Cocktail barAnchovy and Txakoli bar€€€
Bar Txepetxa on Pescaderia in San Sebastian, since 1972, pours Txakoli alongside the vinegar-cured anchovy pintxos for which the city queues.
Signature drink: Txakoli with the anchoa a la jardinera
Food: Vinegar-cured anchovy pintxos
Tip: Two anchoas with a glass of Txakoli; closed Mondays.
Cocktail barPintxo and mushroom counter€€€
Ganbara's ground-floor counter on San Jeronimo in San Sebastian's Old Town pours Txakoli alongside the autumn setas pintxo and the spider-crab plate.
Signature drink: Txakoli with the autumn setas
Food: Mushrooms, spider crab, pintxos
Tip: October to December for peak mushroom season; the counter is busy from 13:00.
Cocktail barModern pintxo counter€€€
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.
Signature drink: Half-bottle of Rioja with the carrillera
Food: Modern Basque made-to-order pintxos
Tip: The carrillera with a Rioja red is the canonical Cuchara order. Queue early.
Cocktail barWhisky and cocktail bar€€€
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.
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.
Cocktail barNightclub€€€
Bataplan on Paseo de la Concha in San Sebastian is the city's well-known 1990s house-music nightclub, with spectacular night views over La Concha bay.
Signature drink: Cocktails over La Concha bay
Food: None
Tip: Opens 00:30 Thursday to Saturday in summer. Dress smart; the door is selective.
Cocktail barPintxo and Txakoli bar€€€
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.
Signature drink: Txakoli poured from height
Food: Modern pintxos and brochettes
Tip: Terrace fills first; the Friday and Saturday close is 02:30.