Comments on: Top 5 Nightlife Destinations in San Jose, Costa Rica

By: Alex C

Alex C — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 20:22:02 +0000

Im going to Costa Rica with 2 of my buddies, im from Canada and cant wait to get down there. No clue where to go for the best spots to party every night and a place to sleep. any input? my email is npa_69@hotmail.com if anybody wants to add me and fill me with some knowledge.

Thanks

By: Erin R

Erin R — Mon, 26 May 2008 22:46:44 +0000

Hey Rodrigo, thanks for your input – I’m sure your list will be helpful to lots of site visitors. For my part, I’ve only been to Bochinche and Café Mundo… loved them both!

By: Rodrigo

Rodrigo — Mon, 26 May 2008 22:35:55 +0000

What about gay nightlife destinations, here is my list:

*Cafe Mundo- Perfect to start the night with a nice dinner and a cool drink. Trendy. Nice place for a talk. Barrio Amón.

*Club OH- Huge place, open bar (fridays and saturdays), electronic music (house, dance, breaks, techno, elektro, pop). Downtown next to Clinica Bíblica.

*Bochinche- Filled up crowded place, closes at 5am. Most people are aged around early 20’s. Open bar on fridays. Special shows wednesday, thursday and sunday. Downtown, Paseo de los estudiantes.

*La Avispa- Huge disco. Latin music and pop music (nice dancing). billard, cafeteria. Best day to visit is on sunday night. Downtown near Magisterio Nacional.

*Al Despiste- Small place with regular shows and karaoke nights. People age is around late 30’s. Music is not so loud to have a nice conversation.
Zapote, San José.

There are lots more gay and gay friendly bars in San José. I would invite you to go to this places even if you are not gay. I promise you will have lots of fun!

By: Erin R

Erin R — Sat, 24 May 2008 13:13:32 +0000

Thanks, I agree, I’m glad you’ve enjoyed these bars as much as I have!

By: I agree

I agree — Sat, 24 May 2008 03:46:54 +0000

I agree with Erin. I’ve been to all the bars on your list Jan multiple times because all my tico friends are super pipi and while they are upscale, classy, and often full of beautiful women, I contend that none of them are as much fun as the bars on Erin’s list.

By: Erin R

Erin R — Thu, 22 May 2008 23:17:05 +0000

Thanks, Dani! Your comment made my day.

By: dani

dani — Thu, 22 May 2008 23:16:15 +0000

Hi Erin!
I like your list
I really love el Cuartel! I go every monday!

No drugs for me too by the way, jaja!

pura vida!

By: Erin R

Erin R — Thu, 22 May 2008 22:46:15 +0000

Jan, while I understand your point, I have to disagree. Though San José is full of bars and nightclubs with very different styles, they are like almost everywhere in the world, with a diverse clientele that sometimes smokes, drinks to excess, or does drugs. Doesn’t matter which one you pick.

This list is composed of bars that my friends and I — tico, gringo, and otherwise — like, and not one of us is a druggie. They are not trash, but rather loud, fun places to go for a drink, some good music, and a long night of dancing. We just like to have fun, and these are all great places to do it.

Your list is very different than mine – mostly upscale, often home to people in designer clothing, and located in western San José. Classier? Probably, but there are often long lines and/or bodyguards that decide who’s in and who’s out. Though that’s not my style, I know that it’s appealing to a lot of San José visitors and residents. I like every bar on my list, and I stand by them all, but to give a different viewpoint, why don’t you consider writing your own list, and send it to the CRP editor?

By: Jan

Jan — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:53:21 +0000

I would not consider any of these 5 places to be TOP 5. They are all loud, dirty and full of druggies and pot smokers. If I were on the editorial board of this bar, I would encourage more research first before recommending trash.

Check out:

- Jazz Cafe (Escazu)
- Mas Tekila (Plaza Itskazu)
- Club Cubano (Guachipelin)
- Grappa Live (Santa Ana)
- Utopia (Santa Ana)
- Living (Santa Ana)

All of these places are some 15 minutes drive from downtown San Jose, lot nicer, cleaner, classier.