Entertainment in Central America
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A
El Cuartel de la Boca del Monte
Though not strictly a live-music venue, this atmospheric old bar with exposed brick walls has long drawn in cheek-to-jowl crowds for live bands on most nights of the week (especially Fridays). It’s popular with university students, who arrive to flirt and drink and various combinations thereof.
reviewed
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B
Coco's Bar
reviewed
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Driftwood Café
A way’s west of the ferry dock, this ‘yachtie’ hangout has decent pub grub. Try the ‘Monkeyball, ’ made with home-crafted Kahlua and a few other secret ingredients.
reviewed
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C
Café Welchez
Although it looks like money, the Café Welchez is a relatively affordable place.
reviewed
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Ten Napel Café
This cozy coffee shop is perfect if you need a caffeine or sugar fix (or both).
reviewed
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D
I&I Reggae Bar
I&I is the island’s most hip-hop happening spot after dark, when its healthy sound system belts out a reggae beat. Its three levels each offer a different scene, with a dance floor on one and swings hanging from the rafters on another. The top floor is the ‘chill-out zone, ’ complete with hammocks and panoramic views. Great place for a sunset drink.
reviewed
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E
El Portal
This atmospheric old drinking den serves fine draft beer and free tapas. Che Guevara was once a patron. Sit at the long wooden bar or one of the wooden tables. Clients are mostly, but not exclusively, men. To find it, enter the Portal del Comercio arcade from 6a Av a few steps south of the Parque Central.
reviewed
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F
Café La Luna
La Luna is a comfortable, relaxed place to hang out and eat a cake, salad or sandwich. The hot chocolate is the specialty - the coffee is so-so. Choose any of several rooms: decor is in similar vein to Café Baviera but the music is classical instead of jazz.
reviewed
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G
Café Baviera
This European-style café has good coffee, roasted on the premises, and is a decent place for breakfast or a snack (crepes, croissants, soups and salads). The wooden walls are hung with countless photos and clippings on Xela and international themes.
reviewed
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H
Reilly's
Guatemala's only Irish bar (so far), Reilly's is sociable and relaxed, with a young international crowd. Sadly, small bottles of Guinness are more than double the cost of local beers! The Sunday evening quiz is one of Antigua's most enjoyable events.
reviewed
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I
Café El Cuartito
Xela's hippest café does a good range of snacks and juices and coffee just about any way you want it. On weekends it often has DJs spinning laid-back tracks, and there's always art on the walls by local contemporary artists.
reviewed
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J
El Establo
This mellow watering hole attracts both foreigners and locals with its pub-style layout, three-sided, brass-topped bar, good pub food and enormous range of music spun by the German owners.
reviewed
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K
Pool & Beer
An excellent place for some drinks and a few games of pool. At the time of writing, the tables hadn't been trashed and the cues were straight.
reviewed
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L
Amigos Bar
A popular bar that usually has a good mix of locals and tourists is Amigos Bar, a great place to drink and shoot pool.
reviewed
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M
El Muro
A friendly little neighborhood pub with a good range of beers, some decent snacks and plenty of sofas to lounge out on.
reviewed
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N
La Ronda
This rather tranquil and elegant spot right on the park has a good happy hour and popular Wednesday karaoke night.
reviewed
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O
Blue Town Café Bar
If fellow live music venue La Bodeguita doesn't suit you, check out this nearby youthful spot with live bands.
reviewed
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P
Café San Rafael
This tiny eatery 1½ blocks south of Parque Central sells coffee from the family finca.
reviewed
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Q
El Chamán
Young scenesters gather at this popular dance club. Live music on Thursday.
reviewed
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R
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Artemis Café
Come for the free wi-fi, stay for the coffee. Located in Centro Comercial Playa El Carmen, Artemis has fantastic coffee (best iced mocha ever), smoothies and juices, plus salads, sandwiches and panini. After dark, Artemis transforms into a groovy lounge with DJs spinning cool tracks and occasional live music.
reviewed
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Grupo Venancio
When you tell your taxi driver 'Grupo Venancio,' three blocks east and three blocks south of Parque Morazán, he may ask why you want to hang out with lesbians and witches (brujas). But there are so many reasons! One of Matagalpa's best nights out, this women's collective runs an excellent bar and restaurant which shows movies, has live music and hosts all manner of woman-empowering events.
It's usually only open Fridays, with movies and a quieter crowd, and Saturdays, which get packed if the band is good; there's usually no cover. This is a good place to start looking for Matagalpa's thriving gay and lesbian scene, but respectful heterosexual men can and have scored here…
reviewed
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S
Matáe Caña
Housed in Santa Elena’s original tavern, Matáe Caña is a chic new lounge that fills the void long been present in Monteverde. Opened in late 2009 by the folks behind Pensión Santa Elena, Matáe Caña features the same passion and attention to detail. A waterfall graces one entire wall of the bar. There are numerous padded nooks and crannies where you can sip a drink with your date. During warm weather, guests can lounge on beds in the outdoor patio. The women’s bathroom even has its own lounge with couch and huge mirrors. The bar has a good selection of rums and specialty drinks; don’t miss the Howler Monkey Shot. The lounge also hosts occasional live salsa bands.…
reviewed
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T
Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts
The revamped Bliss Centre has a fine 600-seat theater that stages a variety of events, including concerts of traditional Belizean music and other shows that celebrate Belize and its culture. The annual Belizean Film Festival is held here, and the Children’s Art Festival in May. The Bliss Centre is also a likely spot in the city for any major cultural happenings (such as this year’s memorial concert for Belizean musician Andy Palacio, which brought the city to a standstill for hours). As they don’t yet have a website to promote upcoming events, your best bet is to call or drop by during business hours to learn what’s going on during your visit.
reviewed
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U
Centro Arte para La Paz
Occupying a full city block, this former school - that has stood closed for the last 25 years - is being renovated and reopened as an arts and performance space, emphasizing 'a culture of peace.' Not yet fully opened when we visited, it promises to be an important addition to Suchitoto's already vibrant arts and culture scene.
Plans include a 300-person theatre for live shows, film screenings and more; an outdoor garden and performance space; studios for art classes; and a media and digital resources center. The website is very professional, and includes an up-to-date events calendar.
reviewed
