Eiger Edaritegia on Calle General Jauregi in San Sebastian is the Old Town rock-and-roll bar lined with vintage gig posters and old cassettes, programming live electric-guitar nights and DJ sets.
Tip: Small room, walk-in only; the bar fills with locals once the tourist crawl thins. Cash flows fastest for the back-bar queue; drinks are unpretentious.
Address: Calle General Jauregi 6, 20003 Donostia, San Sebastián
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 views of La Concha bay and the harbour.
Tip: Terrace open daily 10:00 to 24:00 year-round; cocktail-and-snack service from Ander Gonzalez's La Jarana team runs Easter to October weekends only.
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 club with direct La Concha views.
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.
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 and rotating local live music.
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 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 views of La Concha bay and the harbour.
Tip: Terrace open daily 10:00 to 24:00 year-round; cocktail-and-snack service from Ander Gonzalez's La Jarana team runs Easter to October weekends only.
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 club with direct La Concha views.
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 on Monte Igueldo in San Sebastian is the open-air bar of Pedro Subijana's three-Michelin-starred Akelarre, with cocktails by Patxi Troitino across six stone terraces over the Bay of Biscay.
Tip: Snacks served 12:00 to 22:00; cocktail programme runs 16:00 to nightfall, no terrace reservations. Drive up Monte Igueldo or cab from Antiguo.
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 and rotating local live music.
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 on Calle San Bartolome in San Sebastian is Chef Paulo Airaudo's 2021 speakeasy off Amelia, with bartender Marco Ferreri behind a discreet gold-metal door reached by WhatsApp code.
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 on Calle San Bartolome in San Sebastian is a 1920s Chicago-style speakeasy one block from La Concha, entry by emailed access code with a craft cocktail and small-bites carte.
Tip: Write ahead through alkimiacocktailbar.com for the access code and your arrival slot. Closed Monday and Tuesday; weekends fill quickly.