While Bad Bunny songs like “Callaíta” or “Where She Goes” fill every square foot of the Metropolitano, there’s a bar in La Latina where the folk rhythms of Puerto Rico resonate amid tastings of Caribbean spirits.
El Antillano moves away from the traditional concept of a cocktail bar in La Latina to function as a hub for cultural exchange where live percussion and the island’s history blend with 100% Puerto Rican rum. The venue structures its offerings around drinks and folklore, creating a space where customers actively participate in Caribbean traditions.
The establishment focuses its beverage selection on rum imported from Puerto Rico. Through guided tastings, guests explore the region’s history while sampling different varieties and aged versions of this spirit. To complement the main offering, the bar serves traditional drinks rarely found outside the island, such as shots made from coconut water, a variation of the traditional Puerto Rican artisanal beverage.
Plena workshops and live percussion
Beyond the drink menu, the venue dedicates its program to preserving and teaching the musical culture of its homeland. El Antillano regularly organizes historical workshops on plena, one of the most representative musical and dance genres of Puerto Rican folklore. During these hands-on sessions, the bar’s staff explain the roots of this rhythm while inviting participants to join in and play the tambourines.
The bar’s dynamic atmosphere often leads tastings and classes to evolve into spontaneous musical celebrations. With the participation of workshop attendees and the musicians who frequent the venue, the interior space gives way to traditional singing and dancing, bringing the evening to a close to the rhythm of instruments and popular songs.