Nightlife

Venezuela is a popular traveler and adventure tourism destination; hence it has a lot of exciting nightlife activities to offer. Usually, the bars tend to start getting crowded by 9pm and shut down by about 2am. In discotheques, parties generally start off by 10pm and get over between 3 to 4am. Most of the bars in town do not have a cover charge, but some of the discos occasionally charge $2 to $5 entry fee, that can be exchanged for a drink or two. Most of Macuto's crowd moves towards Caracas during the night where the happening parties take place. You can go to Caracas easily by means of a cable car. Caracas is renowned for its all night dancing parties, in the discos, jazz bars, and nightclubs. The areas where you can experience the nightlife of Venezuela are Las Mercedes, El Rosal, La Floresta, and La Castellana. Drinks in Caracas nightclubs can be quite expensively priced, but you can spend less on them by finding out before hand about any deals that are available. For instance, some Caracas nightclubs have ‘two-for-one offers' on some drinks; have low-cost happy hours or 'shots' nights where the cost of drinks are reduced.

Nearly all Caracas nightclubs charge an entry fee, but women are often able to enter without paying anything by looking for 'ladies nights' at nightclubs. Keep in mind that a majority of the nightclubs in Caracas have dress codes, with varying levels of stringency. You may not be allowed to enter if you are wearing jeans, and if you are not looking smart. Nearly all clubs need men to wear a shirt (often a collar is essential) and to enter some up-market clubs; you will have to wear a suit. Women generally do not face great problems as regards their attire. There are a lot of nightclubs and discotheques in the other major cities of Venezuela as well. The National and Municipal Theatres present various performances, ballet, dramas, operas and operettas. There are other theatres also, a few of which are open-air, in Caracas, and several cinemas.

A. Favorite Spots

Al Trote

Address

Avenida Andrés Bello,

Entre Primera y Segunda Transversal

Edificio Everí, Planta Baja,

Los Palos Grandes

Caracas

1062

Aragua

Al Trote is a truly enjoyable place for the young and it is open from 8pm to 3am. It has two rooms, decorated in different styles. The name of the restaurant, factually "On the Trot," implies that all activities here take place fast and no one needs to wait. Apart from music and drinking, you can also taste the day's special cuisine and sandwiches. All kinds of music from ‘primitive' salsa to modern day techno are played until dawn. The credit cards accepted are Visa and MasterCard. The average cost for one person is US $ 10.

El Maní es Así

Address

Calle El Cristo,

Esquina Avenida Francisco Solano

Caracas

Venezuela

(Las Delicias de Sabana Grande)

This nightclub is open from 5:30 pm until late into the wee hours of the morning. If Latin music and dancing is your fancy, this is the perfect place to be. For quite a long time, El Maní es Así has been the hottest spot for salsa in Caracas and extremely famous among the young, party-loving caraqueños (people from Caracas). Apart from playing classic salsa and live music, this club also boasts of a large, well-stocked bar. The entry fee is less than US $ 10. The credit cards accepted are Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club.

The Juan Sebastián Bar

Address

Av Venezuela,

Entre Avenidas Mohedano y Sojo

El Rosal

Caracas, Aragua

1060

The Juan Sebastián Bar is a well-known restaurant and bar and one of the best spots in Venezuela to catch live jazz. This place also serves international cuisine, along with national and imported liquors of the highest quality to the accompaniment of great music and good Havana cigars.

Complejo Cultural Teresa Carreno

Address

Final Paseo Colón,

Sector El Conde, (Los Caobos),

Caracas,

1050 Venezuela

This theatre is a grand cultural site and the pride of Caracas. It is a globally recognized center of arts, and you may usually find a ballet or symphony performance there. National and international artists often participate in the concerts held here. Drama, film and music events are held here, including the Latin American music festival every November.

L'Altro Senso

Address

Avenida Principal,

Centro Comercial Shopping Mall Galerías

Planta Alta, Las Mercedes

Caracas

1060

Aragua

This is a theme pub that is open from 11am-3am, Tuesday to Saturday. The music played includes dance, house and techno, music of the 70s and 80s, and merengue and salsa. On certain days of the week, live music is also played. The average cost is US $ 9. The credit cards accepted are Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club.

Clon Club

Address

Calles La Trinidad con París,

Centro Comercial Five Sisters,

Las Mercedes,

Caracas, 1060 Venezuela

Imported beer served here will cost you around US $ 2. The music played is mostly techno, even though other dance styles are played occasionally. There are live performances held on special days, which are advertised in the local news.

Pullman (El)

Address

Sabana Grande

Caracas

1050

Aragua

Pullman, a gay bar was initially only a simple restaurant serving international cuisine such as garlic soup and pastas. It is really a place with a tasca (Spanish bar) ambience. It is open from noon to midnight everyday. Credit cards accepted are Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club.