosphere!

In the heart of the San Francisco neighborhood, a church built in the 17th century by Antonio Ortiz de Calina and Francisco de Elorriaga and renovated in the 18th century. In the 1990s, the Bilbao City Council decided to transform this old church into a musical and cultural space. Since then, Bilborock has been hosting a varied programme of concerts, film screenings, theatre and dance performances, conferences, etc. His Pop-Rock Villa contest in Bilbao brings together the best of the emerging scene. An atypical place, which has become the temple of alternative culture in Bilbao.

Located just a stone's throw from the Azkuna Zentroa cultural center, this musical bar is a sure bet in Ensanche for a sophisticated cocktail, with a varied musical program ranging from jazz to lounge sounds. We like the careful decoration of the place, which offers a pleasant framework to drink in the evening, but especially the card of coloured and tasty cocktails. Around the bar, the divine waitresses make heads turn, while the owner Jon ensures a pleasant welcome. A good address to meet people!

In the heart of the San Francisco district, a crazy bar that regularly hosts offbeat shows where burlesque is the order of the day. Las Fellini's show (www.lasfellini.com) is a classic not to be missed: you'll love this completely crazy transformist cabaret! The rest of the time, an eclectic, predominantly gay clientele dances to pop music and hits from the 1980s until the end of the night. Be aware of the programming available on their Facebook page: Badulake regularly organizes costume parties!

Renovated in 2016, the Gran Hotel Domine's bar has a chic and contemporary decor designed by the local agency Foraster Arquitectos. Luxurious materials, such as the large marble table at the entrance, the contrast between fabrics and beautiful materials and the cheerful designs of the famous Spanish designer Javier Mariscal make up a harmonious decor. Settle into one of its comfortable velvet sofas to enjoy an excellent cocktail in a cosmopolitan atmosphere. For those who are a little hungry, there is an interesting choice of tapas and raciones.

Installed in a former cinema in the Ensanche, the Sala BBK is a place dedicated to the dissemination of urban culture. The place belongs to the Basque financial entity BBK, now known as Kutxabank. Throughout the year, jazz, fado, flamenco, rock and roll, etc. concerts are programmed, as well as film screenings, conferences, dance shows and bertsolaris. All forms of culture are represented. A program specially designed for families is also offered.

A classic Bilbao nightclub since the 1990s, located in the heart of the Indautxu district. This pub with its woody and intimate decoration, with walls covered with banknotes, old frames and bottle caps, is perfect for an evening drink. Live concerts are regularly scheduled, as well as DJ sets until the early hours of the morning. Spanish artists such as Pablo Lopez, Antonio Orozco, El Lichis and Nil Moliner have taken to the stage in recent years, as well as emerging groups from the local scene.

This small bar overlooking the ria is the haunt of students and artists of the neighborhood. Set up in an old tavern that has been brought up to date, it has a charming décor combining sky blue earthenware tiles and bohemian furniture. The perfect place to sip a good beer or a marianito (vermouth) at any time of the day in an authentic atmosphere. For those who are a bit hungry, there are also good sandwiches and salads. As a bonus, the nicest terrace in the surroundings to enjoy pleasant views of the ría!

A room with a modern and uncluttered design, which offers several atmospheres throughout the day. We stop there for an early morning coffee, a vermouth at aperitif time, or a glass of champagne accompanied by oysters. You can also savour delicious raciones, such as anchovies from Bermeo or asparagus from Navarre, and above all drink good cocktails made with great skill. In the evenings, concerts and DJ sessions provide the atmosphere for a diverse clientele. A cosmopolitan place to go at any time of the day!

Inaugurated in 2015, this superb bar with a contemporary decor specialises in beer. At the bar, 6 beer barrels that change according to the seasons, and a very careful menu of bottled beers from all over the world, which also leaves a special place for local artisanal production. To accompany them, good pintxos and raciones of regional products, such as anchovies from Santoña, cockles from Galicia or cecina from León. The bar regularly schedules tastings and concerts. Very beautiful decor with an industrial aesthetic.

Inaugurated in 2003, Manu Iturregi's bar is now a classic in the Ensanche. Its premises, decorated as an Irish pub, regularly hosts jazz, blues and folk concerts... The quality of the music and the dexterity of the bartenders are the main reasons for Résidence's success. Attended by a regular clientele, you can breathe an atmosphere full of authenticity where it is good to drink a homemade beer or a whisky, selected from one of the 200 references available! Every Wednesday night, acoustic folk concerts at 9pm.

This space was originally designed in the 1990s to provide a meeting place for basque speakers. So don't be surprised if you hear a lot of people talking in Basque! Installed in a former cinema, it now functions as a restaurant, concert hall and nightclub. It is a reference stage for Basque musicians from the region, although it also hosts many international groups and artists. On the club side, the atmosphere is young and relaxed, with a very varied musical program

A small family bar where you can enjoy great cocktails and pintxos. With its large terrace on the Gran Vía, it is a meeting place at any time of the day, where you can meet señoras for coffee or thirty-somethings for an aperitif. Among its specialities appreciated by the regulars: the pintxo de tortilla, considered one of the best in the city, and its small toasted sandwiches that are eaten on the stroke of 11 o'clock for breakfast. In the evening, good atmosphere on two floors and around the bar!

Charming café with a bohemian spirit, a popular meeting point for breakfast during the week or brunch on weekends. In the early morning, you can enjoy grilled avocado and salmon tostadas, scrambled eggs, or bowls of yoghurt with fresh fruit and granola. With its vintage furniture, homemade cakes and quality coffee, it is also the perfect place for a gourmet snack break. For those who are a little hungry: quinoa salad, veggie sandwich and other good and healthy options.

Opened in 2018 on the banks of the ría, this trendy spot functions as a cultural space, concert hall and nightclub in the center of Bilbao. One stops here to see a concert, drink a cocktail after work, sip vermouth in the sun on Sunday lunch or dance on the dance floor to the sound of Djs. In a stylish decor of beautiful Art Deco lamps and light effects, or simply on the terrace by the water, this is the new meeting place for Bilbao's hipsters! Check the program on the website.

Theatre inaugurated in 1902, whose sumptuous modernist façade - with oriental influences - is the work of the French architect Jean Batiste Darroquy, a native of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. The interior, which has been completely renovated, houses a large main hall and the "sala Cúpula" dedicated to concerts. The theatre offers a varied programme of concerts and shows. The Kupula Bilbao cycle highlights local contemporary creation, with shows made in Bilbao

Since its creation in 2005, Fever has been the club of reference in Bilbao. Located south of Casco Viejo, this huge nightclub welcomes in its 4 rooms (Pink Fever, Gold Fever, Black Fever and Blue Fever) an eclectic clientele, eager for new music. In addition to its excellent concert programme, Fever also organises the "Art After Dark" evenings in the Guggenheim Museum one Friday a month, to visit the exhibitions at night with the music of the DJs as an accompaniment. Check the agenda on their website!

When Parisian chic meets Spanish tradition, the result is definitely worth a look. This is the case in this bistro on Rue Ledesma, an unmissable pedestrian street that is always very lively, where the vermouth aperitif is brought up to date. The house offers more than 50 references and many variations (rum, cava, vermouth sangria, etc.)! It is eaten with some gildas (typical Basque pintxo), cockles or anchovies. More consistent: Iberian ham croquetas and plates of smoked salmon, octopus or sheep's cheese.

Sure, it's not the best location in Irún, but this craft brewery has everything to seduce within its walls: a trendy industrial decor, large friendly tables, and a gourmet menu to accompany the beer tastings. With the fermentation room as a backdrop, one can appreciate the subtleties of the craft beers, while enjoying delicious small dishes to share with various influences: nachos, fried calamari, quesadillas, pastrami sandwiches and burgers will delight the gourmets!

Don't be fooled by its very exotic name (Koh Tao is a Thai island...)! This small café in the centre of San Sebastián is in fact a bohemian refuge, where exhibitions of local artists and concerts are regularly held in an intimate atmosphere. Decorated in a vintage spirit, the place is just as pleasant during the day to drink a coffee as it is in the evening to have a drink with a pintxo of tortilla. His homemade cakes and avocado or smoked salmon tarts are a big hit at breakfast time!

It's the trendy club in San Sebastian! It is located a stone's throw from the Parte Vieja, in the magnificent building of the yacht club. Built in the 1920s, this century-old, boat-like building is one of the city's icons. After a respectful renovation, highlighting the rationalist lines of the building with Bauhaus-inspired furniture, the establishment finally opened its doors in 2015. At once restaurant, cocktail bar and club, it is the chic place not to be missed. Magnificent view of the bay.

Concerts, DJs, book presentations, bertsolaris (improvisation sung and versified in Basque), poetry readings... This cultural space with its youthful atmosphere attracts many locals. Inaugurated in 2007 in the district of El Antiguo, Doka was born from the initiative of a small group of friends who wanted to create a lively and participatory Basque speaking space. Thus, its programming highlights local Basque language creation: perfect for cultural immersion!

In a lively street in the Gros district, a wonderful address for gin and tonic lovers! In Spain, this trendy cocktail is constantly being emulated, so much so that this bar offers a menu specialising in gin from all over the world, with a multitude of references. The preparation of cocktails is a show in itself, so we advise you to settle down at the bar to watch the barmen at work. Continue the evening on the terrace, where the atmosphere is always lively!

Scandinavian decor, all light wood and white, for this friendly bar on Calle Matía, a lively shopping street in the heart of El Antiguo. On weekends, the locals meet there to drink a beer or a "marianito" (vermouth served with a drop of gin), accompanied by cod fritters, a plate of Iberian sausages or a salad. It's also a good option for a sandwich, burger or a good dish of the day in a very local atmosphere. On Sunday at 1pm, don't miss the "Marigilda" with live concert and vermut!

Named in honour of Victoire-Eugénie de Battenberg, this neo-Renaissance style theatre is the work of the architect Francisco de Urcola. It was built in 1909 at the same time as the Hotel María Cristina, when San Sebastian was living its golden age as a holiday resort for the aristocracy. In the main hall, covered by a vault and decorated with frescoes, many zarzuela shows were held. Catalyst of local artistic creation, it is also the seat of the Jazz Festival and the Musical Fortnight.

Just a stone's throw from the Cristina Enea Park and the Tabakalera Cultural Centre, an emerging hipster neighbourhood, a multi-purpose bar that hosts live concerts and DJ sets as well as exhibitions, audiovisual screenings and ephemeral record markets. This catch-all concept, combined with a vintage decor, a small terrace and table football, make this place an original and vibrant place, popular with the local youth. For a dive into the San Sebastian mainstream, check out its cultural agenda and come and drink a homemade beer!

On the ground floor of the Hotel Maria Cristina, the Dry bar features a menu designed by Javier de las Muelas, the king of cocktails in Spain. The perfect place for a chic aperitif in a Belle Epoque setting that pays tribute to the film stars who frequented the hotel, including Bette Davis, whose portrait sits enthroned above the bar. A la carte, timeless classics and signature cocktails that will delight the most demanding palates. Tea time, another privileged moment, is accompanied by a selection of biscuits, madeleines and delicate cakes.

After a complete facelift in 2016, the emblematic Be Bop became the ¡ BE! Club. Despite this change of name and image, the club retains its eclectic character and quality musical programming. Located at the corner of Paseo Salamanca, just at the mouth of the Urumea River, it offers beautiful views of the Kursaal through its large bay windows. On the program: soul and jazzy music on Fridays, classics from the 50-60's or hits from the 80-90's on Saturday nights... In summer, we open a little earlier to take the vermut from 12.30 pm!

In the heart of old San Sebastian, the Teatro Principal (main theatre), inaugurated in 1843, is the oldest theatre in the city. Rebuilt around 1930, this classical building houses a varied programme of theatre (often in Euskera), dance and music. It is also home to several film festivals, including Dock of the Bay (a music documentary festival) and the Fantastic and Terror Film Week. To buy online tickets to his shows or concerts, go to donostiakultura.eus

Since its creation in 1988, this concert hall has been the epicentre of San Sebastián's underground culture. Located in the Egia district, an area undergoing major changes since the opening of the Tabakalera cultural centre, the Bukowski honours emerging artists as well as established names. In a beautiful setting with a vintage feel - the place also functions as a café during the day - the mythical Bukowski hosts concerts and DJ sets in a variety of styles, from rock to house, including punk, mambo and garage music.

A mecca for mixology, this bar born in 2018 is the new meeting point for cocktail lovers and chic ambiences! Located near the Guggenheim Museum, it offers an ultra-tidy decor with its wooden shelves lined with multicoloured liqueurs and jars, its trendy green velvet benches and its luminous globe. Behind the bar, the stylish waiters will concoct elixirs for you to fall down and choose from a menu of "new classics" and signature cocktails. As a side dish, try their delicious pancakes!

This small bar attracts a lot of people thanks to its privileged location facing the port and its high quality musical program. As soon as there is a ray of sunshine, we settle down on the terrace or on the stairs that climb up to Mount Urgull to enjoy the panorama. The boss, Imanol Basterra, selects good local beers, such as those from Basqueland and Gora, and takes care of the musical programming. He often deejays from soul and ska to more pop-rock sounds as the night progresses.