Awesome bars for awesome people: Candela
Candela
When there are so many bars and taverns in one place as Old San Juan, standing out becomes the primary goal of any bar owner who wishes to stay on top of the game. The most important part of any tavern is the bar: the oasis that must service the patrons. Nobody wants to drink in an Oasis where the water is dark and murky or where the surrounding vegetation is decayed and ugly.
How it looks is usually the first clue as to how it will taste. The same principle is applied to the bars of any establishment. Nobody wants to drink in an uncomfortable, decayed bar where the licor seems to have been standing in the same place for the last decade. This is where we come in, the quality brigade, we’ll show you what we consider to be the best Oasis in OSJ and its up to you to go and drink!
First oasis we shall stop in is Candela, located on San Sebastian street in Old San Juan. A lounge bar, the place is famous for its continuous hosting of live music and its 20$ jars of the mix drink of your choice. The live music is usually of the Jazz, electronic, trip-hop, and latin percussion varieties, and always has a DJ at hand just in case.
Staring into the oasis
The place has no dress code, but it is usually inhabited by the trendy and fashionista crowd, so expect some looks from them if you are a jeans and t-shirt man like me. But it does not matter, the place is so roomy and comfortable that you will find your happy place and forget about everyone around you. As a matter of fact, the other people will be the last thing you will focus your attention on, seeing as how the Post Modern decor of the place will draw your attention most of the night. It reminded me of the Korova Milk bar in Stanley Kubrick’s: A Clockwork Orange.
The bar has a soft neon lighting, with a contrast that benefits the Post Modern art deco. A perfect place to bring a date or to just lounge afterhours with friends to share thoughts and the night. Here are some more shots Candela: enjoy and cheers!
Post Modern
The view after a couple of beers
* Photos by Toxic Lunch
So great that Candela was noticed with such fine article. Good job for the Writer;) For me the place is more like a beloved memory from the childhood, the one that always brings the thoughts into the dreamworld, pleasant feelings and memorized smiling faces of friends. Such a sentiment will always be my company, once entering Candela. But my story is just one of many…that’s the place with years of words, drinks, music and most of all – the people. Because we are the one to create the place’s ambiance;)
Let the story continue …welcome to the world of Candela…;)))
Candela – cultural instigator. not many of those around. Good people. Good natured, hard working and to top it, for any copycats out there, as cutting edge as they come.
peace
I will recommend this place to others that like to hob nob around Old San Juan.
Wow thanks for the article and thanks for the Comments.They come on a good time when we are trying to get inspired in this dificult times.
Here is our discography for those who don’t know that we been producing,writing, recording and releasing music in Candela for a while now. Feel free to google Candela Recordings and Pablo Rodriguez to find thousands of reviews.
Discography
Sencillos 12″ y 7″ todos estos son en vinyl
1-Nickdemus y Osiris feat. Juancito Torres , Polito Huerta y Carol C 2001 (Gian Step NYC)
2-Oreja- Vazilando feat Hector Calderon 2002 (Papa Records UK)
3-Oreja- Manana por La manana 2003 (Papa Records uk)
4- John Beltran- “La Candela” 2003 (Ubiquity CA)
5-Pal Joey- “Prucuta” 2003 (cabaret NYC)
6-Pal Joey- “Ingratitud” 2004 (cabaret NYC)
7-Afronaut- “Carnaval” 2004 (Candela/Bitasweet PR/UK)
8- Afronaut- “Golpe Tuyo Calinda” 2004(Candela Bitzsweet PR/UK)
9-Nickodemus y Quantic with Candela all stars feat. Tempo Alomar “Mi Swing es tropical” 2005 (Candela Recordings PR)
10-Candela all stars- Brobombique 2005 (Candela Recordings PR)
11-Local 12 ep 2006 (Candela Recordings PR)
12- Oreja vs Plenafro “Julieta” 2006 (Candela Recordings PR)
13-Candela all stars- “La Gringa” 2006 (Candela Recordings PR)
14- Candela All stars with Bronx River Parkway – La Valla 7″ 2006(Candela/Truth and Soul PR/NY)
15-Local 12- Justamente 7″ 2007 (A Bitasweet Candela Dubplate PR/UK)
16-Hecho en Casa pt. 1 feat Giovanni Hidalgo 2007 (A Bitasweet Candela Dubplate PR/UK)
17- Sammy Ayala/ Broki- Pienso en ti 7″ 2007 (A Bitasweet Candela Dubplate PR/UK)
18-Candela all stars and Bronx River parkway- “Agua con Sal”
19-Candela all stars and Bronx River Parkway “La Valla”
20-Gerardo Frisina and Candela all stars “Calle de la Candela” Schema Records Italy.
Compilations
21Turntables on the Hudson vol 2 NYC 2002
22vol 3 2003 NYC
23vol 4 2004 NYC
24The Best of Tutntables on the Hudson 2005 Japan
25Tutrntables on the Hudson 6
26Soul Shaker Vol 3 (Records Kick Italia 2006)
27Shapes compilation 6 Brown (Tru Thoughts uk 2006)
28Shapes Compilation 6 Green (Tru Thoughts UK 2006)
29Marula Soul 3 (España 2007)
30Latin Vibe 2 (France 2006)
31Latina Cafe 4 (Francia 2005)
32Latina Fever (France 2006)
33The best of Latina Cafe (Francia 2006)
34The Best of Radio Latina (Francia 2006)
35Life is a Dance kid (Africa 2007)
36Saint Morris vol 5 (2007 Suiza)
37Aubade- Sensualidad (2007 France) 4 canciones de Candela
38Music Recomenders Nokia UK 2007
39Panamerican Grooves 2 Energay Production Italy
40Brazilectro 8 Germany
41Latin Flavours Sony Mexico
42Ibiza Lounge-Brazilution 5.6
43Batucada 3
44Various Artists Ambient Lounge 11
45Various Artists Pacha Global Chilling
46Looselips-Futurismo Latino
47Salsa Fever
48Salsa Mix Party
49-Dj Ryuma Super Smooth vol. 13
50Feel Ibiza Music
51Nova Tunes 1.7
52Beginers Guide to Lounge
53Cafe Latino vol. 6
54Le Son Latino
Apple Ipod worldwide advertising campaign Summer 2007
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Cxp5kHEzv70
Taco Bell US campaign Summer 2008
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