Entertainment in Nicaragua
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A
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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B
El Chamán
Young scenesters gather at this popular dance club. Live music on Thursday.
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…
reviewed
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C
Teatro Municipal José de la Cruz Mena
Check the board in front of this attractive 1885 theater to see what's on during your visit. It's been impressively restored, and for around US$2 you may be able to catch anything from Salvadoran rock groups to art films to the national ballet on the very accessible stage. Hey, 14-year-old Rubén Darío did his first poetry here; who knows what sort of up-and-comers you'll catch. The board often lists other cultural events going on in the city.
reviewed
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D
Teatro Nacional Rubén Darío
One of the few buildings to survive the 1972 earthquake, groovy Teatro Nacional Rubén Darío has big-name, international offerings on the main stage, but try to catch some experimental jazz or performance art in the smaller Sala Experimental Pilar Aguirre, which usually has a lower cover and more interesting work. Shows and schedules are listed in the paper.
reviewed
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E
Pírata
Pírata has live music on Friday, tasteful Cuban music most other days, expensive cocktails, an outdoor bar and an elaborate pirate theme that includes booths inside a Spanish galleon and fountains with fake treasure and real turtles. It's upscale; the US$30 signature boca (appetizer) is lobster baked in a pineapple with cheese, served with white wine.
reviewed
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F
Zona Hippo's
Wanna go where everybody knows your name? Globalization has arrived and it's called Hippo's Grill & Tavern, with nine different burgers, next door to affiliated Woody's Sports Bar, with 15 different types of hot wings. Both have Caesar salads, plenty of 'flair,' nonthreatening rock music and very full bars. There's another outlet by the Santo Domingo mall.
reviewed
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G
La Casa de los Mejía Godoy
Living legends Carlos and Luis Enrique Mejía Godoy, whose folk music explorations into the heart of Nicaraguan culture have become church hymns and revolutionary standards since they first started laying down riffs in the 1960s, have their own intimate venue. Here you can watch them and similarly inclined friends play. Make reservations.
reviewed
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El Bus Pelón
Follow the thumping disco beat to find 'The Bald Bus,' its classic Bluebird styling enhanced by having the entire roof torched right off, all the better to share its impressive sound system with the people. Adult beverages are also available. You can catch it at the parque central, or as it runs around the city until the wee hours.
reviewed
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H
Ruta Maya
Look around for flyers with monthly listings of the happenings at this thatch-roofed venue, which range from Bee Gees cover bands to Caribbean palo de mayo to son nicaragüense (traditional Nicaraguan folk music). Traditional Nicaraguan food is served buffet style at lunch.
reviewed
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I
Disco Bohemio
Almost always packed, this hot spot, close to Don Señor, is popular with locals and tourists alike. Nearby, Salon Estrella may be an Old West-themed casino, complete with staff in ten-gallon hats, but mosey on past the slot machines to the popular bar in the back.
reviewed
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Ricardo's Bar
Ricardo's Bar, a beachfront expat institution with great gringo grub and a book exchange, is a fine place to kick back with a cold one and meet the neighbors. There are free movies on Monday and Thursday nights, DJs on Wednesday, and live music when it comes around.
reviewed
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Bar-Restaurant Los Ídolos
A small, dark, and impossibly hip restaurant, fronted with the aforementioned idols and packed to the wide and sparkly brim with mariachi musicians on their tequila break, this is the rock upon which Bello Horizonte's party scene was built. The pizza's good, too.
reviewed
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J
Shannon Bar
The classic bar in this area, this Irish pub is an expat gathering spot and one of the only places in town where you can get a cold Guinness tallboy, Old Holburn rolling tobacco, and big plate of bocadillo Irlandes, aka bangers 'n' mash.
reviewed
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Caña Brava
Out on the ring road toward Chinandega, this elegant spot claims to have the best steak in town, and the 'filete bravo,' in chili sauce, may convince you. There's live music and dancing on weekends, and outdoor seating if that's a bit much.
reviewed
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K
El Toro Loco
El Toro Loco gets packed on reggae nights, while Chapo's Bar & Grill, the new hot spot, serves steak, allows smoking in the open-air bar and hosts all-night reggae parties on weekends, conveniently right next to the budget hotels.
reviewed
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L
Don Señor
One block north of the plaza, this place is more than just a hot nightspot - it's three. There's a disco upstairs, a relaxed bar (with dance floor) downstairs, and the restaurant-pub El Alamo around the corner. It's open till 04:00.
reviewed
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Café Nuit
Café Nuit features live music on Friday and Saturday, and has a lush outdoor courtyard with round tables beneath the palms. Inside, the old colonial home has been transformed into a lounge, enjoyed largely by a Nica crowd.
reviewed
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Maché Bar
Maché Bar is a late-night place, which gets packed for Tuesday's open mic; but show up anytime for a decent steak, cold brew and good conversation. This is where the city's other bartenders relax after their last call.
reviewed
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Mi Tierra Bar & Restaurant
The disco goes especially late on Saturday and Sunday, but Fridays are Noches Bohemias, with drink specials and live music. Giant video screens, a very full bar and cheap food round out your night.
reviewed
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M
El Matchico
A comfortable, relaxed spot to get your drink on, with a 'What if the Aztecs discovered Europe first?' theme. Jazz music, sometimes live, and French bocas keep things interesting.
reviewed
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Payitas Bar & Cafetín
Catercorner from Don Señor, this after-hours drinking spot is a landmark and tradition, and has a terrace with a view. Fried food that may be several days old is also available.
reviewed
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Hipa Hipa
Not just a club, but the club, with a dress code, Euro styling, imported DJs and 'a better class of people' (between 18 and 22), as one pudgy scenester suavely put it.
reviewed
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La Fábrica
Granada's hottest dance spot, La Fábrica, was closed at the time of research - if it's reopened, slip into your sexiest outfit and get ready to party into the wee hours.
reviewed
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Otangani Disco
The original SJDS disco, the mirrored balls and colored lights start spinning at 21:00, but the in-crowd doesn't show up until at least 23:00, primed for an all-night party.
reviewed