10 Best Bars in Old San Juan, San Juan

La Factoría, the former Hijos de Borinquen, is hands down the best cocktail bar in San Juan. Here, artisanal drinks are crafted with the highest-quality ingredients. Many bitters are homemade, as is the ginger beer, which is used in the popular Lavender Mule. Whether it's sweet, spicy, bitter, or something completely out of the box, these drinks will blow your mind. Behind the bar, there is a secret wooden door that leads to Vino Wine Bar, which has a great speakeasy feel. Tasty tapas are available and can be enjoyed in the adjacent room. These bars stay open till sunup, and a DJ spins in the back room on weekends. Salsa is played on Sunday and Monday. There's no sign on the door, so just look for the terra-cotta building at the corner of San Sebastián and San José.

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

As the name suggests, this small bar is known for its beers and its small but tasty selection of baked empanadas. Ask for the homemade sauces.

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.

El Cafetín is a high energy bar ideal for birthdays, bachelorettes, or those seeking an LGBTQIA+ friendly setting. Fit male bartenders are part of El Cafetín's marketing strategy. If you tip enough, you can ring the bell for a surprise.

Tucked away in an alleyway off Calle Fortaleza, this bar pays tribute to a world selection of natural wines. The lovely owners, a 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.

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.

This lively, three-story bar has spectacular views of La Perla and the Atlantic. On weekends, it's popular with locals (be prepared to wait in line) who come to sip flavored mojitos, local beer, or rum with fresh juice. In addition to limited seating on the second and third floors, there are some outdoor tables across the street. On Sunday, there's live music in the adjacent alleyway (Callejón de la Tanca). The bar has a second San Juan location, across the street from La Concha hotel.

Set in the former headquarters of the Nationalist Party, this contemporary take on a 1920s speakeasy is a chic space that's conducive to sipping a creative cocktail. Tapas are served all day, making this an even more refreshing stop after walking the hills of Old San Juan. Although the Mezzanine is typically closed on Monday, from Tuesday to Friday it hosts one of the best happy hours in town, with half-price select tapas and cocktails. You can't beat that in San Juan! Weekend brunch is also very popular.

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.