Where To Go Clubbing In Antigua

Antigua is better known for its colonial architecture and cobbled streets than for its thumping nightlife, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t great places to let your hair down. While overall the nightlife scene is pretty mellow (law dictates that all bars and clubs must close by 1am), there are other opportunities to party into the night, should you wish to. Here’s where to go clubbing in Antigua.

Lucky Rabbit

Once a cinema, Lucky Rabbit is now one of the most popular night spots in town. It’s basically a guaranteed good night, and the young crowd, beer pong tables and projected movies on the walls enhance its buzzing atmosphere. The music is good, too, with separate areas for house and dance. Like all bars in Antigua, it shuts at 1am, but if you want to continue the party, Lucky Rabbit is the starting point for the infamous Antigua rave at an abandoned swimming pool…

Swimming Pool Rave

The abandoned swimming pool rave might sound dodgy, but it’s not! The set up is completely legitimate: there are bouncers, a DJ, a bar that accepts credit cards, lights and booming speakers; there are even food carts serving tacos all night long. Make sure you bring enough cash to cover the night as obviously there are no ATMS here. The cover charge is 40 quetzales.

Las Vibras de la Casbah

If you want to party the night away (or until 1am), Las Vibras de la Casbah is a good choice. Located near the Santa Catalina arch, this split-level disco has a dance floor that’s always packed. The music is a mix of local and Latin, hip-hop and electronic, though as the night progresses it becomes more electro-focused. There’s an open-air terrace at the front if you need a bit of fresh air after dancing.

Café No Se

Bar, Cafe

While this is more of a dive bar than a club, Café No Se is known for being one of the best places to party in the city. Famous for being the first mezcal bar outside of Mexico, this candlelit bar is full of artistic characters, quirky decor and thumping live music. The shadowy bar is also one of the best places in the city to enjoy a bit of people-watching, but as the night grows late it’s also used as a makeshift dance floor.

La Sala

If you want to get your groove on, Guatemalan-style, check out La Sala. This boisterous hall pumps out Latin rhythms most nights, and both resident and visiting DJs keep the crowds on their feet (helped along by plenty of cheap booze). Happy hour is from 5pm to 9pm every night, and on Fridays live bands play on the roof terrace.

Reilly's

Again, while it’s not an actual club, Reilly’s holds a key position in Antigua’s nightlife scene. This is a proper Irish tavern – a serious drinking bar, the place in the city to go if you feel like getting inebriated. It’s been new and improved, and has no fewer than four bars, a decent deck, pool table, good food menu, live music and, of course, Guinness on tap.

Whisky Den & Coffee Bar

Bar

Located just north of Parque Central, Whisky Den & Coffee Bar is a great place to kick off your night.. and perhaps end it. This cool bar offers a varied selection of world-class whiskeys and coffee, so it’s perfect if you need a pick-me-up. Open from morning until the last customer leaves, the Antigua curfew isn’t always enforced here.