Copa (drinks) bars in Seville
Seville is a great city for going out for drinks due to the huge variety of venues in a small area. You can easily visit four or five completely different copa bars (for drinks, as opposed to tapas bars) without walking more than ten minutes between any of them.
Where are the main bar areas?
The main areas are: Alfalfa, where calle Pérez Galdós gets so packed with people on Friday and Saturday nights that cars can't drive down it; the Alameda, which has a more alternative scene, with lots of gay bars and clubs; calle Arjona on the corner with calle Adriano; and calle Betis by the river in Triana, which is wall-to-wall with venues, from quiet bars to all-night clubs. There are also outdoor bars in parks, including Maria Luisa and the Prado de San Sebastian. Clubbing in summer moves to the Isla de la Cartuja, where young people throng the seasonal outdoor venues.
At night in summer, when the temperature doesn't dip below 30 deg C even after dark, the coolest places are either by the river or up on a rooftop terrace to catch the slightest breeze. In fact, many rooftop bars stay open all year round, offering a chic atmosphere, great views, light meals, and sometimes live music too (Puravida has year-round performances). Note that some hotel roof terrace bars have policies of not allowing children, except those of guests staying in the hotel - you should call to check in advance.
Friday and Saturday nights are the big ones, with people generally venturing out at about 11 or 12pm and staying out till 5am or later.
What are the most popular drinks?
A cubano (double measure of spirit with mixer, such as a gin-tonic) will normally set you back around €8, while a small glass of beer (caña) is about €1.50-€2. Red wine (tinto) is reliable, often Rioja, and costs about €3-€5 a glass, while for dry white (blanco seco), try verdejo or rueda. Sherry - dry Fino (Tio Pepe) or Manzanilla (La Guita) - is another good option, whiile a popular summer tipple is tinto con blanca (red wine with Casera, or club soda).
For cocktail aficionados, there are also several excellent bars which are so discreet you may well miss them. The mixologists at these establishments really know their stuff, and they also offer creative non-alcoholic options, rather than simply mojitos without the rum.
NEAR THE CATHEDRAL
Hotel rooftop bars
La Terraza del EME, EME Catedral Mercer
Alemanes 27
For cathedral views, you can't beat this rooftop bar, right opposite the mighty flying buttresses of the world's biggest Gothic basilica. Prices are high, but you're paying for the privileged and exclusive view of the vast Gothic doorway and a rare aerial glimpse inside the cathedral's Patio de Naranjas.
Terraza, Doña Maria
Don Remondo 19
Best Giralda view from this corner roof terrace bar with murals of orange trees, especially at sunset when the former minaret glows golden.
Puravida, Fontecruz Seises Sevilla
Segovia 6
A fun, beach-bar atmosphere at this place by the cathedral, with exotic cocktails and inventive food menu. Shaded sofas for relaxing, and tables out on the sunny terrace. Live flamenco on Sundays.
El Mirador de Querencia
Calle Fernandez Y Gonzalez 4
One of the largest terraces in the city, this one is close to Plaza Nueva and just behind Avenida de la Constitución: as well as cathedral views, you also get a close-up of the striped dome of the iconic Edificio Adriático. Choose from high tables along the glass wall overlooking the cathedral, or comfy sofas.
La Terraza, Soho Boutique Catedral
Avenida de la Consitución 8
Lots of greenery - big leafy palms - in this small terrace with a good selection of sherries. Great view of Semana Santa processions during Holy Week.
Terraza Fulton, Palacio Alcazar
Plaza Alianza 11
One of the city's smallest terraces, this has fabulous views of the Alcazar's defensive walls and towers, and you sit next to pretty oleanders and olive trees. Unusually, t's open all day from 8am.
Gastroterraza La Fortissima, Convento La Gloria
Argote de Molina 26
Accessed down a little side alley (look for Meson Don Raimundo restaurant), this terrace offers a more complete gastronomic experience, as the name implies - think wild boar ribs and Mozarab-style stuffed Iberian pork.
Cocktail bars
Naked and Famous
Argote de Molina 21
No sign outside - look for the narrow vertical digital screen - this has high-concept décor, with metallic walls and martini glass-shaped tables, and excellent mixologists. The menu, full of creative concoctions using their own herb, fruit and spice juices and syrups, and premium liquors, has handy pointers for each cocktail - "floral, gentle" or "spicy, fruity". One of the signature cocktails is Peach Paper Plane (described as "bitter, citric"), with bourbon, Martini Fiero, amaro, peach and plum liquor. A clever trick is using ice that melts very slowly, so that you don't end up with that diluted, watery cocktail. Atmospheric at night, with stunning lighting, its street-side space is also pleasant in the afternoon, when tall windows offer a people-watching spot, with cool interior and blue velvet seats. The same owners also have Anibal Club (below).
Anibal Club
Francos 42
Hidden inside El Pintón restaurant in nearby Calle Francos (head across the patio and down the stairs at the back), this speakeasy-type bar is the latest venture (May 2024) by the owners of Naked and Famous, with the same designers (Kresta Design). The circular bar gives centre stage to the mixologists in their white lab coats, while stools around the outside invite you to sit and watch them as they ply their trade. As at Naked and Famous, they offer good non-alcoholic cocktails.
Other bars
Bar Tenderete
3B Rodrigo Caro
Small, narrow bar with a few tables at the back, popular with locals. Interesting décor of antique clocks and radios. Stays open very late - about the only place that does in this part of Santa Cruz. Often has spontaneous music - groups of friends with a guitar belting out flamenco. Good fun.
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| Outdoor Tapas Bar |
Pecata Mundi
Low-key and somewhat grungy but welcoming bar down a side street, playing 1970s and 1980s hits. Good atmosphere with all ages, especially late at night.
Alfalfa
Garlochi
Boteros 26
If you haven't experienced the fascinating and bizarre spectacle that is <Semana Santa> in Seville, this is worth a visit. Decorated with all the requisite silver artefacts, Virgin effigies and ecclestiastical velvet of this much-loved religious event, it borders on the kitsch. Order a Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ), the house cocktail, sit back and absorb the high theatre that is Spanish Catholicism.
Cubanito
Ortiz de Zuñega 5
Tiny hole-in-the-wall bar, good stopping-off point for a couple of quick chupitos (shots) 2 euros each. Try the flaming cubanito, it'll put hairs on your chest.
Berlin
Boteros 4
If you don't feel like going home when everyone else has, head for Berlin. It's open till 7am, always has a lively atmosphere and you're sure to meet some interesting characters. Beware, though - it's a bit of a cattle market.
Centre
Cerveceria International
Gamazo 3
Hundreds of beers from all over the world to choose from, including the usual stellar line-up from Belgium. Spain produces pretty decent cerveza artesanal (craft beer) too. Also does decent prawn tapas.
Merchants Ale House
Canalejas 12
Irish bar Merchants has a friendly crowd and is popular for watching major sporting events, with five TV screens (three downstairs and two upstairs). It's a popular expat hang-out (but don't let that put you off!) Good pub grub - quesadillas, loaded nachos and the like, and a decent terrace.
ALAMEDA
La Cacharrería
Calle Regina 14
An all-round café, brunch joint, and early-evening cocktail bar (look out for the early-bird deals), this popular joint with quirky décor has a few outside tables for watching the crowd on calle Regina, which links Las Setas and the centre, with calle Feria - Alameda/Macarena area.
Eureka
Alameda de Hércules 64
Large bar with contemporary décor and relaxed atmosphere, just off the Alameda. Occasional DJs play a good mix of dance and funk, or funky as it's known here. Bar staff can sometimes have a bit of an attitude.
La Señora Pop
Amor de Dios 55
Quirky decor, yummy cakes, and live music, including open mic on Mondays.
Rooftop, Corner House
Alameda 31
Relaxed roof terrace at this low-key Alameda hotel with lots of pretty climbing plants, sofas, and hip feel.
Roof, Casa Romana
Trajano 14
Lower level sofas for drinks, with DJs at the weekend, while upper tables catch all the breeze.
PARKS
Café del Casino
Avenida Maria Luisa
A period gem, this bar next to the Teatro Lopez de Vega is handy for the Parque Maria Luisa. Its faded elegance - fabulous art deco mirrors, chandeliers, pink marble pillars - make it ideal for an afternoon tea or an evening cocktail. Delightful, shady terrace with plenty of comfortable seating.
Capitania
Prado de San Sebastian
Outdoor bar in this pleasant park, at the far end from the university. Open all year round, but summer is the time to visit - get away from hot, narrow streets of city centre, relax under the trees and be lulled by the sound of water running through the Arabic-style channels.
TRIANA
Fundición
Betis 49-50
This big bar always has a lively crowd, especially at weekends. Good dance music with plenty of your favourite cheesy 80s pop classics. A good place to meet people, though not many of them will be locals!
Premier Bar, Hotel Zenit
Pages del Corro 90
This large rooftop terrace bar next to San Jacinto church is the most spacious in Seville, with four different seating areas, including sociable shady sofa-and-table set-ups for groups.
Terraza Atalaya
Plaza Alcalde Sanchez Monteiserin 2
Atop the curved skyscraper Torre Sevilla (the bar is part of the Eurostars Torre Sevilla hotel), this panoramic bar provides stunning views from 170 metres up, by far the tallest spot in the city. From the circular space's floor-to-ceiling windows, you can (private functions allowing) see all the way round, from the Aljarafe area to the west of the city, to La Cartuja monastery, the river, the centre including the Cathedral and Setas, and Triana. Look for the marks on the floor to indicate famous buildings. Good cocktails, with prices at the top end for Seville (14 euros). The tower is lit up in a different colour each month. Entry is 16 euros which includes a drink (for hotel guests and those dining at El Duende restaurant, entrance is free). Note that if the bar is at capacity with hotel clients, or there's a large private function, access may be closed. Check website before visiting.
