Practical information : Going out Puerto Rico
Timetable
Happy hour is usually offered Thursday through Sunday from 5pm to 7pm at most bars open in the evening.
Nightlife in San Juan, and Puerto Rico in general, starts before dark, around 5pm. The roadside chinchorros (food stands) can then turn into dance parties, mostly on weekends. In San Juan, especially in the neighborhoods of Condado, Calle Loíza and Placita de Santurce, clubs and bars stay open late into the night (until 2-3am for some, 5am for others). They close on Sunday and/or Monday, sometimes even on Tuesday. Some clubs stay open every day, so it is better to check with each establishment.
Budget & Tips
Salsa dancers will be able to enjoy themselves every night from 7pm on La Placita, in San Juan; every Friday night from 7pm onwards in the public square of Isabela, among others, and of course in many dancing bars in San Juan (Aguardiente, Taberna Los Vázquez, La Factoría, El Boricua, La Terraza de Bonanza, La Respuesta...) and elsewhere.
Night transport
You won't find public transportation after 10pm in San Juan. Even less in other cities. As a rule, cabs and carpooling (Uber) are the most convenient and safest ways to get to your accommodation after a party (especially if it's drunk). Another advantage: you will not have to worry about parking.
Age restrictions
The minimum age to purchase and consume alcohol in the United States is 21, including possession of alcoholic beverages. It is not forbidden to consume alcohol in public places in Puerto Rico, but do not drink a beer or a cocktail in the street or on the beach in a glass or can container, only cardboard or plastic glasses are allowed. That's why small establishments, which quickly overflow onto the sidewalk in the evening, serve drinks in plastic glasses (the use of plastic is another debate here).
What's very local
In Puerto Rico, we practice the chinchorreo, without moderation! Especially on weekends. It is about going to a small bar or restaurant(kioskos) without pretention to taste the local culinary specialties(alcapurrias, empanadillas, rellenos de papa,...), to sip a beer or a cocktail, to listen to music, to dance, to discuss, to have fun, to stretch the hours... In short, enjoy the moment and fill your heart with warm moments
Smokers
Smoking is prohibited in Puerto Rico in public places, which means virtually all enclosed spaces (restaurants, bars, clubs, discos, casinos, shopping malls, businesses, public transportation, hotel rooms...). You can smoke outside, as long as it does not affect others, in hotel rooms designated as "smoking rooms" and in cars when there are no children present. For a first offense, fines are around US$250, which apply to both the smoker and the owner of the establishment where the offense takes place.