Despite Belmopan’s reputation for being a “dead” town, weekends can be quite alive in the capital city.

Perkup Café (4 Shopping Center, tel. 501/822-0001, www.perkupcoffeeshop.com, 11 a.m. to 8 or 9 p.m. during the week, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Sat.) has been a boon for local musicians, hosting live acoustic music and open mic nights Wednesday–Saturday.

Thursdays start with karaoke at the Bull Frog Inn’s Restaurant & Bar (25 Half Moon Ave., tel. 501/822-2111, www.bullfroginn.com) but turn into a rockin’ dance party around 11 p.m., when the place gets packed.

The rest of the weekend is ruled by Twilight Lounge, located on the northeast corner of the traffic circle on the Hummingbird Highway.

For a mellow, unpretentious bar, be sure to hit La Cabaña, in the western part of town on a hill above Hummingbird Highway by Las Flores, with cheap bar food and a friendly vibe.

Barrio Fino Night Club (5 p.m.–3 a.m. Thurs.–Sat.) is a local cool spot, dance club, and bar, with popular pool tables, off of Constitution Drive opposite the gas station.