Other entertainment in Costa Rica
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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
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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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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C
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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D
La Guarida del Sapo
This cathedral of music built by the Hotel El Sapo Dorado resembles an old church – right down to the stained-glass windows with Costa Rican nature scenes. But about the only praying you may do here is to the porcelain god. Fridays are the most lively nights when the place is transformed into a discotheque. There’s live music on most Mondays and Saturdays. The international restaurantserves everything from filet mignon to escargot. A small cover charge applies for special events.
reviewed
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E
Disco La Central
This unintentionally retro disco sets the volume at 11 (whether or not there’s anyone on the dance floor), though it’s an old-timer on the Jacó scene that still draws in a strong local following. Very much an after-hours spot, Disco La Central doesn’t really get going until the restaurants and bars have emptied out, sending inebriated patrons out in search of flashing lights and heavy bass.
reviewed
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F
Club Vertigo
Located on the ground floor of a nondescript office tower, the city’s premier club packs in Chepe’s beautiful people with a mix of house, trance and electronica. Downstairs is an 850-person-capacity sweat-box of a dance floor, while upstairs you’ll find a chill-out lounge lined with red sofas. Dress to the nines and note that admission charges can skyrocket on guest-DJ nights (from ₡7000).
reviewed
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G
El Morazán
Facing the Parque Morazán, this exposed-brick, Spanish tile–clad space dates back to 1904. Throughout its long life it has hosted all manner of historical figures (including Che Guevara, according to one account). It is a popular hangout among Chepe’s young artsy set. In addition to beer, there is a full menu of classic cocktails and snacks. On some nights, there is live music.
reviewed
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H
Jazz Café
The destination in San José for live music, with a different band every night. Countless performers have taken to the stage here, including legendary Cuban bandleader Chucho Valdés and Colombian pop star Juanes. Admission charges vary, but plan on spending about ₡4000 to see local groups. It’s 50m east of the Antiguo Banco Popular.
reviewed
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Centro Comercial Trejos Montealagre
This nightlife and drinking complex on the northern edge of San Rafael is one of the hottest – and trendiest – drinking and dancing outposts in the capital. The scene-sters usually start rolling in at 9pm and keep going until the wee hours. As with other San José party places, bars come and go quickly, so inquire locally before setting out. One of the few enduring spots is Frankie Go, which regularly screens soccer matches and hosts ladies’ nights.
reviewed
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I
Café del Correo
Adjacent to the central post office is this mellow cafe that draws everyone from businessmen to teenagers on dates – and is a nice, central place to rest your feet. The cortados (espresso with a dollop of steamed milk) are good, and there are some sinful drinks, too – such as whiskey-laced Irish coffee (from ₡2250).
reviewed
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J
Taberna Arenas
This delightful, old-fashioned Tico bar is an Escazú institution. Arenas has good bocas and a wide selection of domestic and imported beers. Owner don Israel is a true charmer, and has his photos with various heads of state on the walls, along with the agricultural implements that are de rigueur in any country bar.
reviewed
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K
Jungle
The 2nd-story terrace gives you a good vantage point for sizing up your prey, which is a good thing as this place can turn into an unabashed meat market. But, the vast majority of people here are looking for a hookup rather than opting to pay for one, so it definitely earns a small measure of respectability in our book.
reviewed
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L
Tabacon
Definitely one of the more modest night spots in town, Tabacon is a casually elegant lounge that occasionally hosts live music. The mature crowd passes the night away with carefully measured doses of hard liquor, while younger hotheads can let off a bit of steam at the pool tables and foosball.
reviewed
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Clarita’s Beach Hotel and Sports Bar and Grill
Part hotel and part watering hole, this sports bar sets the table with ample pub grub, and quenches the thirst with copious draft beer. Sports fans will appreciate being able to catch the game on the big screen, not to mention the cheerleader-esque bartenders and wait staff.
reviewed
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M
Le Loft
A highly touted addition to Jacó’s nightlife offering, the Loft aims to balance out the mix of beach clubs and girly bars with some much needed urban sophistication. Live DJs spin essential mixes while glam-aspiring customers do their best to look beautiful and act fabulous.
reviewed
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N
Río Bar
Just west of the fountain, this popular bar with an upstairs lounge has live bands on some nights and a pyrotechnic house drink called the cucaracha (cockroach). Early in the evening it’s a good spot to watch the rush-hour traffic crawl by in the company of an after-work crowd.
reviewed
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O
The Pub
The small American-owned pub has a list of more than two dozen international beers, a dozen local brews and a selection of shots with scary-sounding names like ‘Test Tube Baby’ and ‘Anti-Freeze.’ A greasy bar menu is available to soak up the damage.
reviewed
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P
Club Oh!
This massive dance club with an attached lounge attracts a mixed crowd of gays, lesbians and their allies. There’s drinking, dancing and midnight drag shows every Friday.
reviewed
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Club Gaira
This is Escazú’s new trendy, design-conscious club with a geometric-meets-tribal decor (think zebra pelts and striped couches), plus two bars, two dance floors and DJs that spin hip-hop, Latin and electronica. Admission charge varies.
reviewed
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Q
Rapsodia Lounge
A hyper-chic see-and-be-seen lounge clad in stark black-and-white furnishings has an extensive list of cocktails and a menu of Mediterranean-inspired dishes and snacks. Guest DJs can often be found setting the mood.
reviewed
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R
Sand Rock Bar
A raucous beer-swilling spot that gets rolling at 5pm and keeps going until the last customer leaves. Expect the soundtrack to be rock, rock and more rock – with some heavy metal thrown in to spice things up.
reviewed
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S
Unicornio Discotec
An almost exclusively local hangout near the northern end of the soccer field; Unicornio Discotec isthe only place in town that has Imperial on tap (pro), but also has karaoke (con).
reviewed
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T
Miraflores Discotheque
After a few rounds of beers, the party really kicks off at the Miraflores Discotheque, on the southern edge of the Parque Central, where locals get groovy to a mix of international beats.
reviewed
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U
Un Lugar
This small wood-lined bar serves as a neighborhood hangout that draws artsy types and young professionals for cold beer and bocas (₡1800 to ₡3300). This is a good spot for solo women travelers.
reviewed
