Picachilla Taberna Nautikoa on Calle Peña y Goñi in San Sebastian is the Gros nautical-themed local across from the Kursaal, with 100-plus beers and televised Real Sociedad matches that run late.
Tip: Match nights run the bar at full volume until last whistle, then the room thins for a quiet pour. The terrace faces the Cubos de Moneo and Zurriola promenade.
Address: Calle Peña y Goñi 1, 20002 Donostia, San Sebastián
Convent Garden on Calle Manterola in San Sebastian is the converted 1905 to 2015 convent of the Sisters Maria Reparadoras, now a four-space late-night venue with patio, rooftop, crypt and restaurant.
Tip: The retractable patio roof opens on warm nights; the crypt stages live music and DJ sessions. Part of A Room in the City hostel; the crowd skews younger.
Bataplán Disco on Paseo de la Concha in San Sebastian is the city's defining nightclub since 1979, with seventies decor, a beachfront terrace and international DJ bookings during the Zinemaldia.
Tip: Doors Thursday 00:30 to 07:00, Friday and Saturday 01:00; closed Sunday through Wednesday. The terrace runs Easter to October; sea-side tables fill first.
Club Komplot on Calle Pedro Egaña in San Sebastian is the Reyes Catolicos area's Latin-leaning disco, programming reggaeton, salsa and bachata Friday through Sunday with a 00:00 to 07:00 door.
Tip: Open Friday to Sunday 00:00 to 07:00; closed Monday through Thursday. The room fills after 02:00 once the Reyes Catolicos crawl thins out.
DOKA Kafe Antzokia in San Sebastian is the Basque-language cafe theatre that flips to a weekend club, programming everything from fado and Angolan theatre to rock, hip hop and electronic.
Tip: The room flips between concerts, poetry, theatre and weekend DJ club; check the doka.eus calendar before walking up. Plan a cab back, the night bus is sparse.
Le Bukowski on Calle Egia in San Sebastian has been the city's underground music club since 1988, programming rock, funk, soul and electronica concerts plus DJ sessions Tuesday through Saturday.
Tip: Closed Sunday; concerts run from 21:30 most nights and the DJ floor stays open to 04:00 Friday and Saturday. Egia sits a 10 minute walk from Gros.
Dabadaba on Calle Mundaiz in San Sebastian is the Egia concert hall and club booking indie rock, electronic, hip hop and DJ-led nights for a younger Tabakalera-adjacent crowd.
Tip: Programming runs Wednesday through Saturday from 22:00; check the dabadabass.com calendar for the headliner. The room is small, ticketed gigs sell out fast.