This post is a service to all humanity. As most of my blogposts are.

Cocktails have never been San Sebastián’s forte. And why should they, when you have so many amazing autochthonous drinks to choose from—txakoli, gin tonic, cider, and the list goes on. However, when one lives in San Sebastián, one gets a bit desperate sometimes for a good fancy cocktail. And by ONE I mean yours truly.

Negroni is one of my favorite cocktails. Made up of my hands-down favorite alcohols— vermouth, mixed in equal parts with gin and Campari—it is perfect for an aperitif, a digestif, or a medicinal treat. Seriously! (this is not medical advice btw).

If you know me, you know I steer away from top ten type lists, simply because these things are always changing and because I haven’t figured out the best way to get them out to you. However, for this niche topic, I’m going to go ahead and put my well-researched list out there.

Where to drink a negroni in San Sebastian

This list is in no particular order. I will try to give a little personal background for each spot, so you know what negroni moment each bar is apt for.

Hotel Maria Cristina

This is my go-to spot. Love to sip a negroni here when I have a ton of work to do and need a little motivation to keep on going. This is a great spot to work, or to stop before a show or dinner if you’re looking fancy. The consulting mixologist on the bar is one of Spain’s best, Javier de las Muelas.

República Argentina K., 4
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La Gintonería

Ok, so I usually get a gin-tonic here (or a mai tai, as owner Txema previously had a tiki bar in this space and still mixes that menu), but the negroni, just like everything, is of highest quality. Amazing ice. Endless gin to choose from.

Zabaleta Kalea, 5

Gerald’s Bar

This spot has the coziest ambience in town, and I love a good lowly lit negroni at its bar. They just know how to mix one. You can order an extra-dirty version with olive juice (love!) and they won’t bat an eye.

Iparragirre K., 13
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Akelarre

The cocktail bar at this, San Sebastián’s most amazing hotel and one of its best top restaurants, is as good as it should be. And no wonder, it’s run by Patxi Troitino, one of the godfathers of Basque cocktails.

Padre Orkolaga Ibilbidea, 56
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Zenit Convento

I love the cocktails here. The awesome Santamaría family takes care of the bar and the restaurant at this hotel, and there is nothing like sipping a good cocktail under the roof of a former chapel and convent.

San Martin Kalea, 45,
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malandrino

This is one of the city’s oldest spots for Italian snacks, so they’ve always had the negroni down. Best spot for when you hanker for an Italian snack to go with your drink.

Calle de Miguel Imaz, 4
Zarautz Kalea, 2
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arraun

This spot in the old part is an all around fab cocktail bar, for when you want a night out but want to keep it high-quality and low key.

bajo, Angel Kalea, 4

Did I miss somewhere? Let me know in the comments!