Nightlife Bilbao: the nights of Bilbao reflect the warm soul of its inhabitants. With a lively and lively nightlife, a rich and varied offer of night clubs, from traditional pintxos bars to trendy discos, here are all the options to spend a night of fun in the famous Basque city.
Bilbao nightlife
Located in the Basque Country, the northern region of Spain, the energetic and dynamic Bilbao transmits all the effervescence and vivacity of its party people who pour into the streets and neighborhoods of the city during the weekend. Bilbao is a city that intrigues its visitors thanks to its architecture and tasty gastronomy, but is able to entertain its guests even after sunrise with its lively nightlife .
Having fun in Bilbao is a must: the nightlife in Bilbao is quite lively . From late afternoon until late at night, you will find dozens of discos and nightclubs where you can spend a night of partying and fun. Discos, bars and pubs are scattered throughout the historic centre , and thanks to the vast choice, you can find the place that best suits your tastes.
Bilbao's nightlife begins at cocktail hour and ends only at the first light of dawn. For an aperitif, head to the traditional "pintxos bars" where you can taste the local tapas, consisting of small bruschettas garnished with the most diverse dishes: from cheese to fish to olives. The typical Bilbao drink made from citron, the Sagardotegi, is also served here.
Bilbao neighborhoods and nightlife
The main areas to go out at night in Bilbao are Casco Viejo, Indautxu and Mazarredo.
The most touristic and lively neighborhood is certainly Casco Viejo , pervaded by a picturesque atmosphere and dotted with clubs, small bars and pubs where you can spend a night of partying. This is the perfect area for a traditional Basque aperitif, thanks to the presence of pintxos, beer and wine galore. Furthermore, there are tons of venues where you can listen to live music of all kinds of music, from rock to commercial hits.
The nightlife of Bilbao is mainly concentrated along Calle Ledesma, one of the main streets of the historic center, which boasts numerous bars and clubs where you can listen to the BRR , the Basque Radical Rock, a musical movement born in the 80s, which is still popular today and fascinates by its particularity and folklore.
Also in the streets around Plaza Nueva you can find many bars offering pintox-based snacks accompanied by wine or beer, frequented above all by the younger ones.
The Indautxu , on the other hand, has some more expensive nightclubs but with a more elegant and quiet environment than the bars in central Bilbao. The liveliest area is located along Calle Licenciado Poza.
The best nightclubs in Bilbao are located in the Mazarredo . All the young people flock here to dance when the other bars and clubs in the city shut down.
Night life in Bilbao is not just clubs and bars. Classical music aficionados can visit the historic Teatro Arriaga , on the banks of the Río Nervión, which offers classical music concerts, ballets and even zarzuelas (comic operas). Or in the Palace of Congresses and Music, Euskalduna , you can follow the classical music concerts of the local symphony orchestra.
Festivals and events in Bilbao
There are numerous cultural events and popular festivals that take place in the city and add to the sizzling nightlife of Bilbao . If you happen to be here during the last week of August, don't miss Semana Grande , a popular festival in honor of Our Lady of Begoña. The festivities last for nine days and animate the city with dances, songs, parades, shows and concerts of traditional Basque music. Also, this fiesta is the best opportunity to dive into the local gastronomy, as there are stalls scattered almost everywhere, offering traditional Basque and Spanish food.
Another unmissable event is Bilbao's open-air music festival, BBK Live , which is one of the must-see events of the Spanish summer of music.
Clubs and discos in Bilbao
Fever Club
(Polígono Industrial Santa Ana, Telleria Kalea, 27, Bilbao) Open Friday and Saturday from 24.00 to 6.00, Sunday from 24.00 to 5.00.
The Fever Club is one of the most famous clubs in Bilbao and houses four rooms, each with a different musical genre, from techno to R'n'B, up to folk, pop and rock music. It has state of the art audio equipment and very often hosts live music performances. Here you can enjoy the music of the best DJs and artists on the international scene.
Sala Moma
(Rodríguez Arias Kalea, 66, Bilbao) Moma is a recently opened nightclub in Bilbao that offers luxurious nights and maximum entertainment. It is an exclusive club where you can attend performances by high-level artists and DJs. In addition, there are often live concerts with nationally and internationally known bands. The club is frequented by a sophisticated public who want to spend a fun night in a select environment and sometimes there are also parties for university and Erasmus students.
Cotton Club
(Gregorio de la Revilla Zumarkalea, 25, Bilbao) Open Tuesday and Wednesday 8.30pm to 3am, Thursday 8.30pm to 5am, Friday and Saturday 8.30pm to 6.30am.
Historic nightclub in Bilbao, Cotton Club organizes concerts with live jazz and blues music, as well as evenings with DJs playing 80s and 90s music. The place is classy, furnished with glittering walls, decorated with framed records on them. A great choice if you like to dance and also listen to some good live music in Bilbao.
Sala Marquee
(Calle del General Concha, 9, Bilbao) Open from Thursday to Sunday from 0.30 to 6.00.
Marquee is one of the most famous nightclubs in Bilbao , the music focuses on commercial rhythms and is frequented by a young audience between 18 and 30 years old. It has three VIP spaces with private bathrooms and bars. If you want to have a good drink in a place with atmosphere, music and beautiful girls, this is the right place.
Sala Sonora
(Ribera de Axpe Etorbidea, 27, Bilbao) Located near the Astrabudua metro station, Sonora is a club designed so that sound becomes a unique experience. It offers 3 different differentiated environments with a different musical offer: pop-rock music and electronic music from the 80s, 90s and 2000s. They also organize reggae parties, metal and other musical styles.
Back&Stage
(Kalea, Uribitarte Pasealekua, 8, Bilbao) Open Thursday from 24.00 to 5.00, Friday and Saturday from 0.00 to 6.30.
This nightclub consists of two rooms, Backroom and Stage Live, and is one of the best nightclubs in Bilbao . The first room offers commercial music and radio hits, while in the second you can enjoy the best concerts, monologues and DJ sessions.
Kafè Antzokia
(Done Bikendi Kalea, 2, Bilbao) Proclaimed as a Basque cultural centre, Kafe Antzokia is one of the main nightclubs in Bilbao . Consisting of a restaurant, several bars, a concert stage and a space for cultural events, this place offers a little bit of everything. Located in a former cinema, Kafe Antozkia still resembles an old theater and often hosts international artists. The place is primarily a live concert hall but also turns into a club on the weekends, with hip and commercial music.
Rock Star
(Don Diego López Haroko Kale Nagusia, Bilbao) Open Friday 11.30pm to 4.30am, Saturday 7pm to 6am, Sunday 7pm to 11.30pm.
Disco located in the center of Bilbao that organizes themed parties every weekend, with lots of fun. For example, in the summer there are Caribbean parties, or evenings with 70s and 80s music that will surely make you dance. The club also organizes concerts by national and international artists.
Budha Bilbao
(Urkixo Zumarkalea, 88, Bilbao) Open Thursday from 24.00 to 4.30, Friday and Saturday from 24.00 to 6.00.
Located in the center of Bilbao, Budha is a trendy nightclub , characterized by a good atmosphere, good drinks and good music. With a modern and avant-garde style, the club is often very crowded and offers all the latest musical hits of the moment.
DaVinci
(Arbolantxa Kalea, 2, Bilbao) Open Thursday to Saturday from 11pm to 6am.
A very spacious disco frequented by the youngest. After midnight, the place gets noticeably crowded.
Azkena
(Ibañez de Bilbao Kalea, 26, Bilbao) Open on Tuesdays from 20.00 to 1.00, Thursdays from 20.00 to 4.00, Fridays and Saturdays from 20.00 to 6.00.
One of the most popular bars and live music venues in Bilbao , Azkena caters to an alternative crowd with indie, rock, country and folk sounds. Music fans can marvel at the guitars lining the walls, signed by music moguls from around the world. This is the perfect place to party on the weekends, particularly if you like to be out until the wee hours of the morning.
Galeon Bilbao
(Mazarredo Zumarkalea, 25, Bilbao) Open every day from 16.00 to 6.00.
One of the reference nightclubs in the Mazarredo area, Galeon is a trendy and always well-attended disco.
Shake
(Ibáñez de Bilbao Kalea, 2, Bilbao) Open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 11pm to 6am.
Another club in Bilbao that organizes live music concerts.
Kremlin Aretoa
(Maiatzaren Biko Kalea, 18, Bilbao) Open Thursday from 24.00 to 4.30, Friday and Saturday from 24.00 to 6.00.
Mainly clubs with Rock and Roll music, but also a multipurpose room that organizes theatrical performances, jazz music and DJ evenings.
Bilborock
(Mesedeetako Kaia, 1, Bilbao) Located inside a converted church, Bilborock is an alternative place to attend concerts and live music performances, especially excellent rock music.
Sala BBK
(Don Diego López Haroko Kale Nagusia, 19-21, Bilbao) Open Monday to Saturday from 11.00 to 21.00.
Avant-garde multifunctional center dedicated to art and music, the BBK disco offers jazz concerts, as well as blues and rock evenings. Bilbao BBK Live takes place here every year in July , a musical event that brings together international musicians and singers.
Bilbaina Jazz Club
(Campo de Volantín Pasealekua, 22, Bilbao) Open since the 1990s, Bilbaina Jazz Club is a regular stop for all jazz music lovers, with regular performances by local and internationally renowned artists.
The bars and pubs of Bilbao
Café Bar Bilbao
(Plaza Nueva, 6, Bilbao) Open Monday to Friday 7am to 11pm, Saturday 8.30am to 11.30pm, Sunday 8.30am to 3pm.
Located in Plaza Nueva in the heart of Casco Viejo, Café Bar is one of the oldest bars in Bilbao . The traditional interior decoration gives a warm tone to the atmosphere, which is made even more welcoming by the friendliness of the staff. The first thing you'll notice when you enter this bar is the large selection of pintxos, which completely cover the bar in tantalizing temptation. Many locals meet here for a drink while munching on these appetizers, the Basque equivalent of Spanish tapas.
Pub K2
(Erronda Kalea, 13, Bilbao) Open Monday to Thursday 9am to 2am, Friday 9am to 4am, Saturday 11am to 4am, Sunday 12pm to 11pm.
One of Bilbao's most popular bars , K2 is an unassuming tunnel-shaped pub frequented by a young, studious crowd, particularly on weekends when it stays open late into the night. There are pintxos, but most people prefer to gather outside chatting over pints and glasses of local wine.
Twiggy
(Urkixo Zumarkalea, 37, Bilbao) Open Monday and Tuesday 10am to 3am, Wednesday 10am to 12pm, Thursday 10am to 1am, Friday 10am to 2.30am, Saturday 1pm to 2.30am, Sunday 4pm to 11pm.
This pub is characterized by a kitsch style reminiscent of the 60s. A fun place, a bit hippy and psychedelic, with good pop music in the background.
La Terraza del Yandiola
(Edifice Alhóndiga Bilbao, Plaza Arriquibar 4, Bilbao) Open Monday to Thursday from 14.30 to 23.00, Friday to Sunday from 13.00 to 24.00.
Start the night at this sophisticated rooftop bar in Bilbao, offering world-class cocktails and stunning city views from the third floor, all accompanied by chillout music. Attracts a well dressed crowd.
Peso Neto
(San Frantzisko Kalea, 1, Bilbao) Open Sunday to Thursday from 11.00 to 1.00, Friday and Saturday from 11.00 to 2.00.
Located on the south bank of the river, this bar is a great place for a relaxed evening. The interior is awash with mason jar chandeliers, strings of fairy lights, and curious papier-mâché heads on the walls, as well as old-school funk music. Stop by for their well-crafted cocktails, Paulaner on tap and various culinary temptations.
Bihotz Cafè
(Arechaga Kalea, 6, Bilbao) Open Sunday from 11.00 to 22.00, Tuesday to Thursday from 15.00 to 22.00, Friday from 13.00 to 23.00, Saturday from 11.00 to 23.00.
This unashamedly hipster little bar draws craft beer lovers into its cozy and eclectically decorated interior with colorful furniture and hanging bike parts, and an alternative soundtrack playing in your head. A friendly crowd and tasty snacks add to the appeal.
Residence Cafè
(Barraincúa Kalea, 1, Bilbao) Open Sunday to Thursday from 13.00 to 1.30, Friday and Saturday from 13.00 to 3.00.
A great little bar hosting acoustic jam sessions throughout the month including Irish folk, blues and classic rock. Even when there's nothing around, it's a great place to sip a good cocktail or try one of the 200 varieties of whisky.
La Korrala
(Barrenkale Kalea, 4, Bilbao) Open Thursday to Saturday from 18.00 to 2.30.
A relaxed place for a cocktail with a good looking crowd, outdoor seating and a colorful interior. A gay-friendly bar only open on weekend nights.
Kubrick Bar
(Villarías Kalea, 2, Bilbao) Open Sunday to Thursday from 10.00 to 23.30, Friday and Saturday from 10.00 to 2.00.
Film buffs and Stanley Kubrick fans in particular cannot leave Bilbao without a trip to the Kubrick Bar . As the name suggests, this bar is lovingly dedicated to the famous filmmaker: the inside is completely covered in posters of his films, and the bar is also open for breakfast and lunch for full meals and pintxos, but it really comes alive after dark.
Baobab Bar Teterìa
(Printzipe Kalea, 1, Bilbao) Open Monday from 17.00 to 23.00, Tuesday and Wednesday from 11.00 to 23.00, Thursday and Friday from 11.00 to 24.00, Saturday and Sunday from 12.00 to 1.00.
Baobab Bar Teterìa is not only the best place in Bilbao to taste teas from all over the world, but it is also the ideal place to discover a wide range of tasty natural juices and a fantastic selection of local and international beers. The cool vintage interior decor makes it a relaxing place to catch up with friends and it's also popular with locals to grab a hot drink and get cozy on cold winter nights.
Kukusoak Taberna
(Barrenkale-Barrena Kalea, 18, Bilbao) Open Monday to Thursday from 10.00 to 24.00, Friday and Saturday from 12.00 to 3.00, Sunday from 12.00 to 24.00.
Kukusoak Taberna is known for two things: killer sandwiches and a great happy hour. This restaurant and bar regularly offers great deals on local specialties and pintxos, including an exclusive selection of unique gin & tonic drinks. Be sure to attend one of their many events, including DJ sets, live concerts and karaoke nights.
Irrintzi
(Santa Maria Kalea, 8, Bilbao) Open Monday to Thursday from 9.30 to 23.00, Friday from 9.30 to 1.00, Saturday from 12.00 to 1.00, Sunday from 12.00 to 17.00.
This is a great example of a traditional Spanish bar, with a great mixed menu of tapas and pinxtos, a stellar wine selection, live music and a wonderful ambiance. You'll find every side of Bilbao at Irrintzi, from tourists to students and families to lonely locals, all drawn here for the friendly service, tasty food, drinks and relaxed atmosphere. Although this bar is located along Santa Maria, one of the busiest streets in Casco Viejo, Irrintzi is the discerning traveler's best alternative to the many tourist traps in this historic area.
Bluesville
(Telesforo Aranzadi Kalea, 1, Bilbao) Open Thursday from 19.00 to 4.00, Friday from 20.00 to 5.00, Saturday from 20.00 to 6.00.
This bar that serves excellent cocktails stands out for its medieval-style atmosphere.
Sir Winston Churchill Pub
(Sabino Arana Etorbidea, 1, Bilbao) Open Sunday to Thursday from 4.00pm to 2.30am, Friday and Saturday from 4.00pm to 4.00am.
Among the busiest pubs in the city we find the Sir Winston Churchill , an essential stop in Bilbao's nightlife. Lots of people, a rich offer of beers, cocktails and traditional Basque cuisine.