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
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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'.
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.
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…
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…
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…
Caribbean Coast
Locals descend on this sociable watering hole after work to knock back cold beers to a classic rock soundtrack. Also serves up fairly decent meals (US$4-7…
Granada
This lakeside bar is a spot for a cold beer by the water, with young locals dancing to loud reggaeton into the wee hours on weekends.
Managua
One of the few gay bars with any longevity in town, Tabú’s dance floor gets going on weekends (cover charge varies by night).
Caribbean Coast
This large air-con disco space by the water plays a mix of dancehall, reggae and Latin pop to keep the young crowd moving.
León
Corner bar, popular with students and with live sports on TV. There's usually live music on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Little Corn Island
Set back behind some houses in the Village, this dark reggae dance hall doesn't get busy until late. Most patrons just hang out around the benches and…
Caribbean Coast
Sooner or later, anyone on a big night out ends up at this rustic dance hall, half a block from Parque Central. It's a little sketchy but has plenty of…
