11 Things to Do in Bilbao at Night

Bilbao is a cosmopolitan tourist city where you will not be short of cultural plans or visits to make, but when night falls, this city becomes one of the liveliest capitals and with more nightlife activities.

And Bilbao has plans for all tastes, whether you enjoy relaxing on the terrace of a bar with friends and a good wine or those who prefer to go out dancing until the sun comes up. No matter the time, Bilbao never rests. Read on and I'll tell you about 10 night-time activities to make the most of your trip.

The Seven Streets of Bilbao are located in the old town, the oldest quarter. These pedestrian streets are full of bars, restaurants and shops, and are one of the main leisure areas of the Biscayan capital. As well as having a wide range of gastronomic offer, there are some essential monuments such as the Cathedral of Santiago, the Municipal Library of Bidebarrieta or the Plaza Nueva.

In this area you will find some of the most typical bars in Bilbao, making it perfect for a pintxo route, which are small bite-sized tapas served as an aperitif and generally accompanied by small glasses of wine. The custom is to get together with friends and make a tour of different bars.

Some of the best rated pintxo bars are: Gure Toki and Sorginzulo. However, if you are really looking to try the typical cuisine of the area without missing out on anything, the best thing to do is to book a pintxos tour of Bilbao, where you will be taken on a route around the best quality bars and restaurants in the city where, as well as a magnificent meal, you will be offered the best wines and craft beers in the area.

Although the heart of the party and nightlife in Bilbao is the Casco Viejo, another of the areas with the most atmosphere when night falls is the Indautxu neighbourhood, which belongs to the district of Abando.

This area has become one of the most important in the city on a cultural, social and economic level, which has also made it one of the places with the most atmosphere and plans to do. The liveliest part is Calle Licenciado Poza, where you can find an endless number of places to have a beer or try some pintxos.

The Indautxu neighbourhood is also home to some of the most exclusive and expensive nightclubs in Bilbao. So, if you are looking for a quieter and more elegant venue than those in the Casco Viejo, this could be a good option. It will also give you the chance to get to know a new area of the city. And if you want to explore this and other areas of the city, don't hesitate to book a tour of Bilbao that will guide you through the most emblematic places.

One of my favourite plans is to book a private guided tour of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao at sunset and then stroll around the surrounding area until night falls.

The Guggenheim is really impressive and a must-see on your trip to Bilbao. Moreover, with this proposal you will enjoy the exclusive service of a professional guide who, throughout the tour, will guide you and show you all the most outstanding works and artists of the museum, such as, for example:

• Shadows of Warhol, which is made up of no more and no less than more than a hundred canvases.
• City wall by Miquel Navarro, one of the most popular artists of contemporary sculpture.
• Villa Borghese by Kooning, inspired by a landscape of Rome.

Plus, you'll catch up on all the anecdotes and stories during this approximately 2-hour tour.

Although it is true that during the day it is easier to contemplate the city in detail from the heights, going up to a viewpoint at night also has its charm, as you can admire Bilbao illuminated in all its splendour.

That is why the next plan I am going to suggest is that you go up to the Artxanda area and marvel at the impressive views of the city, either at night or, if you prefer, a little earlier to see the sunset. Although it is possible to go up on foot, I recommend that you take the Artxanda funicular railway to get to the top, which is more comfortable and you can also enjoy the views on the way.

Another alternative would be to book a guided tour on the Artxanda funicular railway to the viewpoint, where an expert will accompany you while telling you about the history of the city, as well as some very interesting tidbits. Once down, the visit continues with a tour of the city's Old Town.

The Arriaga Theatre is located in Bilbao's Old Town and was built in the 19th century by the architect Joaquín Rucoba. This theatre is housed in a beautiful neo-baroque building that its creator designed inspired by the Paris Opera House. As well as contemplating its splendid façade, I invite you to check out its programme and, if you have the chance, come and enjoy one of its shows.

Inside you will find different plays, as well as classical music concerts, ballet, monologues and many other shows. Although it is possible to buy tickets at the theatre box office, I recommend that you check the programme in advance and buy your ticket online, otherwise you run the risk of tickets being sold out.

Once the play is over, you can go for dinner at one of the many restaurants in the Old Town and take a pleasant evening stroll.

The Muelle Marzana is a large pedestrian area located in front of the Old Town, with unbeatable views of the estuary and which in recent years has become one of the most modern and youthful areas in the centre of Bilbao.

This pier, named after an old tower house located next to the San Antón Bridge, is now home to a large number of bars, restaurants and bars with terraces where you can enjoy a cocktail or a craft beer while watching the magnificent cityscape around you. Sometimes there are even live band or DJ concerts. In addition to the wide gastronomic offer that this place has to offer, it is located opposite the Mercado de la Ribera, where there are also several options to have a bite to eat or enjoy a glass of wine.

I suggest you go to Muelle Marzana at sunset to watch the sunset and the beautiful reflection of the city lights on the Bilbao estuary. Afterwards, you can have a cocktail on one of its terraces and dine in one of its fantastic restaurants. And in case you want to treat yourself, I recommend Restaurante Mina, a Michelin-starred gastronomic space that leaves no one indifferent.

If you travel to Bilbao in summer or during the spring months, you can attend a very special party. Every Saturday during this time of year, the Bilboats boat company holds original parties on board its boats.

The trip lasts approximately 75 minutes and the boat has a bar service, music and, if required, catering. The starting and finishing point of the trip is at the pier in Plaza Pío Baroja. Once on board, while you dance and have a drink, you will cross the calm Bilbao Estuary and you will be able to contemplate the wonderful architecture of the city and some of its most emblematic buildings, such as the famous Guggenheim Museum.

There is also the possibility of organising celebrations on board, such as stag or hen parties or birthdays, which you can arrange with the company if you would like any extra services.

Practical information

• Where it is held: on the Bilbao estuary. The boats leave from the pier in Plaza Pío Baroja square.
• When: in March, departures take place on Saturdays at 6pm, while from April to September, departures are on Saturdays at 6.30pm and 8pm.
• Price: entrance to the festival is available from €15.

Bilborock is located in the centre of Bilbao. More specifically in the Muelle de la Merced. This multifunctional space hosts plays, concerts, film nights and other events, and can seat up to 300 people seated and 500 standing.

But this lively venue has a special feature that makes it very special, and that is that it is located in a 17th century church. Located next to the Casco Viejo, this old religious temple has been used for other purposes since the late 90s, when after being acquired by the city council, it became a public property destined to promote cultural activities for young people.

During the 25 years it has been active, a large number of national and international artists have performed here, such as Robbie Williams, Justin Timberlake, MClan or Fito Cabrales. Nowadays you can often see shows inside, so if you're planning a trip to Bilbao I recommend you check its programme and if you're lucky, you'll have the chance to see a show in one of the most original venues in the world.

As you can see, Bilbao has a lot to see and do and one of my favourite evening plans is to go out for a beer in one of the many bars and pubs in the city.

Mazarredo

The Alameda de Mazarredo is one of the liveliest streets in the capital of Biscay and both in and around it there are numerous bars and pubs of all kinds and for all tastes, making it a perfect place if you want to get to know Bilbao's nightlife.

The Mistyk Pub

The Pub Café Teatro Mistyk is located in Ercilla Street, on the corner of Alameda de Mazarredo. This pub is one of the best known in the area and depending on the time of day, you will find a very different atmosphere.

During the day, Pub Mistyk serves as a café where you can sit quietly and have a drink, a beer or, if you prefer, a hot drink. However, at night this place comes alive and transforms into a lively pub where you can dance the night away.

El Galeón Pub

The Galeón pub in Bilbao is also located in Alameda de Mazarredo and has a seafaring atmosphere. This pub is usually quite busy, as the entrance is free, there is music for all tastes and it is open every day of the week. So if you're in the area and feel like partying, this is a safe bet.

Kafe Antzokia

On the outskirts of Mazarredo, very close to the Jardines de Albia, you will find one of Bilbao's nightlife reference points, the Kafe Antzokia.

This classic of Bilbao's nightlife often offers live music and sometimes you can even listen to the greatest hits of Basque music. This eclectic venue also functions as a restaurant during the day.

The Muelle de Ripa is becoming, together with the surrounding streets, the new fashionable area of the city of Bilbao. Over the last few years, traditional shops have begun to coexist with new clothes shops, trendy restaurants, tattoo and piercing parlours and many other establishments.

Located on one side of the estuary, this place enjoys impressive views of the Arriaga Theatre and the Bilbao City Hall. The best known bar in the ripa area is the Kubrick, a multi-purpose venue that can be used as a restaurant, cocktail bar, cabaret or entertainment venue.

This establishment is located on Calle Villarías and as well as having an atmosphere all day long, it can boast of having a terrace overlooking the Ría which is almost always very lively and full of young people.

Sala Sonora, like other of Bilbao's most outstanding discotheques, is located on the outskirts a few kilometres from the capital. In an industrial estate next to the estuary, this club transports you to an underground world where electronic music is the protagonist.

This party club is also a multi-space venue divided into three rooms with different atmospheres and musical styles, and its priority is to offer top quality sound. The first, room 808, is dedicated to the rock and pop classics of the 80s, 90s and 2000s. The second room, room 909, is the main room in this venue, where you can listen to electronic music, especially techno and house.

The third and last room is the BAR, where the musical style is more eclectic. Sala Sonora sometimes hosts concerts and theme parties where you can listen to all kinds of music genres such as reggae, commercial music or even reggaeton. So, if you're passing through Bilbao, be sure to check out their events if you want to experience one of the most emblematic venues in the city.