Shangri-La

About this place Shangri-La

Shangri-La occupies a position in Bilbao's Casco Viejo that makes it one of the more animated gay bars in the area — a combination of good location, a crowd that tends toward the younger and more energetic end of the scene, and a bar-night atmosphere that suits both early and late in the evening. The Casco Viejo setting places it within the Siete Calles district, meaning the surrounding streets are filled with pintxos bars, historic architecture, and the general social activity of one of the most characterful old town districts in northern Spain. Shangri-La draws a diverse crowd: Bilbao locals and visitors, gay men predominantly but with a welcoming policy that reflects the Basque social tradition of inclusive bar culture. The bar is the kind of place where a solo visitor can arrive and immediately feel incorporated into the room's social life — a characteristic that is not accidental but reflects deliberate management of the venue's atmosphere. During Bilbao Pride in late June or July, Shangri-La is one of the focal points of the week's events.