Dark, dingy and a bit rough, with its worn chessboard floor, worn old sofas, peeling walls and chalkboard menu, La Factoria looks like a clandestine underground coffee shop. At least it will be, if you can even find it – the bar is hidden in a nondescript old building without a sign. Just keep an eye on the crowd.
Lots of locals and knowledgeable tourists, all chatting nicely with cocktails in hand.
La Factoria is known for taking Puerto Rican mixology to the next level – the cocktails are refreshingly simple but expertly crafted. The signature drink, the Lavender Mule, a blend of vodka, ginger beer, and house lavender infusion, is the perfect way to start the night.
Chatty and attentive, despite the crowded atmosphere.
Come for an unforgettable cocktail in an unpretentious setting. An added bonus: Behind the main bar, you’ll find a door leading to several other dimly lit bars and a dance floor.
In 2018, La Factoría celebrated its fifth anniversary, and founders Roberto Berdesia, Leslie Cofresi, and Pablo Rodriguez had a lot to celebrate, including three consecutive years on the World’s 50 Best Bars list. Despite its popularity, this small place has an unpretentious atmosphere: imagine fairy lights, chessboard floors, and salsa music. Creative cocktails include the Lion’s Tail (bourbon, honey, lime, whiskey, and house bitters). Slip through the wooden doors in the back to access the “secret” Vino wine bar, a tiny space offering top-notch international selections.
With a relaxed neighborhood vibe and eclectic looks as always by such experienced bartenders, La Factoria is the perfect place to relax and unwind any night of the week. Its checkerboard flooring gives away the number of dancing feet that have graced it, and the twinkling fairy lights overhead create a more romantic and magical look. La Factoria is so famous that it doesn’t need a sign outside – just find the terracotta building filled with music and laughter – because locals and visitors know it’s definitely the best mixology bar in San Juan. The artisanal cocktails at La Factoria come with hand-cut ice, and many offer house bitters, including seasonal delights like the Lion’s Tail – a warming blend of bourbon, honey, lime, whiskey liqueur, and bitters – or the bright and refreshing Murphy’s Surfer Calavera – gold and white rums, pineapple shrub, tamarind, bitters, and grenadine. The most popular order, however, is the Lavender Mule; a fun new take on a classic served in a silver mug. A wooden door at the back of La Factoria leads to a separate “secret” wine bar called Vino, which is a bijou (to put it mildly, only about 15 people can squeeze in) and serves a selection of wines written on a chalkboard. A local DJ spins music until the wee hours of the morning in the main bar, making La Factoria the place to be during both sunset and sunrise. served in a silver mug.
