La Cuchara de San Telmo on Calle 31 de Agosto in San Sebastian, open since 1999, pairs the made-to-order pintxos with a Rioja-leaning by-the-glass list and a tight Txakoli pour.
Food program: Modern Basque made-to-order pintxos
Tip: The carrillera with a Rioja red is the canonical Cuchara order. Queue early.
Address: Calle 31 de Agosto 28, 20003 Donostia-San Sebastian, San Sebastián
Museo del Whisky on the Boulevard in San Sebastian's Old Town displays 3,400 whisky bottles across two floors, including the world's smallest, with 200 available to drink by the glass.
Signature drink: Whisky from the 3,400-bottle display
Food: Snacks
Tip: Owner Paul Bordonaba mixes cocktails at the upstairs bar; the basement is the piano room.
Bataplan on Paseo de la Concha in San Sebastian is the city's iconic 1990s house-music nightclub, with spectacular night views over La Concha bay and a terrace open in summer.
Signature drink: Cocktails over La Concha bay
Food: None
Tip: Opens 00:30 Thursday to Saturday in summer. Dress smart; the door is selective.
Atari Gastroteka on Calle Mayor in San Sebastian's Old Town pours Txakoli from height across the city's busiest standing-room terrace on the steps of the Santa Maria church.
Signature drink: Txakoli poured from height
Food: Modern pintxos and brochettes
Tip: Terrace fills first; the Friday and Saturday close is 02:30.
Bar Sport on Fermin Calbeton in San Sebastian's Old Town pours a steady cana and Txakoli with grilled foie and stuffed squid pintxos, the classic late-evening counter.
Signature drink: House Txakoli
Food: Foie a la plancha, txipiron stuffed with crab
Tip: Open daily until midnight. Counter standing only.
Mala Gissona Beer House in San Sebastian's Gros, a hundred metres from Zurriola beach, runs 12 draught taps with the house Oiartzun brewery beers plus 150 bottles and cans.
Signature drink: Mala Gissona house IPA on draught
Food: Asian-leaning bar snacks
Tip: Industrial-minimalist room; the brewery flights are the value pour. Open daily.
Basqueland Izakaia in San Sebastian's Gros is the brewery's tavern outpost, serving Basqueland's freshly brewed beer, organic wine and Asian bar food in a city-centre room.
Signature drink: Basqueland Imparable IPA on tap
Food: Asian-leaning bar snacks
Tip: Flight of four house beers is the value pour; the Asian small plates are the food pairing.
