Poteo (bar crawling)
This traditional form of socializing consists in meeting up with friends to
go from bar to bar enjoying a small glass of wine (poteo) accompanied by a
bite-sized food portion (pintxo). This may well be the best way to get to
know what bilbainos are about and a good way to meet the locals. Although
many bars offer pintxos, the main areas to find clusters of bars are:
San Mamés-Pozas
It is especially busy on match days (San Mamés stadium is near-by).
Most bars are located in Licenciado Poza, Rodríguez Arias and Maestro
García Rivero streets.
Metro: Indautxu
Ledesma
Ledesma and adjacent streets (Colón de Larreátegi, Ibáñez
de Bilbao) are also a good option, with some of the most authentic places
in town.
Metro: Abando (Berástegui)
Casco Viejo
The Casco Viejo area is the origin of Bilbao, and today one of its major commercial
areas. Here it is easy to find groups of “txiquiteros” (groups
of men who do the poteo with quasi-religious zeal; you will know who they
are), who may break into choral singing with a glass of wine in hand. The
highest concentration of bars is in Plaza Nueva and the adjacent Santa María,
Perro, Jardines and Nueva streets.
Metro: Casco Viejo
Tram: Arriaga
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