1. Plaza del Mercado
Photo © Zain Deane
I'm cheating a bit here, because this is not a bar, but rather an end-of-week tradition. On Thursday and Friday nights, locals fill the market square, or Plaza del Mercado in Santurce, which transforms into an open-air bloc party. In addition to the many local bars, the plaza has several fondas, or small eateries specializing in Puerto Rican fare. La Placita, as it’s called, has a relaxed, pleasant vibe, and it’s definitely off the beaten path; although you wouldn’t know it from the almost-impossible parking around the place.
Contact:
At Dos Hermanos and Capitol Streets, Santurce, San Juan
2. Dunbar's
Photo © Zain Deane
The pictures on the wall say it all: Dunbar's is covered with photos of happy revelers (with a noticeable concentration of young, attractive women) enjoying themselves. With three bars occupying two floors, a pool hall, and a dance floor with a stage for live bands, it’s no surprise that this is perhaps Ocean Park’s favorite nighttime destination. People of all ages and tastes can have a good time here, aided by a daily happy hour, a varied and tasty menu, and an enthusiastic staff.
Contact:
787-728-2920
1854 McLeary Avenue, Ocean Park, San Juan
3. Nono’s
Photo © Zain Deane
You can’t beat the location: a colonial building atop a hill on the corner of Cristo and San Sebastián Streets. You can’t beat the ambience, with pool tables on the second floor and a long bar area with seating that spills out onto the street and Plaza San José. In addition to daily drink specials, you can get succulent burgers here from the neighboring restaurant El Patio de Sam. And you can’t beat the hours: Nono’s will stay open until four.
Contact:
787-725-7819
100 San Sebastián Street, Old San Juan
4. El Batey
The home of grunge in Old San Juan, El Batey occupies a unique niche on one of the most historic streets in the city. Its collegiate-atmosphere décor, highlighted by graffiti, jukebox, lampshades made of business cards, and wooden bar weathered by numerous (if not famous) autographs. Its unpretentious dinginess is one of its most appealing qualities.
Contact:
787-725-1787
101 Cristo Street, Old San Juan
5. Blend
Photo © Zain Deane
Blend is named for its ... well ... blend of bar, lounge, and restaurant. The bar is located in the front, and it’s been voted the best bar in the city two years in a row. Maybe because the bar is often packed, and because there’s a live DJ spinning lounge music nearby. You can wander from one end of the place to the other, going from bar to lounge to restaurant for a meal.
Contact:
787-977-7777
309 Fortaleza Street, Old San Juan
6. Lupi's
With two branches, in Old San Juan and Isla Verde, Lupi's is an injection of Spring Break in an otherwise chic neighborhood. The food is Tex-Mex heavy, the drinks massive (with an impressive array of margaritas), and the bar colorful and hopping on the weekends (especially the Isla Verde branch, which also has live music nightly).
Contact:
787-253-2198
6369 Isla Verde Avenue, Isla Verde, Carolina
7. Colmado Bar Moreno
Photo © Zain Deane
Colmado Bar Moreno is not a likely candidate to make a list of top bars; during the day, it's a relatively quiet and unassuming liquor and general store. At night, however, the store takes advantage of its location fronting a mini plaza off Tetuán Street to set up an outdoor bar area. Throw in the homegrown reggaetón music, dirt-cheap drinks served in plastic cups, and it's no wonder that customers line up to the counter.
Contact:
787-724-5130
365 Tetuán Street, Old San Juan
8. Señor Frog's
Across the Caribbean (and Mexico), Señor Frog’s has been sending college kids crawling home happy. You can count on this joint for a youthful, raucous scene, blaring music, live bands, karaoke, girls dancing on stage, and freely flowing alcohol. The Puerto Rico branch of this chain is located behind the Sheraton. Señor Frog’s is a full-service restaurant as well, but you can eat at one of Old San Juan’s fine restaurants and then come here to party.
Contact:
787-977-4142
104 Comercio Street, Old San Juan
