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Spending An Evening In Old San Juan

Posted on Aug 15th, 2008 by • Updated on May 7th, 2013

Traditional Puerto Rican Dance ShowWe 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.

Various Nights

3D light show
  • A free 30 mins 3D light and sound show tells the story of Puerto Rico.
  • Where: Courtyard of the Cuartel de Ballaja (right across the street from El Morro Fort)
  • When: nights vary- check schedule , runs from 7pm-9pm every 45 mins or so
  • Cost: Free
  • Contact: check http://www.facebook.com/ballaja.mayor for the newest schedule
    • Monday Night

      • DARK
        • Tuesday Night

          Live Jazz at Carli’s Bistro
          • 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 7:15pm until 10:00pm
          • Cost: no cover charge, dinner recommended
          • Contact: call 787-725-4927 for more info or reservations
            • Open Mic Poetry Readings
              • 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

                Wednesday Night

                Live Jazz at Carli’s and Jam Sesson
                • 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 7:15pm 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

                Thursday Night

                Live Jazz at Carli’s Bistro
                • 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 7:15pm until 10:00pm
                • Cost: no cover charge, dinner recommended
                • Contact: call 787-725-4927 for more info or reservations
                Live Music Bohemio
                • 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
                Nocturnos de Museo- Night at the Museum and music
                • 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
                • 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
                • Friday Night

                  Flamenco Dance Show
                  • 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
                  Carli Munoz Jazz Trio at Carli’s Bistro
                  • 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
                  Live Music Show
                  • 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
                • 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 Party Cruise
                  • 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 $15, children (over 6 years old) $7, seniors $10
                  • Contact: call 787-375-5211 or 787-525-1288 for more info
                  Flamenco Dance Show
                  • 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
                Live Music Bohemio
                • 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
                  • Live Jazz Music
                    • 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
                    Flamenco Dance Show
                    • 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
                      • Saturday Night

                  Live Music Jazz
                  • 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
                Live Music Show
                • 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
                Flamenco Dance Show
                • 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
                Flamenco Dance Show
                • 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
                Live Jazz
                • Live Jazz music- 1st floor
                • Where: Moreno’s Spot, on Tetuan St, in Old San Juan
                • When: Saturday nights from 8pm
                • Cost: no cover charge,
                • Contact: call 787-724-5130 or 787-705-8781 for more info
                Night Club
                • 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
                • Carli Munoz Jazz Trio at Carli’s Bistro
                  • 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
                  Live Jazz Music
                  • 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 Party Cruise
                  • 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, 1am, 2:30am
                  • Cost: adults $15, children (over 6 years old) $7, seniors $10
                  • Contact: call 787-375-5211 or 787-525-1288 for more info

                  Sunday Night

                Live Music Show
                • 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
                • Romantic Sunsets Trio Concerts
                  • 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
                  Live Salsa Music
                  • Where: On Paseo la Princesa, sponsered by Cafe la Princesa
                  • When: Sundays from 3:00pm until 5:00pm
                  • Cost: no cover charge
                  • Contact: call 787-724-2930 for more information
                  La Rumba Party Cruise
                  • 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 $15, children (over 6 years old) $7, seniors $10
                  • Contact: call 787-375-5211 or 787-525-1288 for more info

PuertoRicoDayTrips.com assumes no responsibility regarding your safety when participating in the activities described in this article. Please use common sense! If your mother or that little voice in your head tells you that you are about to do something stupid ... then don't do it! Read more about Safety →

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