Trance. House. Techno. And plenty of reggaetón (the super-charged blend of American and Latin hip hop and rap). If you love to dance, these words are music to your ears, and this is the music you'll hear at these four San Juan nightclubs.
1. Club Brava
The El San Juan Hotel & Casino is a top nightlife destination even without the added bonus of a club. But it happens to have one of Puerto Rico's hottest nightlife destinations in Club Brava. A large, two-level space, it nevertheless gets packed to bursting point on weekends, when celebrities, locals, and tourists jam together on the dance floor and the upstairs bar and lounge area. The music is a mix of house, techno, hip hop, and raggaetón. The crowd is young, energetic, scantily clad, and generally representative of the city's pretty people. All that means long lines on a Saturday night, because Brava is the place to be.
Contact: 787-641-3500
2. Club Lazer
Here's the rundown of my experience at Club Lazer: I went early on a Friday night and didn't see too much going on; then checked it out on a Saturday night and came across a more happening different scene; and finally, went to a Sunday Mas Flow party (which is heavy ont the reggaetón) and found it blistering hot. It's a spacious club smack in the middle of Old San Juan, with various rooms, niches and VIP lounges, as well as an outdoor space on the rooftop to cool off. Some heavy hitters regularly pass through here as guest DJs or just as guests. Oh yes, and there are the laser-effects that give the club its name.
Contact: 787-725-7581
3. Club Flow
Many reggaetón clubs in Puerto Rico are strictly local, underground affairs that can draw a sketchy crowd. But Club Flow, while not in the center of the old city (it's on Ponce de León Avenue), is still well known to those who know the local scene. The biggest acts and the most talented up-and-comers can be found either on the floor (there's always a local band playing) or pumping through the speakers. The crowd is flashy, and by flashy I mean half naked for the women and pimpin' for the men. If you need to get your perreo on, go here. And if you don't know what perreo is, well ... it's the rhythmic, raunchy, raggaetón-inspired dance that is just about as close as you can get to enjoying your partner without getting arrested.
4. Krash
Gay tourists who know Puerto Rico will probably remember Club Eros as the single best nightclub for gay men and women. Well, Eros is now Krash, but the vibe is still the same. A little off the beaten path in Santurce, Krash plays tribal, house, hip hop, and R&B music for a lively and extremely friendly crowd.
Contact: 787-722-1131
