Txoko

They may have begun in Bilbao, Spain, as (perhaps inspired by the British) company social clubs, however they are most known in San Sebastián; where the first txoko was formed in 1870[12] as an informal group of friends who met regularly to eat, drink, sing, and talk.

[15] Normally, a txoko is set up by a group of friends who buy or rent suitable premises together and adopt a constitution covering membership, administration and other matters.

[1] Hess; although describing the txoko as providing an escape from the daily grind of life in society, thus limited in its ability to benefit the society as a whole; points to it as an expression of conviviality, and having a significant role in supporting Basque culture and identity; and in helping to manage the transition from a rural to an urban identity.

Hess also suggested that the communal organisation and Roman Catholic influenced choice of seasonal and weekly dishes represents a reaction against Protestant individualism.

[21] Other authors point to the extreme conservatism of txokos: the exclusion of women and an emphasis on preserving traditional dishes.