Bars

Beer drinkers will want to try Cabro, an excellent local brew sold widely in Xela.

Among the liveliest and most popular places in town is Casa Verde (12 Avenida 1-40 Zona 1, tel. 7763-0271, 4 p.m.–midnight Tues.–Sun.), where the attractions alternate between live music, poetry readings, theater, and open-mike nights. There’s also Thursday-night salsa dancing, pool, and board games to keep you stimulated at this restaurant-bar.

Undergoing an expansion to include a second-floor bar-lounge and next-door restaurant, Salón Tecún (Pasaje Enríquez, on the west side of Parque Centroamérica, tel. 7761-2832) is a popular gathering spot with a great location and funky decor. There’s also outdoor seating fronting the attractive Pasaje Enríquez pedestrian thoroughfare. Menu items include pizzas, pastas, vegetarian, and Thai dishes.

King and Queen Taberna (7a Calle 13-27 Zona 1, tel. 5493-1112, 7 p.m.–1 a.m. Mon.–Sat.), two blocks west of Parque Centroamérica, is a popular hangout with the language school and volunteer crowd.

Gargolas (4a Calle 12-49 Zona 1, Pasaje Enriquez, 5 p.m.–1 a.m. daily) has a hip atmosphere and plays good music. You can drink at the bar or step into the stylish lounge areas to enjoy your evening under baroque, cathedral-like columns.

Iq (14 Avenida “A” 1-37 Zona 1, tel. 5471-9222, 3 p.m.–1 a.m.) is a small bar where there are beers on tap and light fast-food–style pub fare for you to snack on.

Also with beer on tap is Beer Zone (1a Calle 14-64 Zona 1, tel. 5336-1882, 7 p.m.–1 a.m.) with an eclectic music mix and beer also available by the meter.

The bar inside Pensión Bonifaz (4a Calle 10-50 Zona 1, tel. 7765-1111) is the place to go for high-brow socializing.