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One of the coolest nightlife experiences I've had in my life so far! Vibes are off the planet here at the right time and it's amazing getting to walk from bar to bar. The atmosphere and the espresso martinis were 10/10
The cocktails were great--creative, balanced, and well made. Great music, lively atmosphere, and quality craft cocktails.
We stopped in here for drinks and to hang out and people watch. Ambiance is chill, bartenders were attentive and drinks are good HOWEVER I paid with a 100$ bill and for some reason when I got the change back something made me count my money and sure enough I did NOT receive the correct change back. So stay vigilant my friends lol La Factoría is an internationally acclaimed, speakeasy-style cocktail bar located in the heart of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico Despacito" Fame: The venue gained global mainstream attention when it was featured as a primary filming location in the 2017 music video for the mega-hit "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee We came We saw On to the next
What a hidden gem!!! We passed right by it the first time and didn't even notice this was here. Super cute and they have an inside and outside bar too. The drinks were crafted beautifully and the bartenders were super friendly and gave us great local suggestions as well. Highly recommend stopping by for a few drinks here.
Loved this place so much and I'm so happy we stopped by. The drinks were delicious and perfectly made. The staff was friendly and helpful. The place is clean and welcoming and we will definitely be back when visiting San Juan. Also, the price of the drinks were very affordable considering they're actual cocktails. Loved it here!
THE Famous La Factoria club of where Despacito, Heart Break, and other songs were filmed here. When in Puerto Rico, this is a must. AMBIANCE: Parking: Welcome to Old San Juan, it get get pretty busy - best to carpool or do public transportation. Seating: Indoor seating or private cabana set ups for groups. Room for a total of 100 people. Feels: Welcome to Old San Juan, a mix of touristy and culture. The spot itself is popular for locals and tourists. As for the space itself, what's unique about this spot is this place isn't just one bar. It's actually a series of connected rooms (about 6-7 different spaces), each with its own vibe - speak easy, dance, casual, house, live music and more! I'm surprised each room can contain it's sounds while maintaining its own energy. It feels like a speakeasy maze meets nightlife experience. Dim lighting, vintage touches, and just enough chaos in a good way. DRINKS/EXPERIENCE It was such a fun night, not sure what I ordered but there is an abundance of flavors as every room has different selections. But popular drinks if you're looking for guidance - lavendar mule, espresso martini, a classic mojito. They got the classic to your well-crafted cocktails. Some spots provide food while others is sip and chill or sip and dance. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Fast-paced but solid. Staff keeps up with the crowd and still manages to be engaging. TL; DR OVERALL: 4.5 Stars! Good choices, reasonable prices, and a vibe like no other. As a gemini that can be quite indecisive, I enjoyed this spot - especially with its multiple options. This is more than a bar - it's an experience. A spot where the night can go longer than expected. TIPS: * Walk through ALL the rooms--you'll miss half the experience if you don't
Loved La Factoría! The atmosphere was lively without feeling overwhelming, with great music and some really fun salsa dancing that gave the place an authentic Puerto Rican nightlife vibe. The space also had surprisingly good ventilation, so even with the dancing and crowd it stayed comfortable. Drinks were great, the bar itself has a ton of character, and the whole place just felt energetic and unique. Definitely a spot worth checking out in Old San Juan!
Fantastic vibes and craft cocktails! My friends and I stopped by La Factoria after hearing that they filmed the Despacito music video! We came during the day and there's not many seats, but we were luckily able to grab a table. It was hard to get a bartenders attention at first and no one really came over to ask for our orders. I got the Pornstar Martini, which was super strong and refreshing! Highly recommend if you're a Passionfruit fan!
Top notch vibes paired with fantastic drinks The playlist here is perfect if you just want to sit down, enjoy a drink, and have a conversation with friends Once again, the mixologists/bartenders were very kind to a solo traveller, going out of their way to make me feel involved in everything going on. The water glass was always (almost immediately) quietly topped up whenever it was empty and they even offered to make me a customised cocktail that was to my taste / what I wanted at that moment Very well deserving of their accolades!
Love this place. 5 different rooms with different themes. We had a short rib grilled cheese sandwich and it was sooooo good. The au jus was wonderful. The drinks were great and the house music room was a fun place to dance off those calories
This bar serves great specialty cocktails and the food was really good too. which is surprising for a bar/club. they have many different rooms with different music selections so there is something for everyone to enjoy. it was pretty packed on A friday night so wear comfy shoes and be ready to dance. my favorite spot was upstairs where i was able to look out the windows and see down the whole strip
Still 5 stars... We came here Saturday night for drinks after dinner. There's a line outside, bouncer checking IDs, and people wanting to go in, but it moved fast. The place was packed but people move around, between the bar, the second room, and outside. Even with the busy bar, we did not wait long for someone to get our drink order. There's sofas, small tables, and window seats, plus enough space to stand. We waited a bit and were lucky to get the window seats. This is great for people watching plus to enjoy the island breeze. Location is great too, right on the street of many other bars making it easy to hop around and be a part of the very lively crowd that's always happy to be there, both locals and tourists. La Factoría is definitely a must when visiting Old San Juan
Classic and popular bar in viejo (old) San Juan. Def recommend to go in for a drink. They often have live band or DJ playing, which is perfect for dancing. The space is bigger than some other bars in the same area but does get packed because of its popularity.
2 years ago
Worth the stop if you're in old San Juan - the lavender mule was light, unique, and refreshingly delicious, but the standout for both of us was the pornstar martini, which was a perfectly balanced blend of sweet passionfruit, acidic lime, and warm vanilla. We went during the day, so we didn't get the full multi-bar experience, but we would definitely come back on a Saturday night!!! read more
This was a cool place to go to in Old San Juan. It's 3 bars in one. 2 small sections of bars and then the 3rd section is playing salsa and a dance floor to salsa all night if you want to. You can definitely come here for drinks, cocktails and bites. It was a fun vibe and fun night for dancing as it was packed. If it's a hot night like when I went, you will be sweating if you're dancing as I think there is no AC. They do have little windows open where you can see outside and outside in. If you stand by it, you get a nice little breeze. I definitely recommend this place if you are in the area. read more
3 years ago
One of my favorite bars I've been to with one of the best espresso martinis and a new experience through every door. Loved watching the salsa dancers and also having an intimate cocktail in their smallest bar. Bartenders all fantastic with their drink making skills and theatrics read more
Curated cocktails and rustic architecture, La Factoría is one bar that promises a good time in San Juan. The mixologist was amazing with our cocktails. Came here based on a recommendation from a friend. Everyone's on an island timer, so be prepared to wait for your drinks if it's really crowded. read more
My experience at La Factoria was one of the highlights of my trip in PR. The drinks are so well thought out and delicious. I don't think you'll pick a wrong cocktail so go with your gut. The staff is class without being pretentious. They were so courteous and knowledgable. The vibe inside was very cozy but cool and with the windows open letting in a breeze? I could've stayed there all night. Didn't get a chance to check out the back room (def speakeasy vibes) but heard it's an amazing place to go dancing. Sit at the bar if you have a chance! Not only is it great place to get a view of the craftsmanship these bartenders are putting in, but also those who come here are so friendly! Was able to talk with locals and travelers. Cant recommend this place enough. read more
2 years ago
Rated 18th best bar in North America, we went during lunch. Nice setting and vibe, got to walk around the other rooms they have but the other bars didn't open like 5pm. Other reviews speak for themselves, must try it! Great service. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
Setup a series of places to stop by for a cocktail and tapas while in port on a cruise / this was out first stop They DO NOT have any food available - so ignore the food menu on their website As for cocktails and 6 bars in a horseshoe shape --- Scratch that too The first bar & 2nd room were open and serving There were barriers beyond the 2nd bar area Stop by for a cocktail / lavender mule was delicious but nothing more than that read more
2 years ago
This place is perfect. The drinks are amazing and the bartenders are very experienced. There are two additional bars behind the main bar. A great place to spend an afternoon or evening. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
La Factoria is a must visit in San Juan! It has an incredible atmosphere and amazing cocktails. It is really cool that there are so many different rooms, depending on what your mood is you could go hang in the salsa room or you could go hang in the cocktail lounge! I didn't have any food as we only went to experience the bar and cocktails. But I would highly suggest this place to anyone visiting. My biggest advice would to go after dinnertime as all the rooms aren't always open during the earlier hours! read more
3 years ago
So this place had to be one of the most interesting places we visited while in Puerto Rico. To start let's just say we had such a good time I was glad we were in walking distance of our air bnb. The coolest thing about this place is that the vibes change in every room. It goes from a cocktail bar setting to a dive bar setting to a bar with dance floor and I'm not even joking it goes to a bar that you feel like your in a cave or a basement of some sort. The music changes in each setting as well but I believe menu stays the same except for maybe 1 or 2 drinks. This place was definitely unique and a shock to the visual senses. read more
I love La Factoria. It had been on my list for years, so I was so excited to finally try it. I visited for afternoon cocktails, so I didn't get to check out all of the rooms, but definitely would go back at night to do so. The staff was so friendly and we were able to easily get a table around 1:00 pm on a Saturday. I had two drinks, the Champeta and the Lavender Mule. Both were refreshing and strong, perfect for the afternoon heat. All of the cocktails were interesting and it was hard to choose. If I could've had a third, I would have. I considered going back that evening but didn't make it. La Factoria is consistently ranked one of the best cocktail bars in the world, deservedly. I highly recommend when in San Juan. read more
Did you really go to Puerto Rico if you didn't salsa dance?? if you want to dance, go up the stairs to the very back. There are people at all levels on the dance floor so don't let the few good people intimidate you! Some more experienced people may ask for a dance and guide you through the movements as well. If dancing isn't quite your vibe, there are also seating areas throughout the bar. The drinks are also tasty and unique. They have both wines and cocktails and possibly beer. La Factoria is definitely a must visit for anyone visiting Puerto Rico. read more
Beautiful drinks in a fun, Puerto Rican venue. The bartenders were very friendly and kind. My husband and I enjoyed a relaxing environment drinking our cocktails on a breezy day! We had the lavender mules and they were very refreshing and delicious. read more
This place has multiple rooms that you can hang out in, so it's deceptively bigger than you'd think. Drinks are pretty good (their espresso martini is really good!) but some of their fruity drinks aren't as great. Also the music video for despacito was apparently filmed here! read more
Saw La Factoria was a 2022 James Beard semifinalist and had to stop in on our trip! Definitely lived up to the hype. The guanabana punch was incredible, and the champeta cocktail was also great. I believe the cocktails were $10 each (!!!) Also, they filmed the video for "Despacito" here. As one would expect, the vibes are immaculate. read more
So, this place is famous. Let's address the elephant in the room. It's going to be busy. It's going to be crowded. It's going to take some planning to come here. First, the logistics. There are three rooms. The entrance is in the corner street. There are no signs that this place is La Factoria. You just got to trust your map program. The first room is narrow with lots of bottles and two big mirrors, lots of fans, and some red cushioned seating in the back corner. This area is meant for just cocktails and drinks. I stayed here and I only wanted their cocktails. If you go back next to the bathrooms, there's an entrance to the second part which is for wine and the cocktail selections are much more basic. It was fairly crowded and small for the second portion. If you continue on, you'll make it to the third and bigger portion where they serve food - but only at night. They also only open up the place at night when the kitchen is opened. Now that we got that out of the way, let's talk about drinks. The drinks here are good. They are balanced. If you appreciate the nuances of cocktails and their ingredients, then you'll love this place because more of their selections have a house made tincture/syrup/infusion that you can't buy anywhere. I know that the upkeep for these ingredients takes work so I always appreciate a cocktail bar that goes that distance. The bartenders pay attention to detail. The bartender I had made sure the coupe was chilled, or the glass was clean, or the amount that came out reached the proper point in the glass for presentation. No garnishes we're skipped. The amount of time shaking was proper and not half assed. One of the drinks, the bartender did a reverse shake. There were clear square blocks of ice that were already prepped and in the freezer. Luckily, I came here midday on a Monday and I was able to experience this place relatively easily. If I came here at a super busy time, I would not have had such a good experience here I think. I came here nonchalantly and I walked out with a big smile. read more
Favourite place I went to in Puerto Rico ! It's a grown and sexy vibe exactly what we didn't find at La placita! The food was delicious, the drinks were tasty and the ambience was very cocktail speakeasy style. The tuna carpaccio was my fave and the hamburguer was huge! This was one of the ONLY places in PR that we didn't have to wait 1+ hour for our food and the service was exceptional. read more
It is on San Sebastian street. it is one of the most happening places to be at night when you are in San Juna. this whole street is live, buzzing till midnight and sometimes till 2 AM. so if you wanna get the vibe/ feel of nightlife, come to this street (Calle in Spanish) here. so they check your vaccine card at the entrance and you are on your own. means I am used to "some server will come, show us the table" but here, the scene is different. you find the table or chair or seat at the bar- get settled and order the drink. between its always crowded. these are the places - good for a couple of drinks and hop on to another bar. The prices are reasonable. in fact every place/bar in San Juan- beer - $2-3, Mojito - $5-8, Pina colada - $5-8 Fun Fact: why this is famous and crowded- Despacito song was shot here. Note: To enter, they are asking for CDC Card (for vaccine check). You can also show a digital copy/Photo of it. read more
4 years ago
2022: Still my favorite bar in PR. The craft cocktails are so delicious- my current fave is the spiced, slightly bitter, El Peligroso. The Mezcal cocktail was also tasty . Back bars open at 6pm so dont try to go at 2:30 and wait them out at the front bar like I did 2018: Great craft cocktails, good music, and chill vibes. The back room is spacious resembling more of a dance floor area while the front has the main bar where you can hang and chat. read more
3 years ago
Went to grab a drink for a night out. Did not try any food, but the drinks were great. The area had mutiple rooms which each one have their own special ambiance. Getting drinks at the bars was fast, even with the crowds. read more
10 months ago
9 months ago
2 years ago
Really cool vibe in old town San Juan. Multiple different bar areas. Can get busy, good mix of locals and visitors... read more
Went on a recommendation from a coworker whose life goal is to move to Puerto Rico and buy this bar ;) Love the vibe and the multiple rooms. Not all of them were open when we went but still cool to check out. In one room people were dancing salsa (?) which was cool. I ordered the lavender mule and really enjoyed and the folks I was with enjoyed theirs too. Oh and they ask for your vaccine card before you enter. LOVE! read more
Drinks are very unique. One had me feeling good already. There's a reason why it's one of the tops bars here but we went on a Saturday night and everyone was on the strip. It was very crowded and we couldn't enjoy ourselves as much but I would want to come back again read more
I went here expecting the world only because I had been following them on Insta for a while now and I make one of their drinks at my home bar. I went on a Sunday night and there was a decent sized crowd there. There are multiple rooms with the back room being the biggest with the most room to dance. I'm kind of a cocktail geek so I dove mouth first into a Peligroso which was very good. I moved on to the Guanabana Punch also a very good drink and my first milk clarified cocktail, ever. I went into the other smaller room adjacent and there I was able to enjoy a cocktail sitting up against the window enjoying the sounds of Hector Lavoe and watching people stroll through the streets. There aren't many bars in the world where you can have quality craft cocktails while Hector Lavoe blasts overhead and I'm proud of what they have done and continue to do. Congrats and Salud! read more
5 years ago
Very cute speakeasy in Old San Juan , but we needed to ask a local where it was because they still have the old business side out front... so fix that guys... not a hard thing. We went on a Friday afternoon and they were only open for drinks because they're kitchen or cook doesn't start till 6pm. they could make a lot more money with good since their dinner menu looked . They had great music and drinks. read more
I read that La Factoria has been listed as one of the 50 best bars in the world for 5 years in a row along with being nominated for a James Beard award. After visiting twice I understand why. This bar is located in the heart of Old San Juan and consists of 3 bars in 3 adjoining rooms. Sounds big doesn't it? Well it actually isn't. Inside it's dark and cool (not the temperature) with a cozy casual vibe that has personality in spades. The first and third bar are the largest (relatively speaking) with the second one specializing in wine that includes a table next to an open window next to the street. In the background is excellent Latin music (salsa, bachata, cumbia, etc) that isn't too loud to disrupt conversation. It's very common to see couples dancing their tails off with salsa moves that weren't learned in a dance studio in the states. In the third bar they have live music with a small band playing Latin music usually starting at 10 pm on certain nights. There is only one entrance and you have to walk through one bar to get to the other. The bartenders are very professional and it's very apparent that this is a well run business where the customer is treated right. Their specialty cocktails are excellent and reasonably priced. My favorite was the Lavender Mule. They also have a food menu but people really come here to drink, dance and socialize. Have dinner somewhere else nearby and then walk over to here. Currently they require proof of vaccination at the door. If you come to visit Puerto Rico and want to really experience the night life here a stop at La Factoria is a must do. read more
2 years ago
We went on a Saturday night. The ambience was bomb, the drinks were fantastic, and our bartender was the best. I can't rave enough about this place. The price is higher than I expected but still aligned with the PR prices. read more
10 months ago
This is the place to go to in San Juan if you really want to experience the true spirit of Puerto Rico. This place consists of over 7 interconnected bars. The main hall is not very obvious form the outside, but when you enter, the whole place smells of espresso martinis for which this place is very popular for. The other bars are hidden and have secret entrances and it's fun to figure them out. The third bar is where the magic happens, especially on Saturday nights when everyone breaks out in a salsa after 10 pm. The service is slow because this place is usually super crowded. A must visit! read more
Great cocktails! Very yummy concoctions. We arrived and sat at the small bar as soon as you walk in. Please note that if you follow the bar and walk up the 2 steps there are two more bars and a fair amount of space to find a seat. This was a recommendation from a friend who grew up on the island and was e were not disappointed. Well worth the small streets and the navigating in the back of an uber to get there. read more
More info about La Factoría
Calle San Sebastián 148
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901
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http://www.lafactoriavsj.com
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