Though San José is not a guidebook favorite, it is undisputedly the king of Costa Rican nightlife. University bars line San Pedro’s Calle de la Amargura, small bars bump to the beats of cumbia and salsa songs, and the city itself overflows with dance clubs, bars, and combinations of the two.
Of course, after living here for awhile, you’ll find your own neighborhood favorites, but for the uninitiated, finding a place to spend your evening can be challenging. To help get you started, Costa Rica Pages has compiled the following list of some favorite San José nighttime hotspots:
- El Cuartel & La Esquina (2221-0327): With a drink menu that numbers more than 150, El Cuartel is known as one of the best bars in the country. On Monday nights, its doors open up to combine with next-door La Esquina, and both bars rock out with live music that ranges from Latin Rock to your favorite English-language cover songs. Located just across the street from Barrio California’s Cine Magaly.
- Jazz Café (2253-8933/2288-4740): Now with two locations — the classic Jazz Café in San Pedro and a newer version in Escazú — this area favorite is one of the country’s premier locations for live music. Their schedules are always packed full (Monday - Sunday) and the music eclectic, offering Afro-Caribbean syncopations, slow and sweet trova, and 70’s and 80’s cover bands. This is also one of the best locations to see the famous Malpaís, a popular Costa Rica band with a smooth fusion of traditional folkloric beats and a current style all their own.
- Castros (2256-8789): If you want to party the night away, but can’t decide between salsa or reggaetón, Castros is the ideal place for you. With multiple dance floors and a constant rotation of musical styles, this Barrio Mexico nightclub is a must-visit for un poco de todo.
- Tobogán (2223-8920): This downtown San José club is known for its incredible tropical beats and lively dance crowd - indeed, El Tobogán (The Slide) is one of the hippest salsa clubs in town. If you don’t know how to salsa (or merengue, or cumbia, or…), there’s always a friendly soul willing to lend a hand and initiate you into the wonderful world of tropical dancing. And if you’re a little nervous, don’t despair: with a dance floor built for 500 and a total club capacity of 1,100, your goofs will always be lost in the crowd.
- Vertigo (2257-8424): As the number one club in the country for electronica and techno, Vertigo is the place to be for fluid beats and rhythmic downtempo dance music. Set in a nondescript office building on Paseo Colón, the club doesn’t look like much from the outside, but its high interior ceiling, huge dance floor, delicious elixirs, classy VIP section and loud music are sure to hit the [nightclub] spot.
There are many places to spend the evening in San José, many secretly snuggled into to tiny corners, but these easy picks are a guaranteed good time if you are looking to follow the local crowds.
