Poas Bar
Poás Bar and Restaurant sits on Avenida 7 between Calles 3 and 5, one of the few remaining drinking establishments in the shrinking Gringo Gulch cluster. Expat-owned and operated, it draws a genuinely mixed crowd: older gringo expats, backpackers from the nearby hostel, some younger travelers, and a handful of locals. The wings and cold beer have earned their reputation, and the bar serves one of downtown San José's better chile con carnes. The casado appears on the menu alongside the pub staples.
What to Expect
A down-to-earth neighborhood bar without pretension or theme. One of the last genuine Gringo Gulch watering holes. The crowd is interesting precisely because it's unpretentious.
Unpretentious and eclectic. The mix of people at the bar on any given evening is more interesting than the décor.
Background music, TV sports
No code
Budget travelers, expats, and anyone who wants to drink without theater in the middle of downtown San José.
Cash preferred, some cards accepted
Price Range
Beer $2-4, food mains $6-12
≈ €2-11 / CRC 1,000-6,200
Hours
Daily from 11 AM to midnight (verify locally)
Insider Tip
The wings with cold Bavaria beer is the classic order. Come during the day for a quieter experience; evenings attract more of the neighborhood crowd. The casado is worth trying if you haven't eaten traditional Costa Rican food yet.
Full Review
Poas Bar sits on Avenida 7 between Calles 3 and 5, one of the surviving establishments in the shrinking Gringo Gulch cluster. The interior is basic: a bar, some tables, screens for sports, and a kitchen that turns out wings, chile con carne, and casados. The beer is cold, the prices are low, and the mix of people on any given evening provides more entertainment than the decor.
The crowd is genuinely eclectic. Older gringo expats, backpackers from nearby hostels, younger travelers, and a handful of locals share the same small room. Service is casual and unhurried. The wings with cold Bavaria beer have earned their reputation through years of consistent delivery. The casado provides a Costa Rican counterpoint to the otherwise American-leaning menu.
Poas occupies the bottom of Gringo Gulch's price range, which is its primary appeal. No cover, cheap drinks, honest food, and a crowd that's there for the simplicity rather than the scene. It's not competing with Escalante's cocktail bars or even with the Blue Marlin's legendary chaos. It's just a bar where people drink.
The wings and Bavaria combination is the classic order. Daytime visits are quieter and more conversational. The casado is worth trying if you haven't eaten traditional Costa Rican food yet. Come without expectations and let the bar's eclectic crowd provide the entertainment.
The Neighborhood
Poas is one of the last surviving Gringo Gulch watering holes in the traditional mold: cheap, unpretentious, and serving a mixed crowd of expats and travelers in central San Jose.
Getting There
On Avenida 7 in central San Jose. Walking distance from the National Theatre and Central Market. Uber from Barrio Escalante takes about 10 minutes.
Where to stay in San Jose
Compare hotels near the nightlife districts. Free cancellation on most properties.
Other Venues in Gringo Gulch
Blue Marlin Bar
The ground-floor bar inside Hotel Del Rey, open 24 hours. Draws a rotating cast of expats, fishermen passing through, and tourists, with live music several nights a month and sports on plasma screens.
Key Largo
Entertainment complex across from Hotel Del Rey with four separate bar areas, a dance floor, pool tables, and a live Latin band playing every night of the week.
Sportsmen's Lodge
Upscale sports bar set in four wings of a restored 1906 mansion. Multiple TV screens cover American sports events, and the elegant wood-paneled interior sets it apart from the rougher bars nearby.
Chubs Bar
One of the last standing bars on the original Gringo Gulch circuit, now among the most popular in the area for both locals and expats. Straightforward drinks, no pretense, open late.