The best bars and cafés PAYS BASQUE NAVARRE - RIOJA

Facing the Zorrotzaurre peninsula, this trendy bar has the most pleasant terrace in Bilbao. And for good reason: it is literally placed on the river, like a glass cube on stilts. Managed by the Bilbao Yacht Club, the bar has its own pier, which is the height of chic! Its excellent cocktails and live music program attract a young and trendy clientele. The place is particularly popular on weekends at vermut time, at the stroke of noon. A privileged spot for an aperitif or a cocktail!

At the arrival of the beautiful days, here is the spot not to be missed for a drink in the evening. Located on the roof of the Azkuna Zentroa cultural centre, this rooftop bar attracts a trendy clientele who come to sip a cocktail against a backdrop of lounge music. The terrace depends on the Yandiola restaurant, a good table with modern cuisine located inside the cultural centre, but it can be accessed completely independently. In addition to its chill-out atmosphere conducive to encounters, you will also appreciate its pleasant views, especially on the dome of the building.

This large retro bistro, run by the same family since 1916, has kept its circle of regulars frozen around the same deck of cards, with chickpeas as a bet. At the back of the large room, lined with clichés of old Logroño, the comedor serves as a popular canteen. Although the service is a little uneven and the cuisine rather basic, the place has kept the charm of the old century-old bistros where the old people like to meet up. You will appreciate this old-fashioned atmosphere over a coffee or a small beer at aperitif time.

A two-minute walk from Paseo del Espolón, this café opens onto a large terrace and is bustling with people from the early morning. The reason? Its inexpensive breakfasts, consisting of coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice and a pastry or sandwich. Nothing extraordinary a priori, but the speed of service, the good products on offer and the effervescent atmosphere of the place have won over many of the faithful. It is therefore an excellent address for those looking for a place to have breakfast in Logroño. Simple and efficient!

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!

Behind a beautiful facade with old which overhangs the ria, the Nervión café hides a Bohemian and authentic decor. One comes there for the breakfast, to nibble a sandwich or to take an evening drink, among an young clientele and eclectic. 

A musical bar with a colourful decoration, whose name pays tribute to the icon of Swinging London. Bohemian atmosphere and vegetarian pintxos!

At a former scrap yard in Bilbao La Vieja, this trendy bar showcases Portuguese cans: sardines, tuna, mussels, etc. About twenty references to taste with a glass of vinho verde, port, or a local creation: the Txakoli Spritz! A good address for an aperitif.

Mystik is the first theatre workshop of Bilbao. A decor evokes a film set, with live performances and good music. It is also a haunt for fans come to see the games of Athletic on the big screen.

A cosmopolitan café on the ground floor of the cultural center Azkuna Zentroa, perfect to nibble a < i > pintxo < /i > in the bar or a coffee while settling in a comfortable sofa. It hosts regular weekend DJ sets to put the atmosphere. Very successful industrial surroundings.

Pretty bar with the colonial decor where you can have a coffee, eat some < i > pintxos < /i > or for an evening drink. Specialist in rum, it offers a wide variety of references, international brands with small local producers. 

Never empty, this bar is ideal for a drink. Business music and friendly atmosphere.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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!