Jacó has no shortage of bar action. The scene is ever shifting. The Beatle Bar (www.thebeatlebar.com, 6 P.M.–2:30 A.M. daily) has the classiest ambience in town, with pool tables, darts, table football, TV, and classic music (although its clientele includes a posse of sex workers). Its weekly pajama party (Tues.), bikini contests (Wed.), and pole-dancing contests (Fri.) give you an idea what it’s all about.

Its main competition is the Monkey Bar (tel. 506/2643-2357, www.monkeybarcr.com, 9 P.M.–2:30 A.M. daily), which packs ’em into its upscale lounge-bar with DJs and live music, including a VIP tree-house room with leather sofas. Go for ’80s music on Wednesday, with two-for-one margaritas all night. Its motto: “Avoid hangovers, stay drunk all weekend!”

Jacó’s top live-music lounge-bar, Le Loft (tel. 506/8837-2870 or 8823-0506, www.leloftcr.com, 9 P.M.–2:30 A.M. Thurs.–Tues.) offers half-price entry before midnight. Thursday is ladies’ night, with free entry and drinks all night.

Warm up at the beachfront Clarita’s Sports Bar & Grill (tel. 506/2643-2615, www.claritashotel.com, 7 A.M.–10 P.M. daily), popular with the expat crowd, not least for its Hooters-style bartenders. The Blind Pigs perform.

Sky Lounge & Sports Bar (tel. 506/2643-1642) at Hotel Poseidon has a revolving menu of events: Monday-night football, tequila Tuesday, two-for-one beers on Thursday, and movies on Friday. I enjoyed a mean martini here!

Competing for football fans is Hotel & Bar Oz (tel. 506/2643-2162, www.ozbarandhotel.com, 11 A.M.–3 A.M. daily), with a vast open-air bar offering pool, darts, and big-screen TV. Jungle Bar & Grill, above Subway, also has foosball and pool tables.

You can try your luck in the casino of the Hotel Cocal (tel. 506/2643-1201, www.hotelcocalandcasino.com, 11 A.M.–3 A.M. daily).