In a city famous for bulls running through its streets, there's something consistent about the local habit of wandering through the city, particularly within the historic casco antiguo. Three streets in particular -- Calle San Nicolás, Calle Estafeta, and Calle de Jarauta -- are lined with tascas, bars, bodegas, and pubs. Lots of them don't have signs, so wander in and out of whichever strikes your fancy.
The town's most popular club is Marengo, Av. Bayona 2 (tel. 94-826-55-42), a huge nightspot where a crowd in their 20s and 30s dances the night away to recorded music. Your dress code must pass inspection by a team of hardened doormen before you are allowed inside. Tickets to enter cost 15€ ($20), and hours are Thursday to Saturday 11pm to 6am.
Looking for a dance club to let off some late-night steam? Head for Pamplona's most popular disco, Reverendos, Monasterio de Velate 5 (tel. 94-826-15-93), where 20- and 30-somethings dance, flirt, and drink till all hours. The cover charge is 5€ ($6.50), which includes the price of a drink.
Dating from 1888, the Art Deco Café Iruña, Plaza del Castillo 44 (tel. 94-822-20-64), has an outdoor terrace that's popular in summer. The winter crowd is likely to congregate around the bar, ordering combination plates and snacks in addition to drinks. The place thrives as a cafe/bar daily from 9am to 9:30pm, but it becomes more of a restaurant during the lunch hour. Platters of hot food are served to local office workers and day laborers. The menú del día is 12€ ($16). A full lunch, served daily from 1 to 3:30pm, costs 9€ to 12€ ($12-$16). Beer goes for 1.70€ ($2.20) at the bar, slightly more at a table.
Cafetería El Molino, Bayona 13 (tel. 94-825-10-90), centrally located in the commercial Barrio San Juan, doubles as a popular tapas bar. Late in the evening, the action really heats up. The huge assortment of tapas includes fried shrimp, squid, anchovies, fish croquettes, and Russian salad. Most tapas don't exceed 1.70€ ($2.20), although some of the more expensive ones go for 2.50€ ($3.25). It's open Monday to Saturday (except Wed) 8am to 2am, and Sunday from 10am to midnight.
