Gay Guide

Listing and event details can change quickly. Please verify with the venue directly before visiting. Lavender Atlas is not responsible for third-party accuracy.

Bilbao's gay scene centers on the Casco Viejo, the old town's "seven streets," with bars spilling onto Barrenkale in the evenings. Bizitza is a popular first stop for drinks, with drag and DJs later at Pub Badulake. Bilbao Pride fills the city center each June, founded in 2009 and now drawing more than 100,000 people, one of the biggest Pride events in northern Spain. Spain has recognized same-sex marriage since 2005, and the Basque capital pairs its Guggenheim-era modern reputation with an old-town nightlife scene that runs late.

Modesto

Hours Thursday 19:00 – 01:00; Friday 18:00 – 03:00; Saturday 17:00 – 03:00

LGBT friendly music bar with small dancefloor and street terrace. Mixed clientele.

Address Barrenkale Kalea 14 , Bilbao 48005

Instagram Map

Paquita la de Barrenka

Spacious LGBTQ-oriented music and dance bar. Can get very crowded at night at the weekend.

Address Barrenkale Kalea 11 , Bilbao 48005

Instagram Map

Pavoneo

Hours Thursday 20:00 – 02:30; Friday, Saturday 20:00 – 04:00; Sunday 18:00 – 24:00

Small, bears-friendly gay music bar in der Barrenkale street.

Address Barrenkale Kalea 13 , Bilbao 48005

Instagram Map

Bizitza

Hours Monday-Thursday 14:30 – 01:00; Friday, Saturday 14:00 – 02:30; Sunday 15:00 – 01:00

LGBTQ-friendly cafe-bar with small street terrace in one of the old town alleys.

Address Dorre Kalea 1 (Calle de la Torre) , Bilbao 48005

Phone +34 944 16 58 82

Map

Manolita La Primera

Hours Friday, Saturday 20:00 – 03:00

LGBT-friendly music and dance bar in the Old Town of Bilbao.

Address Barrenkale Kalea 4 , Bilbao 48005

Map

Pepe por Dios

Hours Friday 17:00 – 03:00; Saturday 17:00 – 03:00

LGBT friendly music bar in Bilbao's Old Town.

Address Barrenkale Kalea 19 , Bilbao 48005

Phone +34 661 77 31 00

Website Map

Sauna Ego

Hours Thursday 16:00 – 23:00; Friday 16:00 – 23:00; Saturday 16:00 – 24:00; Sunday 16:00 – 23:00

Gay sauna in the basement ("Planta -1") of the long building block "Centro Comercial Zabalburu". Quite busy on Sunday afternoons. Mixed ages. Admission: ≈ 20 €

Address Nicolás Alcorta Kalea 3 (Calle Nicolás Alcorta) , Bilbao 48003

Phone +34 944 70 07 77

Website Map

Pub Key

Hours Friday, Saturday 22:00 – 03:00/04:00

Drag show bar in the Uribarri quarter of Bilbao. Mixed clientele. Minimum consumption: ≈ 6 €

Address Kristo Kalea 13 (Calle del Cristo) , Bilbao 48007

Phone +34 669 00 73 96

Map

Badulake

Hours Friday 23:00 – 06:00; Saturday 23:00/24:00 – 06:00

LGBTQ-oriented disco bar with small stage for shows. Music: Commercial and Spanish Pop. Mixed ages. Admission: ≈ 10 €, incl. 1 drink

Address Hernani Kalea 10 (Calle Hernani) , Bilbao 48003

Map

Sauna Element

Hours Monday-Friday 15:00 – 21:00; Saturday 15:00 – 20:00; Sunday 15:00/16:00 – 22:00

Gay sauna with bar, whirlpool and cabins. Mainly mature clientele. Admission: ≈ 17-20 €

Address Costa Kalea 8-10 (Calle Costa) , Bilbao 48010

Phone +34 944 05 23 03

Website Map

Axel Hotel Bilbao

An adults-only gay hotel in Bilbao's waterfront area, part of the Axel Hotels chain. Located on the Muelle de la Merced near the Old Town, it caters to an LGBTQ+ clientele with comfortable rooms and social common areas.

Address Mesedeetako Kaia 3 (Muelle de la Merced) , Bilbao 48003

Phone +34 944 77 90 93

Website Map

Bilbao Pride

The annual LGBTQ+ Pride event for Bilbao and the wider Basque province, held on the Arenal esplanade in the city centre. Bilbao Bizkaia Pride typically takes place in late June with a parade, live music, and community events.

Address Areatzako Pasealekua, 2, Ibaiondo, 48005 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain

Website Map