San José
This glitzy, recently established cocktail den in the historic Steinvorth Building is brought to you by the mixologist/chef team from Maza Bistro, and…
Must-see nightlife in Central America
Barrier Reef Sports Bar & Grill
Caye Caulker
Perennially popular with expats and international visitors alike, this waterfront beach bar serves fantastic international food and all kinds of drinks…
Managua
Fairy lights are strung around this popular club, where local students take to the alfresco stage to the cumbia beats or the interesting salsa-Macarena…
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Run by brothers Khalil and Abasi and their friend Rocky, Puerto Viejo's most dependable spot for live music draws big crowds, plays reggae, and serves two…
Ambergris Caye
This over-the-water palapa (open-air shelter with a thatched roof), a mile south of San Pedro bridge, serves burgers and tacos, and is a fantastic place…
San José
Old-school San Jose cantina La Bohemia is a traditional gathering place of poets and guitarristas, whose spirits still sometimes trouble the night air…
San José
Voluble owner/brewer Alberto Sancho's encyclopedic knowledge of all things hoppy and his passion for classic rock make this a very, very fun place indeed…
Ambergris Caye
This laid-back beach bar is way up north, but is a great stop on the way home from Secret Beach. Grab a frozen mojito and relax under the palapa (open-air…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
It’s not a brewery – contrary to the sign – but it does offer a selection of local craft beers. There’s a shady deck out back and smiling servers on hand;…
Nosara Area
The other beachfront establishment on Pelada is an old-fashioned beach bar, offering traditional Tico fare, cheap beer and the occasional pig roast. The…
Utila
This is everything a hard-drinking bar should be, with a leaky tin roof, concrete floor, pool table, dart board, an excess of wizened characters and a…
San José
If you’re drinking the night away with Ticos, you might find yourself here at 4am, clutching a cold one and professing your love for recent acquaintances…
San José
Located on the ground floor of the nondescript Centro Colón office tower, the city’s premier club packs in Chepe’s beautiful people with a mix of house,…
Panama City
When Teatro Amador first opened its doors in 1912, it was one of the city’s first movie theaters. It was abandoned in the 1990s and only reopened after…
Antigua
It's quite a party most nights at this split-level disco near the Santa Catalina arch: plenty of selfies, vapor shots and EDM form the scene. To take a…
Little Corn Island
Head to this hip open-air cafe for great burgers, buffalo wings and bruschetta with an indie-rock soundtrack. It's the most popular haunt among travelers…
Central Valley & Highlands
Where rafters finish with a cool beer after an adrenaline-fueled day on the rivers. Things might get lively later with brightly colored cocktails, but it…
Playas del Coco
A chilled-out beach bar with front-row seats for the ongoing sand volleyball action or, even better, a killer sunset. This open-air bar offers beach…
Uvita
A pleasant open-plan wine bar serving a long list of imported wines from South America and Europe. You can also dabble in potent craft drinks like Malfy…
Managua
Let's start with what's important: the cocktails here are seriously good and served by expert mixologists. The 'Rum Old Fashioned' arrives in a smoked…
San Ignacio
Soul Project is a sweet bar and venue where local artist, filmmaker and conservationist Daniel Velazquez works hard to create a space for local and…
La Fortuna
Just uphill from the town center, these guys are all about Tico artisanal beers, offering a dozen different home-country bottled cervezas. They also brew…
San José
Set in a historical mansion that once belonged to a Venezuelan general, Antik offers a tri-level experience, with a basement catering to the EDM crowd, a…
San Salvador
The magnificent murals adorning the outer walls of this gleaming new market are reason enough to take a look. Inside there are two floors of market stalls…
La Ceiba
This huge, upscale, two-story, thatched-roof bar-restaurant just off the beach is a zona viva mainstay. It draws a wealthy and hedonistic party crowd,…
Caye Caulker
I&I is the island's most hip, happening spot after dark, when its healthy sound system belts out a reggae beat. Its three levels each offer a different…
Península de Nicoya
Anchoring Playa Potrero's gastronomy park (El Garden), this expat-owned brewery excels at sours, stouts and gose-style beers. And once the friendly owners…
Western El Salvador
The hedge labyrinth (admission US$3) here is the talk of the town, but it's the sublime views across mist-covered mountains that won us over. Call in for…
Jacó
Tucked into a nondescript plaza, this little watering hole features 10 craft beers on tap; it's a welcome alternative to some of the grimier nightlife…
Tegucigalpa
A long-standing ‘secret’ among capitalinos, this intimate, very sociable bar caters to a mix of free-spirited 20-somethings and hardened local drinkers…
Bocas del Toro Town
Just what its name suggests: this cavernous spot sells both books and drinks, though most seem more interested in the latter. It's the best spot for live…
Playa Tamarindo
If you want to catch the big game, look no further than Sharky's. Besides nine screens showing sports, there are burgers, wings and lots of beer. There's…
Western Honduras
Occupying the two-story hexagonal structure in the middle of the town's central square, this is the best place in town to enjoy an espresso, cappuccino,…
Placencia
Occupying prime beach real estate, Placencia's most happening spot for drinking and entertainment has live music five nights a week, fire dancing on…
Quepos
This well-established pub offers a good happy hour (runs 4:30pm to 6:30pm) with two-for-one cocktails, plus excellent fresh seafood, sports on the screen…
Granada
Modeled on the original Hog's Breath Saloon in Florida and run by a friendly Minnesotan couple, this safari-themed lounge bar is the antithesis of the…
San Juan Del Sur
The hilltop bar and restaurant at Pelican Eyes is a lovely spot for canoodling with your sweetie over sunset cocktails by candlelight – happy-hour…
Corn Islands
The only bar and restaurant on Long Bay is of the barefoot, palm-thatched variety. It's not as popular as it once was, but draws its biggest crowds on…
Central Valley & Highlands
On the second floor, overlooking the square, this vibrant space decorated with papier-mâché trees, bright floral wall art and patterned tiles is the…
San José
Inspired by Madrid's 'Mercado San Miguel,' El Mercadito (as the locals say) is a recent addition to the up-and-coming Barrio La California. The line…
