Travel guide focusing on what to do after dark while on vacation in Ponce, Puerto Rico, including most popular nightlife spots for tourists.
Ponce, Puerto Rico is the second largest city on the island of Puerto Rico. With a population of 200,000, Ponce is much more laid back than San Juan, and more provincial, although this is changing. Nightlife in Ponce is also low key, usually revolving around relaxing with friends at a local bar or restaurant, gathering in the central plazas, or visiting casinos and nightclubs.
Casual attire for men such as jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers is the norm at most bars and restaurants. At some clubs, shirts with collars should be worn and sneakers may be prohibited. Shorts are not normally worn in the evenings, and never when eating at hotels or visiting casinos. Women tend to dress up more than men. Don't be surprised if you see evening gowns in the casino or at a music concert.
Casinos
Casinos in Ponce, and in Puerto Rico in general, are small and intimate with a definite tropical atmosphere. Casinos are located in the larger hotels and open to the public. The Ponce Hilton and The Holiday Inn of Ponce both have casinos. It is not necessary to be a guest at the hotel to play blackjack, roulette, poker, craps, or the slot machines.
Music and Dancing
Like most Puerto Ricans, Poncenos prefer live music. Popular types of music (and dancing) include merengue and bachata, imported from the Dominican Republic, salsa, imported from New York City, reaggaeton, a type of music similar to reggae but with a faster beat, and Spanish rock.
Discotheques are not very common. Holly's discotheque in the Holiday Inn features dance music with a DJ, usually on Friday and Saturday nights. Virus, another disco located in the center of Ponce, mainly plays reggaeton.
Bars
As in most places, nightlife tends to increase the closer is it to the weekend. Wine bars are rare but you might want to check out Tinto y Blanco located in Plaza Nuevo Mundo. Locals tend to drink imported beer or rum drinks, but Medalla, the local beer is quite good and worth trying. Also try several of the local dishes such as empanadas (small turnovers filled with meat), surullitos (made with cornmeal and fried) or tostones (fried plantains).
Bars featuring live music include the Pub Club, Bogglers, and Hollywood Cafe. The Pub Club, located at the Hotel el Tuque, is a large bar with billiard tables. It is a popular hangout after visiting the Ponce International Speedway near the hotel. The Hollywood Cafe and Bogglers are two bars that feature live Spanish rock bands on the weekends. Both are located in the Los Caobos section of Ponce.
Plaza de las Delicias and The Paseo
Strolling around Plaza de las Delicias is a romantic way to spend the evening in Ponce. Or for more action, take the chu-chu, a small train, to Ponce's boardwalk, Paseo Tablado La Guancha located in Playa de Ponce. There, you can stroll, people watch, maybe see some impromptu dancing, or sample the local food from the food carts that line the paseo.
Teatro La Perla
Music concerts, plays, musical shows, and pageants are all presented here, usually in the Spanish language. Call the theater for scheduled performances.
