Spending An Evening In Old San Juan
Posted on Aug 15th, 2008 by Gwenn • Updated on Jan 15th, 2012
We get asked time and time again about things to do in Old San Juan in the evening. And you know what? There are actually lots of things to choose from!
We have done a self-guided walking tour, a guided night-time walking tour, ride a Segway, and have just gone out and have a drink. In addition to these ideas, we complied a list of live music and dance "shows" around town.
I’m not going to talk about the dance clubs in this article, though there are tons of great bars and dance clubs in and around Old San Juan to check out if you are in the mood to dance. Realize, most of these clubs don’t get going until well after 11:00pm. It’s in the clubs that you will find the Salsa, Merengue, Cha-Cha and Reggaton – the more popular of today’s dances.
The setting of Old San Juan is historic city, so it’s fitting that many of the shows are Flamenco, which reflect the history of the island, but you will find some other dances/music.
Every Night except Mondays
Live Salsa Music and Salsa Lessons
- Where: The Latin Roots in Old San Juan
- When: Every night except Mondays- Salsa lessons from 7pm, live music from 8:30pm (9pm on Saturday and Sunday nights)
- Cost: free for music and lessons before live music. To stay for live music show there is a cover charge. There is a restaurant and bar for drinks and dinner/late night snacks
- Contact: call 787-512-9050 for information
Monday Night
- DARK
- A free dance show that showcases the dances of Puerto Rico through the ages.
- Where: Fort San Cristobal, Central courtyard in Old San Juan
- When: Tuesday nights from 6:00pm until about 7pm
- Cost: Free with Fort admission ($3 adults,children 15 and under free.)
- Contact: call for more info (787) 722-1709
- The owner of Carli’s Bistro, Carli Munoz, is the ex-piano player for the Beach Boys. Carli plays Jazz on the acoustic grand piano most nights.
- Where: Carli’s Bistro, located on the first floor of the Banco Popular Building, corner of Recinto Sur and San Justo Streets in Old San Juan
- When: Tuesday nights from 8:00pm until 10:00pm
- Cost: no cover charge, dinner recommended
- Contact: call 787-725-4927 for more info or reservations
- Open Microphone night for poetry readings. Bi-lingual.
- Where: The Poet’s Passage Cafe/Store in Old San Juan
- When: Tuesday nights from 7:00pm until ?
- Cost: Free
- Contact: call for more info (787)567-9235
- The owner of Carli’s Bistro, Carli Munoz, is the ex-piano player for the Beach Boys. Carli plays Jazz on the acoustic grand piano most nights.
- Where: Carli’s Bistro, located on the first floor of the Banco Popular Building, corner of Recinto Sur and San Justo Streets in Old San Juan
- When: Wednesday nights from 8:00pm until 9:00pm. Jam session starts at 9:00pm-bring your instrument.
- Cost: no cover charge, dinner recommended
- Contact: call 787-725-4927 for more info or reservations
- Carli plays Jazz on the acoustic grand piano, with special guests.
- Where: Carl’s Bistro, located on the first floor of the Banco Popular Building, corner of Recinto Sur and San Justo Streets in Old San Juan
- When: Thursday nights from 8:00pm until 10:00pm
- Cost: no cover charge, dinner recommended
- Contact: call 787-725-4927 for more info or reservations
- Where: Old Harbor Brewery on corner of Recinto Sur and Tizol St in Old San Juan
- When: Thursday nights from 9:00pm until ?
- Cost: no cover charge, dinner recommended
- Contact: call 787-721-2100 for more information
- Where: The Museum of the Americas, on the 2nd floor of the Ballaja Barricks in OSJ
- When: 3rd Thursday of the month from 6pm- 9:00pm
- Cost: free
- Contact: call 787-724-5052 for more information
- Night Club featuring 2 floors of music- live music 1st floor, House music (Hip/Hop, R&B, Reggaeton on 2nd floor
- Where: Moreno’s Spot, on Tetuan St, in Old San Juan
- When: Thursday nights from 10:00pm until ? late
- Cost: no cover charge,
- Contact: call 787-724-5130 for more info
- Enjoy a free dance show with dinner featuring live music.
- Where: Barrachina Restaurant, 104 Fortaleza Street in Old San Juan
- When: Friday nights from 8:00pm until 9:00pm, dinner seating for show starts at 7pm
- Cost: reservations for the dinner show are necessary
- Contact: call 787-725-7912 for more information
- Where: Carli’s Bistro, located on the first floor of the Banco Popular Building, corner of Recinto Sur and San Justo Streets in Old San Juan
- When: Friday nights starting around 8:00pm
- Cost: usually no cover charge, dinner recommended
- Contact: call 787-725-4927 for more info or reservations
- Featuring live music.
- Where: The Parrot Club Restaurant, Fortaleza Street in Old San Juan
- When: Friday nights from 8:00pm , with dinner seating or at the bar.
- Cost: free for customers
- Contact: call 787-725-7370 for more information
- Night Club featuring 2 floors of music- live music 1st floor, House music (Hip/Hop, R&B, Reggeton on 2nd floor
- Where: Moreno’s Spot, on Tetuan St, in Old San Juan
- When:Friday nights from 10:00pm until ? late
- Cost: no cover charge,
- Contact: call 787-724-5130 for more info
- La Rumba is a Floating Night Club featuring a full service liquor bar.
- Where: San Juan Bay – departs from Plaza Darsena right by La Casita in Old San Juan
- When: Friday nights at 10:30pm, 12:30am and 2:30am
- Cost: adults $14, children (over 6 years old) $7, seniors $10
- Contact: call 787-375-5211 or 787-525-1288 for more info
- Where: Rosa de Triana Tapas Bar & Restaurant, 72 Caleta de San Juan (across from El Convento Hotel and the Cathedral) in Old San Juan
- When: Friday nights at 8:30pm
- Cost: dinner recommended
- Contact: call 787-722-1144 for more information
- Where: Old Harbour Brewery in Old San Juan
- When: Friday nights from 9:00pm until ?
- Cost: no cover charge, dinner recommended
- Contact: call 787-721-2100 for more information
- Where: Cafe la Princesa, on Paseo la Princesa
- When: Friday nights from 8:00pm until 12:00pm
- Cost: no cover charge, dinner recommended
- Contact: call 787-724-2930 for more information
- Where: Triana Tapas & Flamenco Restaurant, 251 Recinto Sur in Old San Juan
- When: Friday nights at 8:30pm
- Cost: dinner recommended
- Contact: call 787 725 8819 for more information
- Where: Old Harbour Brewery in Old San Juan
- When: Saturday nights from 9:00pm until ?
- Cost: no cover charge, dinner recommended
- Contact: call 787-721-2100 for more information
- Where: The Tablao de Paulette – 1st floor Ballaja building in Old San Juan (by El Morro)
- When: Saturday nights at 8:00pm
- Cost: $21.40/person, which includes tapas and refreshments
- Contact: call 787-775-9438 for tickets and reservations. Tickets may be available at the door.
- Featuring live music.
- Where: The Parrot Club Restaurant, Fortaleza Street in Old San Juan
- When: Saturday nights from 8:00pm , with dinner seating or at the bar.
- Cost: free for customers
- Contact: call 787-725-7370 for more information
- Enjoy a free dance show with dinner featuring live music.
- Where: Barrachina Restaurant, 104 Fortaleza Street in Old San Juan
- When: Saturday nights from 8:00pm until 9:00pm, seating for dinner show starts at 7pm
- Cost: reservations for dinner show are necessary
- Contact: call 787-725-7912 for more information
- Where: Triana Tapas & Flamenco Restaurant, 251 Recinto Sur in Old San Juan
- When: Saturday nights at 8:30pm
- Cost: dinner recommended
- Contact: call 787 725 8819 for more information
- Night Club featuring 2 floors of music- live music 1st floor, House music (Hip/Hop, R&B, Reggeton on 2nd floor
- Where: Moreno’s Spot, on Tetuan St, in Old San Juan
- When: Saturday nights from 10:00pm until ? late
- Cost: no cover charge,
- Contact: call 787-724-5130 for more info
- Where: Carli’s Bistro, located on the first floor of the Banco Popular Building, corner of Recinto Sur and San Justo Streets in Old San Juan
- When: Saturday nights starting around 8:00pm
- Cost: usually no cover charge, dinner recommended
- Contact: call 787-725-4927 for more info or reservations
- Where: Cafe la Princesa, on Paseo la Princesa
- When: Saturday nights from 8:00pm until 11:00pm
- Cost: no cover charge, dinner recommended
- Contact: call 787-724-2930 for more information
- La Rumba is a Floating Night Club featuring a full service liquor bar.
- Where: San Juan Bay – departs from Plaza Darsenas right by La Casita in Old San Juan
- When: Saturday nights at 9:30pm, 11:30pm, 1:00am and 2:30am
- Cost: adults $14, children (over 6 years old) $7, seniors $10
- Contact: call 787-375-5211 or 787-525-1288 for more info
- A free dance show offered by the Tourism company that showcases the dances of Puerto Rico through the ages.
- Where: Ballaja de Cuartel in Old San Juan
- When: Sunday nights from 5:00pm
- Cost: Free
- Contact: call for more info (787) 722-1709
- Featuring live music.
- Where: Toro Salao, Calle Tetuan in Old San Juan
- When: Sunday nights from 8:00pm
- Cost: $39 for dinner and show,$20 pp for just the show
- Contact: call 787-722-3330 for more information
- Only on the last Sunday of the month. This is an enjoyable evening attended by many older locals who all dance and sing along. Presented by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.
- Where: Plaza Darsena, on the waterfront next to La Casita in Old San Juan
- When: Sunday nights from 5:30pm – 8pm.
- Cost: free
- Where: On Paseo la Princesa, sponsered by Cafe la Princesa, o
- When: Sundays from 3:00pm until 5:00pm
- Cost: no cover charge
- Contact: call 787-724-2930 for more information
- La Rumba is a Floating Night Club featuring a full service liquor bar.
- Where: San Juan Bay – departs from Plaza Darsenas right by La Casita in Old San Juan
- When: Sunday nights at 7:30pm, 9:30pm, and 11:30pm
- Cost: adults $14, children (over 6 years old) $7, seniors $10
- Contact: call 787-375-5211 or 787-525-1288 for more info
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