Round table

Bars in Gipuzkoa: roots that endure

Four bars in Gipuzkoa, each with their own distinct histories and circumstances — two in San Sebastián’s Old Town and two further inland — to explore how the traditional bar is sustained and revitalised in Gipuzkoa.

El Vallés – Donostia

This historic landmark is an integral part of the Donostian bar scene and the history of pintxos in the city. Its presence adds a sense of history to the discussion.

Bar Martínez - Donostia

It's a classic pintxo bar and has played a key role in making the Old Town’s pintxo trail a global attraction. It embodies the traditional bar-tavern in its purest form — the kind that visitors recognise as 'that Donostia thing'.

Baratze Taberna, Eibar

Housed in a former mechanical workshop, Baratze Taberna captures some of Eibar's industrial character. This city is defined by its capacity for transformation and reinvention. The venue retains elements of its past to create a modern, well-curated, contemporary urban tavern that remains deeply rooted in its heritage. It offers diners a fresh perspective on the renewal of the traditional bar, transforming and modernising while preserving the identity of its origins.

Guria Taberna – Hernani
An establishment deeply rooted in everyday life in Hernani, which exemplifies the enduring role of the bar as a place for meeting and socialising. Its popularity and the loyal support of a wide clientele demonstrate how a recognisable and well-established model can continue to hold its own and remain relevant today, whilst retaining the warm, down-to-earth character of the traditional bar.