San Sebastian is one of the most beautiful and attractive cities in the north of Spain, thanks to its excellent gastronomy, architecture, and coasts, ands above all for its incredible beach, Playa de la Concha. For all these reasons and more, San Sebastian is definitely worth a visit and although it is more famous for being a bourgeoisie city, there are numerous bars and pubs lining their narrow streets that make it an ideal place for enjoying the very lively night life there.
Night life in San Sebastian
Akerbeltz
Situated on Donosti Port, right in the old part of the city, on 10 Calle Mari Kalea to be more precise, is the bar with the Basque name Akerbeltz which has a certain mystical element to it thanks to its location, style, and name. The name comes from the Billy goat that was worshipped by witches in Basque mythology. You have to go down some narrow stairs until you to get to a kind of cave that will take you back to the magical world of the witches, but of course without the bad atmosphere. There’s always good music playing in the Akerbeltz, which is ideal for having a few beers, drinks, or cocktails with friends whilst you chat peacefully away without the disturbance of busier bars. In winter it’s like sheltering in a cave, and in summer you can dance freely and enjoy the Donosti fresh air in the parties that take place outside the bar in the moonlight.
Galeria Altxerri
One of the most important events in San Sebastian aside from the legendary International Film Festival, is their Autumn Jazz Festival which is a reflection of the jazz tradition that reigns in the Donosti Capital. One of the symbolic bars of this tradition is the Galeria Altxerri situated on 2 calle Regente, which as the name indicates is a gallery as well as a jazz bar. And, how? Well, the ground floor is dedicated to the most avant-garde art in the gallery and further inside the bar you will find a narrow staircase that leads you to an authentic world of jazz. This is a bar with stone walls and where jazz reigns all throughout. It has the perfect acoustics for diners and many famous figures from the world of jazz such as Marcia María, Iñaki Salvador, Didier Conchon, Mark Turner, and many more have passed through there. In this bar you can also enjoy jazz and blues jam sessions right from the first day, and watch the most spontaneous and daring musicians show their worth before a demanding but appreciative public. A definite stop-off in San Sebastian to discover the typical Donosti personality in greater depth.
Etxejakte Jazz Club
One of the most legendary clubs in San Sebastian is the Etxejakte Jazz Club, situated right in the centre of calle Mari Kalea (No. 11), comprising two floors with two completely different atmospheres as well as a more flexible timetable than the rest of the bars in the city, which makes it even more attractive, if possible. Thus, on the top floor you will find a more peaceful atmosphere perfect for a chat with jazz music at a respectable volume. On the other hand, the ground floor which is open at night offers the Donosti young crowd music from the best DJs in the city such as Araña, and Javi Pez, thus generating a quality and lively dance mood at no cost as entrance to the bar is free. The Etxejakte is a bar with all kinds of music and styles perfect for enjoying a few quality drinks at the beginning of the evening and then going back if you so choose to dance to the beat of the music DJ until the early hours of the morning without having to pay an entrance fee or exorbitant prices for drinks.
Claudia – EMarketing Team
