Managua
No self-respecting coffee connoisseur should miss out on visiting this altar to the coffee bean, whose owner comes from generations of coffee farmers and…
Must-see nightlife in Nicaragua
Northern Highlands
A groovy bohemian bar (and guaranteed ranchero-free zone) with occasional, hip live-music performances and cultural events. The young owners are very…
Managua
The pick of the neighborhood bars, hip and relaxed Estación Central is your first port of call for the best range of Nicaraguan craft beers, from the…
Caribbean Coast
Dance up a storm to dancehall, country and reggae on the wooden dance floor at this legendary disco ranch, comfortable in the knowledge that your dignity…
Northern Highlands
Quite simply the best cup of coffee in town, and possibly on all of the Ruta de Café, this charming place is run by Soppexcca, a union of local coffee…
Corn Islands
This all-wood open-air bar, right by the road just south of the airport, pulls a crowd when everywhere else is empty and is generally held by locals to be…
San Juan Del Sur
A great addition to 'gringo street', this small tiki-style bar serves really good cocktails – the passionfruit mojitos and the watermelon margaritas, in…
Estelí
Get down with the good working people of Estelí, Tisey and Miraflor at a proper ranchero bar. This indoor/outdoor club with a palapa (thatched) roof and…
Managua
The brainchild of a young French entrepreneur, Art Factory wears many hats and we like all of them. It's a swanky yet chilled-out space for an intimate…
Matagalpa
Pretty slick for the northern highlands, this modern cafe serves up good hot and cold coffee-based drinks using single-origin beans from around the region…
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…
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…
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…
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…
San Juan Del Sur
A long-time expat fixture on the scene, Big Wave Dave's serves up all sorts of American comfort food, while regulars knock back beers around the bar…
Granada
This place wears many hats and we like all of them. It's a small lounge-bar with a good list of cocktails and local craft beers (come for happy hour). In…
San Juan Del Sur
When you're tired of Toña and rum, this cool French-style bar should be your first stop: it does martinis, White Russians, and gin and tonics – to name…
Matagalpa
Hands down the coolest bar in town and a fiercely popular meeting point for Matagalpa's students and in crowd. There’s an all-dark-wood dining room, a…
Corn Islands
At the far side of South End, this laid-back local watering hole has several tables out the back overlooking rock pools full of fish and across the sea to…
San Juan Del Sur
A sedate place for a beer during the day, this place heaves to DJ sets by night. Arribas is an active participator in Sunday Funday and attracts a fun and…
León & Northwestern Nicaragua
A refreshingly frosty escape from Chinandega heat, this hip coffee shop serves a full range of hot and cold caffeinated beverages, as well as sweet and…
Managua
This popular bar and lounge in the emerging zona viva, the nightlife zone behind the Santo Domingo mall, is a favorite pre-dance spot for scenesters.
León
The hottest dance club in the city center with plenty of sleek, modern styling, bright young things, occasional live bands and 'Techno Saturdays'.
Northern Highlands
The coolest dive bar in the northern highlands has timber tables, a dark-wood interior, a lively late-night crowd and tasty beef fajitas (US$5).
San Juan Del Sur
Where else in Nicaragua can you pair watching hockey on the big screen with a nice plate of poutine and an ice-cold beer?
Caribbean Coast
A two-story open-air bar with unbroken sea views, the 'Sea Dog' is the perfect place for an afternoon tipple.
Estelí
Run by the family behind the Pullaso’s Ole steakhouse, this street-side cafe serves up great coffee using freshly roasted beans from Dipilto, one of the…
Little Corn Island
Little Corn Island's most popular after-hours hangout. Full of local flavor, the sweaty pool hall is a hotbed of hustling and competition, and the music…
Caribbean Coast
This popular, massive late-night venue has two very distinct zones. The open terrace bar downstairs is favored by hard-drinking seafarers and prostitutes,…
San Juan Del Sur
The original SJDS disco. The mirrored balls and colored lights start spinning at 9pm, but the in-crowd doesn’t show up until at least 11pm, primed for a…
Estelí
On the highway a few blocks from the park, this 2nd-floor bar is the most popular late-night option in town. It has a wide balcony overlooking the street,…
Estelí
This corner cafe on the main drag is the preferred destination for Estelianos to gossip with friends and watch the comings and goings. The java is pretty…
León
In the unsigned orange building in front of the basketball court, this is your classic Latin disco – plenty of reggaetón and bachata (romantic Dominican…
Managua
There are a few little outdoor bars like this in the area, but this one consistently gets a good crowd. A range of snacks and more substantial meals …
Corn Islands
Sit on stools overlooking the multihued sea out on the grass foreshore and enjoy quality coffee prepared on the island's only espresso machine. Also…
Estelí
Where Estelí intellectuals gather to sip caffeine, debate politics and culture, and munch tasty waffles. On Friday evenings there is often live music by…
Northern Highlands
Pull up a chair on the deck of this tranquil, open-air cafe within the leafy central park and enjoy a variety of coffees made from quality local beans…
Granada
One of the most popular pubs with tourists along the Calzada, O'Sheas has friendly service, cold beer and hit-and-miss pub grub. Attracts its share of…
