It’s not hard to find good nightlife in Pampolan. Three streets in particular—San Nicolás, Estafeta, and Jarauta—are lined with tascas, bars, bodegas, and pubs.
The town’s most popular club is Marengo, Av. Bayona 2 (tel. 94-826-55-42; www.discotecamarengo.com), a huge nightspot where a crowd in their 20s and 30s dances the night away. Your dress must pass inspection by a team of hardened doormen before you are allowed inside. Tickets to enter cost 15€, and hours are Thursday and Friday 1:30am to 6am, Saturday 11pm to 6am.
Dating from 1888, the Art Deco Café Iruña, Plaza del Castillo 44 (tel. 94-822-20-64; www.cafeiruna.com), was a Hemingway hangout. Its outdoor terrace is popular in the summer. The winter crowd is likely to congregate around the bar, ordering combination plates and snacks in addition to drinks. During lunch, platters of hot food are served to local office workers and day laborers. The menú del día (menu of the day) is 14€. A full lunch, served daily from 1 to 3:30pm, costs 10€ to 12€. The cafe is open Monday to Thursday 8am until midnight, Friday to Sunday 9am to midnight.
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 are 3€ to 4€. It’s open Thursday to Tuesday 9am to 2am. Closed Wednesday.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
