When you are staying on a paradise island like Puerto Rico that is brimming with energy and culture, you can help but get involved in the vibes and want to sample some of the awesome nightlife.
Puerto Rico nightlife is nothing short of amazing and you will find great bars and clubs playing everything from salsa to reggae, reggaeton, and rumba to the early hours. It isn’t just confined to old San Juan either, as the Latin culture of the island likes to party, so there is always something going on no matter where in Puerto Rico you are.
Not every establishment is as good as the next though and we want to ensure you spend your time in the best ones so you can have the greatest experience of Puerto Rico’s nightlife possible.
Join me as we run through the top spots where you can find live music, a burst dance floor, fund bars, and lots more.
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Sitting on the northwest tip of the island is an awesome indoor and outdoor bar that goes by the name of the Calypso Café & Tropical Bar.
You will find this amazing bar on the stunning and world-famous Maria’s Beach that is home to a world-class surf break and is a favorite spot for honeymooners and weddings too. The beach itself is lovely and overlooks one of the best sunset views in Puerto Rico during which the bar has a happy hour every day.
This awesome bar is famous for its amazing frozen tropical drinks and delicious Caribbean grilled food that can all be enjoyed from an indoor and outdoor space with amazing views.
The vibes are great, and you can get involved in their full moon parties, enjoy the dance-a-thons every weekend, or just have a casual drink at sunset every day having had a dip in the azure blue seas of the Caribbean.
Oceano is one of the top spots to experience some of the best San Juan nightlife around as it is home to amazing ocean views, classy cocktails, fine dining, and some great vibes too. It is also a great LGBT spot too that welcomes everyone from everywhere no matter one’s background.
Split over three levels in a mansion right on the beach, you have three different atmospheres to choose from the rooftop bar to the indoor/outdoor lounge on the second floor, and the sandy beach bar at the base that is great for hanging out in board shorts and bikinis with no shoes on.
You will find some of the best-dressed people in San Juan hanging out here and the decor is super elegant and laid back at the same time. If you want to dig into some Old San Juan nightlife, this is the spot to do it in.
Club Kronos is another popular San Juan party spot where you are pretty much guaranteed to have a fun night full of awesome dancing, live music, and some of the hottest DJs in town.
You will find this San Juan dance floor packed out with a fun crowd while DJs drop everything from hip hop to salsa, reggaeton, techno, and electronic music too. Along with the great music and party vibes, come some incredible visuals too such as lasers that really take things to the next level.
You will find a different themed night every week at this awesome club and the interior is minimal with lots of space for dancing until the early hours of the morning.
The crowd is relentless here and somehow just doesn’t seem to be able to stop dancing and having fun, so if you are in the mood for a proper party and a fun night in San Juan after an amazing beach day, sunset cocktails and dinner, then head to this spot.
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If you are looking for a lively bar in San Juan with great cocktails and wholesome pub food then you have to go to La Factoria. Not only is it great to have a drink at but you can also experience some of the best Puerto Rican nightlife here.
La Factoria features a labyrinth-style layout with intimate dance floors, lovely bars, and some of the best old-fashioned cocktails you might ever taste. You will find a young and vivacious crowd here as well as affordable drinks and a lovely atmosphere.
Just imagine ceiling fairy lights, live music, old paintworks, and little corners where you can find some intimate space within a great vibe. As you stroll around one of the most fun bars in San Juan, don’t stay still, keep exploring all the nooks and crannies of this place you will keep finding new and hidden bars as well as dance floors as you go.
Known as the number one party spot in Old San Juan, a visit to La Placita de Santurce while you’re in town is a must if you are looking for a boogie and also to taste some vibrant nightlife. It is famous for its street parties and outdoor day parties, so keep a close eye on their even schedule before your trip.
La Placita de Santurce was founded over 100 years ago and is an icon of the nightlife in Puerto Rico. It is best visited on Thursday and Friday nights when a pretty normal-looking market turns into a buzzing street party with food stalls all around serving up all the Puerto Rican treats you want in a nightlife scene plus some loud music to go with it.
Being at this Puerto Rico spot is all about being loose and dance salsa and it continues for hours until the early hours of the morning before it turns into the traditional Puerto Rico market again.
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Voted as the best beach bar in 2018 in the USA Today, Tamboo bar is home to some of the best daytime nightlife Puerto Rico has to offer. Seriously, if you want a special place to spend a beach day followed by some delicious sunset cocktails, this is a Puerto Rico bar you have to go and spend some time at.
Tamboo Bar is a lot more than just a bar though, it is also a hotel and restaurant that sits on a stunning white sand beach in the Rincón area in northwest Puerto Rico. The views across the ocean and into the setting sun are hard to beat.
You will also find amazingly delicious Caribbean and American food served up here as well as unique tasty cocktails, and some great live music too. But it doesn’t end there, as this is a popular post surf spot where it isn’t uncommon for young crowds to dance until they simply can not anymore.
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El Boricua is another place where you can find some of the top nightlife in Puerto Rico. Sitting in the center of San Juan this spot is popular with both locals and tourists too. You will find they play Latin music nightly along with a load of other genres too and it couldn’t be done in a better atmosphere.
The inside of the bar is pubbier and laid back where you can sit and chat at the bar, take turns on the jukebox, shoot some pool and meet some great people while sipping on yummy cocktails and trying out some great food too.
This venue also has an outdoor concert area with a stage along with outdoor seating and this is where the parties really get going. You will find great music and a crowd here having fun at all times of the day or night.
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El Batey was a favorite hangout of The Rolling Stones whenever they were hanging out in Puerto Rico and this may be because it truly is an edgy dive bar with a fun vibe to it.
It has a cave-like feel to it that’s covered in graffiti as well as drawings and business cards of all the celebrities who have partied there in the past. It truly is an icon of Puerto Rico’s nightlife and one you should spend some time at while in San Juan.
The views from this bar are lovely and you will find sun-lit cobble-stoned streets bursting through the windows as well as sights of the Gothic San Juan Cathedral and other amazing architectural things you should see.
Being next to one of Puerto Rico’s college towns, you can meet anyone in here from young students to travelers and famous celebs as well as bankers and more.
La Pulga sits in the middle of Ponce and is one of the best places to party in Puerto Rico if you are on a tight budget as you can find drinks like vodka for just $1. As you can manage, this is very popular with young party goers and students, so the crowd is pretty damn lovely.
As well as the immensely affordable drinking options, La Pulga also plays epic music that is supplied by awesome DJs. The atmosphere is fun and friendly, and you can find yourself dancing until the sun comes up here quite easily.
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El Bar Bero is your best bet if you are looking for a unique experience and some of the best-tasting cocktails on the planet.
This bar might seem a little scruffy around the edges as it is a barbershop during the day and a cocktail bar by night. The decor is old-school and barber-themed with old barber chairs across multiple generations featured around the space.
It is a super friendly place to hang out and meet some locals, have great cocktails, and you have to taste their homemade ginger beer too.
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!