While Nicaragua is not New York City, the nightlife scene here has improved dramatically in recent years.

In Managua, most of the good nightclubs and bars are centered around the Zona Rosa, on the Carretera Masaya. The night clubs are packed Wednesday-Saturday night, with ladie’s nights usually on Wednesday and Thursday.

Hipa Hipa is one of the most popular bars, attracting a wealthy and trendy college-age crowd. In the Zona Rosa, Broder and Aqua are two good bets, drawing an attractive crowd.

A block away, Excess-XS is a darker nightclub that forces you onto the dance floor by turning up the air conditioning so high you have to dance.

A local expat hangout in Granada

Nearby Mango’s is slightly smaller, and plays music wicked loud. Aribas is another good bet, with indoor and outdoor seating.

Outside the Zona Rosa, Z-Bar is another happening spot, with an open-air bar and dance floor and occasional rock music. In barrio Bolonia, The Shannon is the country’s only authentic Irish bar, complete with Guinness (in a can), U2 on the jukebox and an Irish-fare bar menu.

Hippos, a hip restaurant with outdoor seating, is a happening place to grab a burger and drinks with friends.

Granada’s nightlife also picks up considerably on the weekends, especially Saturday nights, when groups come in from Managua to party.  El Club is one of the trendiest bars/restaurants in town, with tequila nights on Friday and large theme parties the first Saturday of every month. Nearby, Café Nuit is an open-air club built around a patio with a dance floor. The club plays live music and gets packed on the weekends. Across the street, La Fabrica is a rock bar built inside an old colonial home. The bar gets good live rock bands several times a month.

In Managua TGIF is a place where you can have fun

On the east side of the park, Zoom Bar is popular with the older gringo crowd. Nearby El Central is a backpacker hangout. Several newer gringo bars are going in nearby. On the shores of Lake Nicaragua, there are several latin discos and after-hour bars.

San Juan del Sur has several smaller bars, including local expat favorite Ricardos, followed by a late night at the Disco down the street.