Antigua Bars: The Lava Bar

Featuring gourmet hamburgers, a stunning rooftop terrace, and the town’s most affordable happy hour, Lava became Antigua’s top new bar when it opened last year.

Upstairs from Bar Ocelot and run by the same management, Lava fills a long, L-shaped rooftop with views of Volcan Fuego, the cathedral in the park, and nearby ruins. Sunset is a particularly good time for drinks on the roof at Lava.

And fortunately, sunset falls just about the time Lava’s “Mediterranean-style” happy hour ends, so you’ll be in fine shape for the show of pastels and puffs of clouds in the sky.

Antigua's Top Happy Hour

It is an authentic happy hour that lasts just one hour, from 5-6. The prices alone are enough to make you stagger: Q5 for a Cuba Libre or a vodka-based drink, for example. Beer and everything else is practically on sale, so it is not surprising that Lava has become so popular with locals.

Lava Bar also serves 6.9% India Pale Ale.

Best Burgers in Antigua

Big, juicy burgers—the star of the show—start at Q40 and come with a salad and onion rings or fries. The Blue Cheese and Bacon Burger is literally packed with cheese, and the bacon is pure Smokin’ Joes’ bacon from San Pedro at the lake.

The music is more rock and roll than downstairs at Ocelot, which has often has has jazz and Latin sounds in the garden, so Lava attracts a younger crowd.

 

Whether you are new in town or visiting from the lake or Rio, Lava is one bar that should be high on your list of places to drink, eat and party.

Where: Face the cathedal at Parque Central, turn left and it is half-up the block on the right side

When: Daily