nuyorican cafe

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I went here twice on a recent trip to San Juan. This place is not easy to find. You have to go down an alley. There's no sign. The live music was great and the atmosphere was good too. It seems like this is the best place for live salsa in Old San Juan. Everything else was closed relatively early or only had a DJ. I don't understand why Old San Juan doesn't have more live salsa music. I was disappointed that there weren't more options.

283tatianam

I personally love this place so much that I'd go back to Puerto Rico just to visit this place again. Even if you're not interested in dancing or you don't know how, you should still visit this place.Great band, great staff, amazing vibe!

VidaUrbanaPR

The Nuyorican Cafe is the BEST Salsa Cafe in San Juan, every Wednesday at 9 pm they offer free Salsa lessons to warm up and by 10.30 pm the grand house band is playing - this spot is simply full of positive vibes, great musicians and tropical, Latin spirit - don't miss it when you visit San Juan. Besides the awesome sounds and the wonderful people the drinks are great and economic, plus there chicken tortilla is the best midnight snack you can find in Old San Juan. Will be back soon!

Q4740POpaulc

We went there a few times. This is supposed to be a place for dancing salsa. However, the staff members are jealous of people dancing salsa. One of them even stopped me while dancing salsa and told me that theie space is not enough for dancing. It's a very small room and not enough room for dancing. It's not worth for 5 $ entry fee. La placita (near condado/santurce), is great and clubs do not charge to enter. La placita clubs have free salsa from thursday to sunday.

HOVEEAGLE

This venue is rightly acclaimed for being The Place to go to hear great music and to see great dancing ! On the night we visited the band playing was El Colombrican..if they are playing during your visit then do not miss this outstanding Salsa band, if you like Latin music then you will not hear better !We drank Margaritas during our visit, well made and reasonably priced. Service was quick and friendly.Altogether a memorable night out....

787nadias

This place is hopping with some of the best dancers around, both local and tourist. Anyone who hates on this place for being tiny clearly isn't an experienced salsera--the best clubs around the world always have a level of intimacy achieved from small dance floors. They are probably hating because they don't know how to dance well enough to maneuver in a small space. GIRL BYE And the live music?!?! YAAAAAASSSSSS!!!!!!Heavy pours from the bartenders, as well. Drinks? WinMusic? WinDancing? OWNED

Adventurer996

No women to dance with! As man this sucks! Bring your dance partner! As a professional salsa dancer this place has repeatedly been bad! The problem is there are no other options! It is sad! SAN JUAN has such a beautiful sense and history of great music and dance!

439lisbethf

Belive it or not this was the only Public place we actually heard salsa and live top which was amazing.. beers whrre cheap. A lot of people from all over the world. My boyfriend and I danced our Butts off our way lol. It was so much fun. $5 dollar entrance fee per person was Def worth it!

daisyir

This place is a hidden little salsa dance spot with people hustling to get tourists in. There is a $5 cover for a small dance space and a live band that starts around 11:30 then plays maybe 5 songs then takes about an hour break. The band was okay. Major mic feedback issues and the volume was so loud my ears started to hurt. I couldn't have a conversation with my bf because his ears were muffled completely. Even the speaker overload signal was flashing red! If you're a single lady, chances are you'll get asked to dance by one of the few local men who know how to move! Pluses and minuses for this place make it an average place for me. If you're bored and want something to do other than sit at a bar, give it a whirl.

Ellen28

Friends inquired about an authentic place to dance and locals sent us here. 5$ to get in and 5$ for a rum and coke on a Friday night with a live band. It's on the small side and the dance floor was full. I'm not a dancer, but it's interesting to watch the locals show off their talents. If you're into salsa, then this is your place.

AngieM301

We went looking for this cosy salsa cafe after finding out it was the most authentic salsa spot in town. It wasn't easy to find but between the phone GPS and my ear out for Latin beats we got there. No advertising - simply a doorway from an alley and a guy asking if I liked to salsa. We knew we were in the right place then. The place became progressively more crowded as time went on but the live salsa set kicked off about 11pm and then the floor was jammed. We had a great night but forewarn you that there is very little space to sit or dance. The band certainly makes up for that though so be sure to spend a night there!

524aprilc

This place had two great bands. Live music and salsa dancing - what's not to love. It was a great place and even though my husband does not like to dance he thought the bands were great. It was a little tricky to find but just listen for the music. Only a $5 cover charge and the drinks were $4-6 a piece. Great place!

jodil149

Check out their website for dancing after dinner at Marmalade just around the corner....go EARLY!!! It is a small venue so if you want to enjoy the music before the crowd gets there..go 7-8pm -ish...you will love it!

GodsWoman7

This was our 1st nightlife experience in Old San Juan town, it was wonderful. My girlfriend and I took some salsa dance lessons, there was a live band when we visited, and it was a nice, quaint, unassuming place to just chill (that was not too rowdy and congested). This was the 1st Annual BBB (Beauty, Brains and Business ) Exotic Girl's vacation that me and my friends will be doing annually. Puerto Rico was nice place to begin.

joshuar216

My wife and I were recommended by a local Puertican couple to visit this location. Down a alley off of San Francisco street it sits in Old San Juan. Just FYI, there is a $5 cover--but, don't worry, it is well worth the charge! :) We called earlier and the gentleman we spoke to spoke and who severed the bar spoke very good English. Grab a local beer and order your meal from the bar. The meals varied out of the four of us, but each were very good. At 9:30pm the love music was going, but there were hardly anyone there. By 11pm the dance floor was packed with couples salsa dancing. It was a phenomenal experience to see!