Enjoying a good drink at a good bar has to be one of life’s underrated pleasures. Sure, you can have a beer or a cocktail at home, but there is something to be said about the experience, the ambiance, and the service you get at a bar that’s just its own form of bliss.
If you are staying in Puerto Rico and looking for the best places to unwind, you might want to ask yourself…
Where Do The Locals Hang Out In San Juan?
1. La Factoria
With several hidden bars in the same building, each one with its own unique vibe and music, La Factoria could be the entirety of this list all on its own. The main draw of La Factoria is their selection of cocktails. If you want to get something you won’t find anywhere else, you need to try their Lavender Mule.
2. The Mezzanine
Say you want cocktails, but you’re looking for something a little more… cozy. The Mezzanine is the place for you. Nestled on the second floor of 156 Calle Sol, this spot boasts a rich history as it was once the home of Puerto Rican nationalist leader Pedro Albizu Campos.
You can also visit them for brunch or at any time of day to get tapas along with your drinks. All their cocktails have a unique spin, but for something you won’t get anywhere else, ask for a Quita To.
3. La Barrita del Lado
Continuing with cocktails, we have La Barrita del Lado. A couple of things make this an ideal spot. First, its location. La Barrita del Lado is located inside Distrito T-Mobile. In this entertainment center, you can find anything from zip lining at Toro Verde Urban Park to concerts at the Coca-Cola Music Hall.
Another thing I enjoy about La Barrita del Lado is the menu’s simplicity. Cocktails are $12, and a one-page tapas menu accompanies the drinks. If you like Moscow Mules, try their take on La Mula, which replaces the vodka for rum and adds agave syrup for a hint of sweetness.
4. El Batey Bar
Cocktails are all well and good, but if you are at a point where you want your drinks to be made up of two ingredients or less (three if you count ice), then the dingy, grimy comfort of El Batey is for you. There is just something genuine about a dive bar that feels lived in. Don’t ask for anything fancy here. A ‘cuba libre‘ is about as complex as it gets, and dammit, you like it that way. Cheap beers and a great setting are all one could hope to ask for.
5. El Bar Bero
You know what I get a kick out of? It’s a well-pulled-off gimmick. To be well pulled off, a gimmick needs to have substance behind it. El Bar Bero is one such spot. By day, it’s an honest-to-God barber shop; by night, it’s a cocktail bar. It is quite a unique concept, but like I said before, this spot can deliver the goods. Ask for a Barbero Viejo.
6. La Penúltima
La Penultima is the ultimate bar that has a little bit of everything. Want cocktails? You —everything from daiquiris to negronis to margaritas. But ask for an Isla Borinquen Fizz if you want something unique. Want beers? Domestic, imported, and craft beers are all available here, even several local microbrews. Want wine? White, red, or prosecco? Take your pick with plenty of variety.
7. Jungle Bird
The selection of bars at La Placita could be an article in and of itself, but the cocktail bar known as Jungle Bird is among the standouts. This is a tiki bar with a playful tropical vibe. They offer a great food selection, and the cocktails are just as creative as anything else on this list. For a drink with a kick, try the Spicy Dead Lady.
8. Taberna Lupulo
Lupulo is the stuff of local legend. This and the next entry on this list are a beer snob’s paradise. If you are looking for a gin and tonic, keep looking because you won’t find one here. Lupulo is all about its selection of craft beers. They boast a huge variety of both bottled and on-tap beers. If you like beer, you’ll find something here to cheer you up. I will not apologize for that rhyme. If you’ve made it this far, you’re too invested to click away now.
9. Taberna Boricua
Taberna Boricua is the first beer garden in Puerto Rico. In terms of variety, it could easily be a copy/paste of Lupulo. However, the ambiance is different at Taberna Boricua. Lupulo is in Old San Juan, and the architecture is what you would expect. Taberna Boricua is in the banking district in Hato Rey, so if you go on a weekday, you are likely to see a bunch of folks unwinding before their trek home. Plus, Taberna Boricua has live acoustic music on the weekends.
10. Nono’s
Nono’s is another staple of the Puerto Rican Bar scene. Located in Old San Juan, this place is as safe a bet as any when it comes to the selection of drinks. Nothing too wild as far as beers or cocktails go, but sometimes you just want that simplicity, and Nonos has been around for so long that they practically have this down to a science.
Conclusion
No matter what’s your poison, San Juan will have a place to get you what you are looking for. Whether you plan a trip long enough to try all the places on this list or have more reasons to return, you will certainly not be disappointed.
FAQ
What is the legal drinking age in Puerto Rico?
The legal drinking age in Puerto Rico is 18.
