Bilbao travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat pintxos in Bilbao, Biscay, Basque Country, Spain.
Bilbao nightlife begins with txikiteo: an early-evening round of small drinks and pintxos in the Casco Viejo and Plaza Nueva, then the Pozas strip on Licenciado Poza in Indautxu, then concerts and clubs in Abando and across the river. The late-night scene runs Thursday to Saturday and most clubs open only Friday and Saturday.
Bars fill from 19:00, dinner is from 21:00, and clubs only open at midnight. Most clubs listed here are open Friday and Saturday only (Thursday for a few), with closing times between 03:00 and 06:30. Live music centres on Kafe Antzokia and Sala Bilborock. The city's main festival, Aste Nagusia, takes place in August, and a large music festival, BBK Live, usually runs in July at Kobetamendi.
At a glance
- Peak hours
- Casco Viejo txikiteo: 19:00-23:00. Pozas bars: 20:00-01:00. Clubs and concert after-parties: midnight to 06:00 on Friday and Saturday.
- Average drink
- Small beer (caña or zurito) and a glass of txakoli typically cost a few euros; pintxos are EUR 1-3 (USD 1.15-3.45) each. Club and cocktail prices are not published in the sources checked.
- Dress code
- Smart-casual in most bars and clubs; football shirts are common on match days.
- Cover charge
- Club hours and event listings change frequently, and the sources checked disagree on some hours. Confirm on the venue website or social media before travelling, especially for Fever, Back&Stage and El Balcón de la Lola.
Nightlife districts
Where the action happens after dark.
Bars & pubs
Where locals drink.
Casco Viejo txikiteo route
Traditional bar crawl through the Siete Calles and Plaza Nueva.
Known for: Bar-to-bar txikiteo through Plaza Nueva, Barrenkale, Somera and Tendería streets
Plaza Nueva, 48005 Bilbao, Spain (start point)
Licenciado Poza (Pozas) bar strip
Pedestrian-friendly bar street in Indautxu, busiest on Thursday, weekends and match days.
Known for: Busiest bar street in Bilbao, popular Thursday and weekends
Poza Lizentziatuaren Kalea, 48011 Bilbao, Spain (centre of the strip)
Diputación and Ledesma pintxo-pote route
Ensanche route linking Bar El Globo, La Viña del Ensanche and neighbouring bars.
Known for: Evening route around Diputación and Ledesma streets
Diputación Kalea, 48008 Bilbao, Spain (route centre)
TypeWine Bar
Licenciado Poza wine bar with a long by-the-glass list.
Known for: Wine bar with a large by-the-glass list and wine-paired pintxos
Poza Lizentziatuaren Kalea, 45, 48011 Bilbao, Spain
Ziripot
Licenciado Poza bar with a large terrace and a squid slider.
Known for: Large terrace and squid slider on Licenciado Poza
Poza Lizentziatuaren Kalea, Bilbao, Spain (Licenciado Poza)
La Compañía del Ron
Indautxu bar with a wide variety of pintxos.
Known for: Bar with a wide variety of pintxos
Máximo Aguirre Kalea, 23, 48011 Bilbao, Spain
Peso Neto (late opening)
Small bar reported open late in the San Francisco district.
Known for: Small bar reported open late after other bars close
San Frantzisko Kalea, 1, 48003 Bilbao, Spain
Baster (vermouth and craft beer)
Casco Viejo bar for vermouth and craft beer with tortillas and quiche.
Known for: Vermouth and craft beer bar
Posta Kalea, 22, 48005 Bilbao, Spain
Clubs
For dancing into the early hours.
Kafe Antzokia
Basque music venue and bar with live concerts and late-night sessions.
Cover: Ticket per show; check agenda
Hours: Concerts usually 21:30 or 22:00; late sessions reported Thursday to 04:30 and Friday-Sunday to 06:00 (sources conflict; check website)
Back&Stage
Riverside nightclub on Uribitarte with concerts and DJ sets.
Cover: Not published in sources checked
Hours: Thursday 00:00-05:00; Friday and Saturday 00:00-06:30; closed Monday-Wednesday and Sunday
Fever (Santana 27)
Large four-room club at Telleria 27, open Friday and Saturday from midnight.
Cover: Not published in sources checked
Hours: Friday and Saturday 00:00-06:00; closed Sunday-Thursday
Sala Bilborock
Municipal rock and concert venue near the La Merced bridge.
Cover: Ticket per event; prices vary
El Balcón de la Lola
Late-night nightclub with DJ sets, open Friday and Saturday 01:00-06:00.
Cover: Not published in sources checked
Hours: Friday and Saturday 01:00-06:00; closed Sunday-Thursday
Santuario
Night venue in the Siete Calles, open Friday and Saturday.
Cover: Not published in sources checked
Hours: Friday 19:00-03:00; Saturday 18:00-03:00; closed Sunday-Thursday
La Fuga
Uribitarte night venue open Friday and Saturday until 06:00.
Cover: Not published in sources checked
Hours: Friday 23:00-06:00; Saturday 22:00-06:00; closed Sunday-Thursday
Live entertainment
Music, theatre, and performance venues.
Items
Nightlife tips
Stay safe and have fun.
Pay at each bar when leaving; counters are honour-based in the Casco Viejo.
Carry photo ID; door staff check age.
Taxis run all night; metro closes around 23:00 on weekdays and runs longer on weekends (check metrobilbao.eus).
Fever is outside the centre; plan a taxi.
On Athletic Club match days Licenciado Poza is very crowded.
Smoking is banned inside bars; terraces are common.