22 Best Nightlife in Puerto Rico

Set in a former Soda Factory, Antiguo 26 serves homemade sodas, craft cocktails, and creative tapas in a setting reminiscent of The Great Gatsby.

Bananas is the place for burgers and beer—and not necessarily in that order. There's occasional live music and dancing, and a Monday happy-hour special on bottles of Medalla, the local brew.

Dress to impress at this chic hotel dance club, where a long line of young people (21-plus) wait to get in Thursday through Saturday. Each of the two levels has its own DJ and dance floor.

On weekends the Calypso Café often has live music. The open-air establishment has a daily sunset happy hour and is a good place to grab fresh ceviche, grilled fish, or a juicy burger after you've had your fill of the beach.

Watch the island's expat community pile into this bar around sunset—it can be a raucous scene, especially when there's a band. The party continues into the wee hours, even on weeknights.

Hands-down, Duffy's is the most popular bar on the island, thanks to live music, daily specials, and a prime location on Esperanza's Malecón—not to mention the jawboning of owner Michael Duffy.

This legendary dive bar won't win any prizes for decor, but it has an irresistibly artsy and welcoming vibe. Add your own message to the graffiti-covered walls—they have a "B.Y.O.S." policy (Bring Your Own Sharpie)—or hang your business card alongside the hundreds that cover the light fixtures. The jukebox has the best selection of oldies in town, and locals crowd the back room for billiards.

Tucked away in an alleyway off Calle Fortaleza, Old San Juan's newest bar pays tribute to a world selection of natural wines. The lovely owners, an expat husband-and-wife team from New York, passionately serve their carefully curated wines that are farmed organically or biodynamically. It's a great place to start your night or end with a nightcap in a romantic setting. Pop-ups by local chefs are hosted monthly.

Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort has a rather cramped casino that's open 24 hours a day.

This small casino has 346 slot machines and 10 tables. It's open 24/7.

On the roof of Aire de O:live, this sexy, bohemian spot offers some of Isla Verde's best ocean views. The Japanese-inspired menu offers creative sushi rolls, charcoal-grilled skewers, sakanas (Japanese snacks served with sake), and a selection of excellent cocktails.

If you love beer, don't leave Puerto Rico without visiting Lúpulo. At the island's largest craft beer bar you'll find over 25 varieties on tap and more than 100 bottles of the finest European and American brews. This casual hipster bar is open late and a great option for night bites.

The island's favorite gringo watering hole is always jumping, with a weekday happy hour (4–6) and Saturday night's live music jam. Don't miss the bar's signature drink: the frozen Bushwhacker—a delicious but deadly mix of rum, vodka, Bailey's, amaretto, Kahlua, and coconut.

This microbrewery on the town square serves a great selection of local and craft beers. The food is also good, especially the fish tacos. There's live music on Thursday night during the Art Walk.

Scryer Rum is a small-batch, premium spirit that's distilled in Barbados and aged on-site in Old San Juan. The first floor is home to the finishing casks and a beautiful bar that evokes the Roaring '20s. The second floor has a small lounge, and the spacious rooftop overlooks the street. Tours are available by reservation.

Latin America's answer to the Hard Rock Cafe, Señor Frog's attracts both hard-partying tourists and the cruise-ship crowd—no surprise, as it's located directly in front of the dock. (Look for the giant inflatable frog.) The just-okay menu is a nod to Mexico, with south-of-the-border favorites like nachos and quesadillas. When it comes to drinks, expect quantity over quality; their signature is the Yard, a tall plastic cup filled with your favorite adult beverage. There's often live music, a ladies' night, or other special events.

A casual beachfront restaurant by day, Tamboo becomes a fun, loud hangout after dark. A DJ spins every Friday night, and there is live music every Saturday. Stop in for happy hour (daily 5–9).

This jazz bar right in the center of Ponce will make you feel transported into a James Bond movie. The elegant ambiance and skilled bartenders keep this spot feeling classy but still accessible and fun. There's also full menu options, but it really comes alive at night when the rest of the town begins to liven up.

The small casino at the Wyndham Candelero Beach Resort offers everything from blackjack to slot machines. The action is liveliest on weekends.

Pick a game—Caribbean stud poker, blackjack, slot machines—and then head to the Las Vegas–style casino at the Wyndham Grand Río Mar Resort & Spa. If all that betting makes you thirsty, step into the Players Club Bar, which is connected to the gaming room.