Rooftop by Lasala Plaza ★ 4.5
€€€parte-viejaDaily 10:00-24:00, drinks service Easter to Oct, Fri to Sun 12:00-20:00
The Rooftop by Lasala Plaza in San Sebastian sits on the seventh floor of the Lasala Plaza Hotel above the Old Town port, the only elevated spot with 360.
Tip: Terrace open daily 10:00-24:00 year-round; cocktail-and-snack service from Ander Gonzalez's La Jarana team runs Easter to October weekends only.
GU San Sebastian ★ 4.4
€€€parte-viejaMon 17:00-01:00, Tue to Thu and Sun 17:00-05:00, Fri and Sat 17:00-06:30
GU San Sebastian sits on top of the 1929 Real Club Nautico on Calle Ijentea, a Jose Manuel Aizpurua rationalist landmark turned cocktail bar and late-night.
Tip: Cocktail bar from 17:00, the floor flips to a club after midnight. Book the sunset-hour seat at the bay-facing windows through gusansebastian.com.
Espazio Oteiza at Akelarre ★ 4.7
€€€€ibaetaDaily, snacks 12:00-22:00, cocktails 16:00 to nightfall
Espazio Oteiza on Monte Igueldo in San Sebastian is the open-air bar of Pedro Subijana's three-Michelin-starred Akelarre, with cocktails by Patxi Troitino.
Tip: Snacks served 12:00-22:00; cocktail programme runs 16:00 to nightfall, no terrace reservations. Drive up Monte Igueldo or cab from Antiguo.
Urgulleko Polboriña ★ 4.4
€parte-viejaDaily 12:00-22:00, spring to autumn, weather-dependent
Urgulleko Polboriña sits in the old gunpowder house on Mount Urgull above the Old Town, an open-air summer-only bar with sunset cocktails, sangria.
Tip: Open spring through autumn weather-dependent only; the 20 minute uphill walk from the Old Town starts behind the Museo San Telmo. Cash speeds the bar queue.
The Blind Pig ★ 4.7
€€€centroBy appointment, evenings
The Blind Pig on Calle San Bartolome in San Sebastian is Chef Paulo Airaudo's 2021 speakeasy off Amelia, with bartender Marco Ferreri behind a discreet.
Tip: Message the venue on WhatsApp ahead for the access code and arrival time; walk-ins occasionally accepted if space. The Negroni list is the headline pour.
Alkimia Cocktail Bar ★ 4.5
€€€centroWed to Sun 17:00-02:00, closed Mon and Tue
Alkimia Cocktail Bar on Calle San Bartolome in San Sebastian is a 1920s Chicago-style speakeasy one block from La Concha, entry by emailed access code.
Tip: Write ahead through alkimiacocktailbar.com for the access code and your arrival slot. Closed Monday and Tuesday; weekends fill quickly.