Category: Bars
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Lubnan
While it’s not that close to Hostel Bekuo, this is where you are likely to find some of our guests and most certainly some of the staff on Wednesday nights. Negotiate the quirky wrought-iron-and-burlap revolving door at the entrance, and you’ve made it into one of San José’s few Middle Eastern restaurants. The Lebanese owners serve a wide variety of dishes from their native region, so if you can’t decide, the mezza serves two people and gives you a little bit of everything. For your own individual dish, try the juicy shish kebab de cordero (of lamb), or if you’re feeling especially adventurous, the raw ground-meat kebbe naye (with wheat meal) and kafta naye (without wheat meal). A hip bar in the back serves the same menu, and on Wednsesdays is the hot spot in San Jose featuring local Dj’s and an incredible mix of locals and young ex-pats.
Jazz Cafe - great live music and atmosphere in San Pedro
Jazz Cafe, located right on the Pan-American “highway” (it’s a two lane street) is a great place for food and drinks, while enjoying amazing live music. The atmosphere is a little up-sacale but not pretentious at all. Along the wall, there are hand made clay busts of the worlds most famous Jazz musicians. While it’s call Jazz Cafe, the live music ranges from Jazz, to rock, as well as some amazing 100% percussion shows.
Cover charges vary, depending on the prominence of the musical act, but usually fluctuate between US$4 and US$6 for local groups. It’s 50m west of old Banco Popular.
Vyrus - Fun Rock bar only a block away from your bed
The Vyrus bars is located in Los Yoses/San Pedro, just 2 blocks from Bekuo, and is considered one of the best bars for rock music in San Jose. While you definitely won’t be impressed by the decor (picture 80′s dive bar, then make it half as nice) but the music is great if you’re looking for a night of 80′s or 90′s flashbacks. The upstairs balcony overlooks the street and it’s refreshing to sit outside. They also have a large projection screen outside showing old music videos, it’s definitely entertaining. The prices are great and if you’r elooking for some decent, cheap bocas, then it’s a good spot. If you get bored, you can always head next door to Roots, San Jose’s most popular reggae bar.
Bar Rio - One of El Chepe's Oldest Establishments
Bar Rio, located on Avenida Central in Los Yoses, just west of Mall San Pedro, is one of the cities longest running bars. With a simple layout, fair prices, and some decent food, Rio has managed to outlast dozens of other bars that simply try too hard to do whatever they’re trying to do.
Located right on Avenida Central, Rio has become a regular stop for a lot of Chepenos trying to avoid the horrendous rush our traffic. Many will pull over, find a parking spot on the frontage road and have a couple of beers, while watching a football match and waiting for traffic to die down. The bar is also the preffered watering hole for guests from two of the areas hostels, Casa Yoses and Hostel Bekuo. For University of Costa Rica, Rio offers a more relaxed atmosphere than the craziness that is constant at La Calle de Amargura.
If you frequent Bar Rio, it won’t take long for the staff to remember you. Elvis and Manuel seem to be constantly on duty, and while elvis looks pissed off most of the time, and is constantly distracted by the beautiful women that frequent Rio, he still manages to keep a full beer on your table. Manuel is the kid of server that everyone in Costa Rica wishes they had working for them.
Last fall, Rio started a major remodeling operation, and even expanded the size of the bar by taking over the old Domino’s Pizza location next door. The front of the building and inside look brand new. There are new flat screens for enjoying sporting events, and the men’s room even has actual urinals, as opposed to a trough with water dripping in it like so many other bars in Costa Rica. they even picked up a new waiter, he’s the tall guy, but we haven’t gotten his name yet.
If you’re looking for good bar food, Rio has it. Don’t miss the chifrijo, a splendid mix of pork, beans and rice, with tostados on the side. For the bottomless stomach, there are many other great tapas or main dishes like filet mignon or enchiladas. Hours vary from dry season to rainy season, you can call to see if their open at 2225-8371.
