Let’s get started with the best gay bars in San Juan, Puerto Rico – I think it is fair to say that you are going to have a great time in these gay bars. There is a good selection, some aimed at different crowds and each serving a different scene.
The first four gay bars in San Juan mentioned below, SX The Club, Toxic, El Purgatorio and Kweens are all within a block of each other in Santurce. Beyond that there are some in the Old Town of San Juan and some others dotted around but never more than a short taxi journey away from each other.
If you want to do a little gay bar crawl in San Juan, Santurce is a good spot so you can try a few options. However, location wise, the Old Town is a much prettier area and then venue wise, Meet Macerena which is ten minutes south of Santurce is my favorite overall.
Make sure to also check out these gay hotels in Puerto Rico, also these gay beaches in Puerto Rico or if you want it all – my Complete Gay Guide to Puerto Rico.
Let me share the best gay bars in San Juan with you…
The Best Gay Bars in San Juan, Puerto Rico
SX The Club
SX The Club was one of my favorite gay bars in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I went here twice, including for my birthday.
SX often runs different events and sometime has a small cover charge depending on the night. They have two good sized rooms, each playing different music, as well as friendly bar staff.
What the gay bar in San Juan is best known for however, is its pitch black area. It’s a good sized area, but the name in this case is quite literal – it is pitch black. I prefer to see who I am ‘saying hello to’ so you’ll find me on the dancefloor, but you can also go from the dancefloor to the other area if you like.
Toxic
Similar concept to SX with music, drag queen peformances and themed nights. You will also find Toxic in the Santurce area.
Toxic often has drinks offers such as 2×1 and often no cover charge.
El Purgatorio
If you are looking for a gay bar for bears in San Juan, then head to El Purgatorio.
This is where you will find bear nights, land other theme nights etc.
Kweens Klub
Kweens Klub (KK), located in the heart of Santurce in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and dubs itself as the premier LGBTIQ+ nightclub of the island.
Their main attraction, as the name suggests, are the drag shows including on occassion, international celebrity guests.
They offer free cover on Wednesday and Thursday, cover fees apply for events and Friday and Saturday.
Meet Macerena / Macerena Bar
Outside of Santurce, just a ten minute drive fro the above gay bars, this was my favorite gay bar in Puerto Rico.
When I went it was called Meet Macerena (it’s Instagram still is) but it seems to have rebranded as simply Macerena Bar.
This was had a good sized bar and dancefloor area inside and then outside a very large area for relaxing, dancing, drinking and for shows. I loved that it had a little bit of everything here and plenty of different spaces – it also had a very stylish crowd.
The cocktails here were particularly good, and I am fussy when it comes to cocktails!
La Sombrilla Rosa
Over to Old San Juan, La Somrilla Rosa is a very cute queer bar to visit in Old San Juan.
El Cafetin
Not a gay bar per se, but with the bartenders performing each night you can see why this is indeed popular with the gays.
Well worth a visit and a great vibe! Start your night here perhaps – go check out my Instagram Reel if you want to see what everyone is thirsting over.
The Atlantic
Heading to the beach, The Atlantic is a beachfront bar and restaurant which is part of the Tryst Hotel (a luxury boutique gay hotel). This becomes extra busy on ‘gay sundays’ where they host a drag brunch and the beach in front of the hotel turns into the gay beach.
Oasis Tapas & Lounge
An innocent enough name, and yet on Mondays this gay bar in San Juan has a blackout night which turns the entire place into a pitch black space. The only light inside is from a candle at the bar which the bartender uses to make drinks!
This is near Condado beach (one of the gay beaches in Puerto Rico) so is often busy with beach goes at the end of the day at the weekend.
Mike’s Bar “El Cojo”
A more local and casual gay bar with a small dance floor.
La Cantina
Small local gay bar with karaoke. Reviews mention a mix of straight and gay in the crowd and that the drag show was very entertaining.
LadyBug
The only gay bar in San Juan where you can be the DJ using their app. Enjoy cocktails, wines, and tapas in Ladybug’s positive atmosphere. Check out whats coming up on their Instagram
Clearly there is plenty of gay bars in San Juan to keep everyone happy! My go to suggestions would be Macerena, El Cafetin and SX The Club. Enjoy!