El Farolito

Our experience was amazing. Drinks were carefully crafted, the bartender and the owner were so great. We learned so much about the area and the history behind a lot of the rums local to Puerto Rico. Such a great experience!

This bar is amazing. Yes, it’s small. Yes, it’s a hole in the wall. Yes, it has no pretenses. But no, it’s definitely not a dive bar. The bartenders are mixologists who clearly care a lot about the quality of their drinks. It was by far the best bar we experienced in San Juan. I wish I could relocate it to my neighborhood in Brooklyn!

This small hole in the wall cocktail bar is a hidden gem in old San Juan. Where most bars that you go into are more than happy to sling you tropical fruity drinks with premixed recipes out of a large vat, El Farolito puts a personal touch in each cocktail. The mixologist here uses blends of classic cocktail techniques with new twists to create some amazing adventures for your palate. When you sit down for a drink do not be afraid to try drink with egg in it, or with finished off with a lime or orange burnt cap. El Farolito will pleasantly surprise you with its cocktail delights, especially if you ask the bartenders to.
And specifically TJ makes this bar my favorite in Old San Juan. He is a creative mixologist who we came back three times to visit. His time, effort, and care make this a can’t miss cocktail destination in old San Juan. A must visit bar!

This place is the bomb. It fits about 3.5 people in it but it’s excellent. the drinks are incredible. I had the rum old fashioned… twice. What a piece of work this is. I am not a rum fan but holy god this might be one of the best drinks I’ve ever had. it’s a process but worth it. the bartender torches a cinnamon stick then lets it smoke under your glass. Then he makes the drink. To top it off he also takes the rind of a lime squeezes the juices into the drink then lights that on fire and throws it in the glass. My traveling partner also had a wonderful beverage. can’t remember what but it was excellent as well. I’m coming back to PR and when I do this will be my bar.

Discovered this place while waiting for seating at El Jibarito. Oh what a discovery. The atmosphere and experience was amazing. I’ve been to a lot of bars in the world and this is in my top ten. I had the rum old fashioned and it was a delicious combination of slightly sweet with a bit of a kick.

This bar is small but big on character. TJ, the bartender made us one of the best cocktails we’ve ever had (smoked Manhattan). Plus, he’s a Steelers fan. Thank you for the excellent experience.

I will go back to PR in a heartbeat just to drink at this bar! It was the standout point of my 5 days in PR. Umberto was great, easy going, fun to talk to and very knowledgeable about drinks. He went out of his way to make my girlfriends and I feel comfortable and to make us our desired drinks. I miss this place and will definitely have to make a trip back there soon. I loved the cozy atmosphere!

Was not happy with this place. Maybe I was unlucky with our timing. Meg’s drink was great but… The bartender was a dick. He was a vape «smoker» and kept blowing that shit in my face. I got a locals only vibe from dude. The other guy seemed cooler. I won’t be going back there. Sorry brah

We absolutely loved this charming little bar. we ran into this gem while roaming the blue cobble roads of old San Juan… I love the quaint little brick bar that was just so inviting — I didn’t want to leave… the bartender served us amazing specialty drinks with all fresh juices and my husbands rum old fashion had one of those large round ice cubes so the drink doesn’t become watered down and garnished both with a rubbed grapefruit that he first torched to bring out the flavor – nice presentation

Discovered this cool cocktail joint while waiting for dinner at El Jibarito across the street. Tiny venue that seats about 10 including the bar, with a short list of specialty cocktails and bartenders who pride in making you a tailored drink. I had the rum old fashioned, which was delicious. My friend had a custom made vesper, which was refreshing and appropriately strong.
Great place to start an evening with a well made cocktail at $ 10 each.

I hesitate to rate this place, as it was truly a hidden gem, and I’d love to keep it that way.
It was about the size of a small bedroom, but had two of the friendliest bartenders and the coziest atmosphere I’ve seen in a long while. The drinks were fantastically made, and the conversation was freeflowing and natural.
I even had the pleasure of helping one of the bartenders come up with a drink to use his tamarindo reduction, and we tried a few different variations, debating back-​and-​forth about ratios and ingredients.
All-​in-​all, would highly recommend this place– it was described by several people as «the bartender’s bar,» and if you hit it early enough in the night, you’ll have the place to yourself. Wait until a little later, and you’ll meet a constant stream of local bartenders coming in to chat and drink.

Loved this place! It is dark, small, kind of expensive, populated with long haired hipster bartender types and was playing nonstop commercial grunge music. It reminds me of how cool a lot of bars in my hometown of Portland used to be.

Great small cocktail bar to play dominos. Bartenders make off menu drinks, just say what your alcohol is and be impressed with what you are dished up.

Coolest bar in San Juan. Awesome bartenders, amazing cocktails, great atmosphere. Also fun to watch white people stand outside and work up the courage to walk in.

Teeny tiny cocktail bar secreted away in Old San Juan. Blink and you’ll miss it. The bar seats maybe 15 people if you get really friendly. We liked it anyway. It’s got a divey atmosphere but phenomenal drinks of the craft cocktail variety. A giant chessboard on the bar occupied us, and one of the bartenders good-​naturedly destroyed me in a game. I’d recommend stopping in here for an upscale drink in a downscale atmosphere.

I’m so glad we stopped by this bar for an after dinner drink. For some reason it’s classified as a dive bar, but it’s far from that. Excellent back shelf and cocktail menu.
Great execution including smoking the glass on the rum old fashioned with clove and cinnamon. It’s small, narrow and intimate.
I would definitely go all the time if I lived here. Seems like a great date place.

One of the best bars I’ve been to in the entire world. No pretense, all personalities and great cocktails; Not to mention, the bar always plays fantastic music. I live in New Orleans, and if this bar was somehow miraculously transported to my city, it would be the be the best bar in New Orleans. Drink here. Now!

Amazing service by Chris. He is a talented bartender looking to expand your horizons but satisfy your quench. Mind you we went early in the evening and heard about how they squeeze masses of people into a 4 person seated bar, thankful we went and were able to enjoy quality service. Would not recommend this hot spot to the typical «cruising tourist» because piña cooladas can be made anywhere else, let’s keep this bar a bartenders sanctuary. Seriously, don’t ruin this.

The passion of the bartender shows in the exquisite quality of the cocktails. Authentic fresh fruit juices squeezed on the spot. Exotic, delicious liquers blended into magic potions. Even coconuts cracked open with machetees! An absolute joy not to be missed!

It just goes to show that opinions are like @ssh@loes. First off this place is NOT a dive, they take credit cards and have top shelf liquor. Andres, co-​owner and mix master made me a drink called ‘the devil’s whiskers’ with rum, grapefruit juice and guava paste. Unlike the other popular dive bar this place is populated with locals. It’s nice to hear people speaking Spanish even if you can’t understand what they’re saying. This place is tiny but it opens up and fresh air pours in. I can’t say enough about Andres. We left El Farolito armed with a wealth of information about where to go in Puerto Rico and feeling like regulars. This place is a must if you want to experience the feel of Viejo San Juan. If you’re going on a cruise, stick with El Batey.