Bilbao Nightlife

At night the quiet old town reveal the soul of the basque people. Some streets have rows and rows of clubs for all their length, and people exit from one just to enter in the one beside having a great fun... You can find every kind of club, music and drinks in this small area, and the local people will let you feel as in your hometown (except for the language :D).
The Bilbao night is really an experience! The essence of FUN!!!

Dress Code: Dresses don't matter...just your spirit, have fun!

This stylish bar also doubles as an art gallery, with different panitings on the wall every time you go in.

With space to sit down, this is a pleasant, relaxing escape from some of the more hectic bars around.

Good pintxos and cafe during the day - and music and going-out places at night.

During the Aste Nagusia, they organize lots of activities - gastronomical, cultural and of course, party during the whole night! - the circular square (Plaza Biribila) is almost closed to traffic because of the crowd of people dancing outside Cafe La Granja.

This cafe belongs to a group of 3 traditional cafes in Bilbao:
Cafe Iruna - at Jardines de Albia, beautifully decorated inside with Andalusian-style tiles.
Cafe La Granja - at Plaza Circular
Cafe Boulevard - in El Arenal, oppsite Arriaga theater.

Dress Code: Informal

Located conveniently next door to each other, Twiggys and Alambique offer complimentary services. Eclectic dýcor, music, and, as the official guide says, ýcharming barmaidsý, Twiggys (Alameda Urquijo 35) challenges your senses. Alambique (Alameda Urquijo 37) is quieter, more relaxing, often giving you the opportunity to sit down and gossip.

THIS SHOULD THEN GIVE YOU THE ENERGY TO TACKLE GALLERIAS URQUIJO, AN ARCADE OF BARS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF TWIGGYS. THE BARS RANGE FROM THE ODD TO THE DERANGED (WILD WEST SALONS AND GIANT FRIESIAN COWS?) BUT THE PARTYING GOES ON TO 4AM, AND IS PARTICULARLY CONVENIENT ON THE NOT INFREQUENT NIGHTS OF RAIN IN BILBAO.

Dress Code: The wierder the better, but check shirts always fit in

It is something different, and not really spanish. But it is still fun to go and dance the salsa with some nice spanish ladies ;-)

Dress Code: We got in dressed just casual, it is just a bar, but maybe on saturdays you might have to be bit more dressed up.

Dinner is taken later in the evening, although my friends tell me not so late as it used to be. Begin with tapas and drinks, going from café to café about 6pm. Wait until at least 8pm or later to think about dinner! Don't worry, the tapas will hold you over...

If you want to go dancing afterwards try the Cotton Club on Calle Gregorio de la Revilla.
House music--Congreso on Barrencalle Barrena
Non-stop---QU&DO on Ibañez de Bilbao
Karaoke--Cocos-Calle Uhagón

This small bar is the hang-out of the English Speaking Expats in Bilbao. (Wednesday - Friday in particular)

The Wicklow serves the best (and the most per square metre) Guinness in Bilbao.

Dress Code: No dress code

Most of my exploration of Bilbao's nightlife took place in the Casco Viejo, as I was too knackered to venture much further out after the days wanderings. It's a very pleasant, relaxed area with a few terrace cafes and restaurants in the Plaza Nueva, and a good choice of bars and eateries in the surrounding streets. Be sure to visit one of the city's old-time cafes - I liked the Cafe Boulevard, accross the road from the Teatro Arraiga.