La Factoría is consistently in the World's 50 Best Bars list and is the most influential cocktail bar in the Caribbean. The cocktail programme is led by Roberto Berdecía and the menu changes every few months, but the house Lavender Mule (gin, lavender, mint, lime, ginger beer) and the Bottega Negroni have been on the list for years.
It is in a corner building on Plaza San José with no signage; you push through the door and follow the noise. The front room is the busy cocktail bar; the rooms behind unfold into a wine bar, a salsa room with a live band most nights, and a back patio. Free admission, no cover, no dress code, but the queue starts early on Fridays.