Cheers: A Guide to Seville’s Best Cocktail Bars

It’s an inevitable situation: as the balmy summer nights in Seville cool down, the nightlife heats up. In a crisis-ridden country, Sevillanos claim their bars have kept them afloat, and it seems that new watering holes pop up every other week in the central neighborhoods.

Copas or cubatas, a basic mixed drink of one type of alcohol and a soft drink or juice, have long been favorites after a meal and on the weekends, but cocteles are a pleasant alternative to sherry, beer or wine. While Spain’s southern capital is certainly no Madrid or Ibiza, the cocktail bar craze has turned Seville’s weekend crowd into a more sophisticated bunch.

Seville's Best Cocktail Bars

The Second Room

New to the bar scene, The Second Room is a tapas bar that serves up daiquiris, martinis and creative takes on traditional dishes. Located on Calle Placentines and rubbing shoulders with long-standing bars and restaurants, The Second Room offers high stools, eclectic décor and a full list of cocktails. Open daily from 1pm. (Calle Placentines, 19, in the Santa Cruz neighborhood)

ROOF  - Estamos Arriba!

Located on the multi-leveled rooftop terrace of the Casa Romana boutique hotel, ROOF is a favorite amongst Sevillanos and visitors alike, and definitely tops the list of Seville's best cocktail bars. Enjoy views of the historic city while sipping on creative cocktails or sharing a plate of patatas bravas with friends. The service is a bit slow and the cocktails are priced on the high side for Seville  (around 6-7 euros), but the ambience and quality of the liquors make up for it. Must-tries include the Cuban mojitos and souped-up gin-tonic combinations. There’s also a swimming pool for sunny afternoons! Open for lunch, dinner and cocktails daily. (Calle Trajano, 15, near the Alameda. Take the elevator to the last floor of the hotel and continue up the stairs)

EME Terraza

Sitting in the shadow of the towering Giralda, the terrace bar of the trendy Hotel EME offers some basic cocktails, though you pay for the view. Expect to dole out 4€ for a bottle of imported beer, and cocktails run at least twice that. Guests can also use the pool during the day and early evening, and watching the sunset from this vantage point makes up for the steep prices. (Calle Alemanes, 27, on the 4^th floor of the Hotel EME. Open daily from midday.)

La Tertulia

This Triana neighborhood staple, located on Calle Betis with views across the Guadalquivir to the old city, is famous for its mojitos and caipirinhas. This busy bar takes it name from a tertulia, or a casual meeting of friends to talk about everything and nothing, so it’s no wonder that the bar is often crowded at the weekend. Order a drink from the back bar (be prepared to wait – they’re the most popular!) and sit on the benches along the river. (Calle Betis, 13, in the Triana neighborhood)

Kudéta

While this om-themed bar seems to resonate more with the study abroad crowd, Kudéta has a lower level that includes basic cocktails and hookahs. Plush sofas and low lights complete the mood, and there are often musical groups or flamenco. The two upper floors are dedicated to a throbbing disco, though their summer terrace, located in the old Estacion de Cordoba, is breezy and tranquil for a summer cocktail. (Located on the lower level of the Plaza de Armas shopping center near the bus station – dress to impress!)

Summer terrace bars are especially popular when the heat is too much to bear – look for them in María Luisa Park, or along the river. No cocktails served here, but it’s the only way to survive the warm nights! My picks are Alfonso, Capote or Puerto de Cuba.

Cat Gaa left the skyscrapers of Chicago for the olive groves of Southern Spain nearly six years ago, where she works as a teacher and blogs at Sunshine and Siestas. She’s more of a beer drinker, she’s not one to turn down a Beefeater and tonic, either.

Looking for the best of food and tapas in Seville? Check out my best bites in Seville article and try one of my food tours in Seville to truly connect with the local gastronomy! I'd love to have you along!