Poteo

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Basque tradition

Poteo in Bilbao

08/22/2006

Although somewhat modernised, Bilbao maintains the age-old tradition of the “poteo” or “txikiteo” (going from bar to bar with a group of friends and having small glasses of wine).

Once a predominately male custom, this ritual is now commonly practiced by women as well. In the early evening, particularly on Thursdays and Fridays, people meet for a round of potes, named after the now obsolete heavy wine glasses once commonly used.

The term “txikiteo” comes from the name of the coin that once covered the cost of a glass of wine. García Rivero street and Plaza Campuzano are the hot spots in the city centre, as well as the Estraunza district. And not too far from here Licenciado Poza and Dr. Areilza streets bustle with the younger crowd.

Diputación street, in the middle of Gran Vía, and the new shopping zone known as the Ensanche are popular because of the pedestrian-only streets and the number of bars serving creative upscale “pintxos”. Next to Jardines de Albia gardens, Ledesma and Arbieto streets, also for pedestrians only, attract great numbers of people in the evening. The so-called ‘Guggenheim effect’ and the quality of the bars surrounding the museum are turning Iparraguirre, Ajuriaguerra and Heros streets into a new “poteo” zone.

And last but certainly not least for lovers of this ritual is the Casco Viejo, or Old Town. Here you will find such places as the well-loved Plaza Nueva square with its sidewalk cafés and relaxing atmosphere. There are countless “pintxo” bars near the intersection of Perro and Sanguinaria streets, some of which are even mentioned in the Michelin Guide.

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