Entertainment in San José
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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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Bar Chavelona
Nestled amid a row of auto body shops on the west side of town (in other words: take a taxi), this renowned bar, which dates back to 1927, was the spot where Costa Rican author Carlos Luis Fallas (1909–66) once enjoyed happy hour in the company of the local intelligentsia. The bohemian atmosphere is long gone – replaced by an ’80s decor that screams Duran Duran – but it remains a pleasant Tico spot for beer and bocas (savory bar snacks).
reviewed
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C
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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D
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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E
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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La Avispa
A gay establishment that has been in operation for more than three decades, La Avispa has a bar, pool tables and a boisterous dance floor that’s been recommended by travelers. There are lesbian nights twice a month.
reviewed
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El Túnel de Tiempo Disco
If you've had it up to your maracas with salsa music coming at you from all directions and want something more electronic, then make tracks to this place, which starts pumping out the techno late at night and keeps it going till the break of dawn.
reviewed
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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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Luna Roja Café
This place is a bastion of young, hip and trendy josefinos so leave the chinos at home, wear something black and try to look cool. It has a ladies night every Monday and even features the occasional Goth night.
reviewed
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Complejo Salsa 54 y Zadidas
This vast 2nd-story club is a good place to shake it if you want to go Latin, playing a mix of merengue, salsa, cumbia and Latin swing. Be prepared to cut some serious rug here – the local dancers are expert salseros.
reviewed
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K
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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Pucho’s Nightclub
More low-rent (and significantly raunchier) than some is this gay male outpost that features scantily-clad go-go boys and over-the-top drag shows.
reviewed
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L
La Embajada
This cavernous, smoke-filled spot – occupied largely by men – is an ideal daytime drinking dive. Its main advantage is that if anyone asks where you’re headed, you can simply say ‘The Embassy.’
reviewed
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M
Bochinche
A club that features everything from classic disco to electronica, as well as special themed nights. As this club is on the south side of town, it can get rough after dark.
reviewed
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N
Hotel del Rey
A jam-packed shocking-pink building offers everything from roulette to slot machines and what has to be the highest density of prostitutes in the city.
reviewed
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O
Bar Twister
Catering to the Jaegermeister crowd, this cavernous club has nightly DJs that play contemporary international and Latin music.
reviewed
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Teatro Fanal
Adjacent to the contemporary art museum, it puts on a variety of works, including children’s theater – all in Spanish.
reviewed
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Q
Tarrico
A popular watering hole where hard-drinking josefinos pile in to play foosball and hit the dance floor.
reviewed
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R
Auditorio Nacional
A grand stage for concerts, dance theater and plays – and the site of the Miss Costa Rica pageant.
reviewed
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Teatro Variedades
An old show palace that dates from 1894 screens independent and Hollywood films.
reviewed
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Ebony 56
A sprawling disco spins a mix of reggae, dance hall, hip-hop and reggaetón.
reviewed
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