A cocktail bar tucked into one of San Juan's most creative neighborhoods just wrapped up its first year in business, and the team behind it decided to celebrate by handing over the reins to some of Puerto Rico's most respected names in the drink-making world.
Aurora sits on Calle Cerra in Santurce, a part of the city known for its arts scene and nightlife. The bar opened its doors a year ago with a clear mission: create a place where people could come for well-made drinks, good food, and an atmosphere that felt a cut above the usual. Over four nights in early January, Aurora brought in guest bartenders from other acclaimed establishments across the island to mark the milestone.
Image credit: Aurora
The celebration ran from Thursday, January 8 through the weekend, with different teams taking over the bar each night. The concept was straightforward—let the island's most influential bartenders showcase their approach while working within Aurora's aesthetic and service style.
On the first night, Roberto Berdecía and Leslie Cofresí came in from La Factoría, a bar that's earned international recognition and a spot among the World's 50 Best Bars. Their takeover gave guests a look at the style and technique that helped put their own establishment on the global map.
Friday saw Manolo López Millán and Chris Cheah, the co-founders to Machete Cocktail Bar, step behind Aurora's bar. Their night leaned into high energy, with exclusive cocktails and the kind of storytelling that keeps people at the bar longer than they planned.
Saturday brought in Aramis Castillo, who recently won Puerto Rico World Class 2025 and serves as Creative Bar Director at MĀRO. He teamed up with Jorge Buch from Colmena Bar to put together a lineup that had guests coming back for more throughout the evening.
The anniversary series wrapped on Sunday with a brunch service that ran from late morning into the afternoon. The brunch featured cocktails alongside coffee from Habitante Café and food prepared in collaboration with MUSA, a dining concept known for bringing international flavors to the island with a modern approach.
Image credit: Aurora
Aurora was founded by Guillermo Rivera, someone who's been in the hospitality business for years. His connection to Santurce runs deep—he started out at El Grillón, a family business he eventually bought and still operates today. Opening Aurora was the realization of an idea he'd been working toward for a long time: a destination built around serious cocktails, shareable plates, and service that pays attention to details.
"I am proud to celebrate Aurora's first anniversary—an ongoing collaboration built around immersive cocktail experiences, premium ingredients, and world-class service," Rivera said. "We partnered with some of Puerto Rico's best mixologists throughout the celebration, welcoming them to take over our bars and bring the essence of Aurora to life. Guests enjoyed cocktails that surprised and delighted in a luxurious environment defined by elegance, creativity, and style."
The bar operates Thursday through Sunday, opening at 6:00 PM and closing at 1:00 AM. The space itself leans into what some have called a speakeasy-inspired aesthetic—intimate, polished, with design choices that set it apart from the typical bar experience. It's the kind of place that works for a night out or something more special.
Aurora's drink program is led by Chief Mixologist Derek Champlin Ayala, who brings a background that blends mixology with molecular gastronomy. His approach involves techniques that might sound technical on paper but translate into drinks that feel approachable and memorable. Throughout the anniversary series, Champlin Ayala worked alongside the guest bartenders to highlight the creativity shaping the current moment in Puerto Rico's cocktail culture.
"It was a pleasure to be an essential part of Aurora this past year—crafting a cocktail menu that blended my passion for mixology with a scientific background in molecular gastronomy," Champlin Ayala said. "Partnering with guest bartenders who are at the top of their game made this milestone even more meaningful."
The bar's regular menu reflects a range that runs from bright and refreshing to darker and more spirit-forward. During the anniversary, Aurora featured several cocktails that showcased that spectrum. Key Lime Pie translated a familiar dessert into a layered drink. Rocío de la Mañana leaned floral and vibrant. El Huerto brought garden-fresh flavors with a balance of sweet and savory. Isla Verde captured tropical notes with an island sensibility. Ocaso went the opposite direction—bold and built for those looking for intensity and depth.
At Aurora, the drinks aren't positioned as just something to sip while waiting for food. They're designed as complete experiences, with attention paid to aroma, texture, and the story behind each build. The techniques and ingredients pull from cultures around the world, even as the bar stays rooted in Puerto Rico's own flavors and traditions.
The bar's approach extends beyond what's in the glass. Aurora pairs its cocktail program with curated bites, creating an experience that balances food and drink in a way that feels intentional. The menu draws on both local ingredients and global inspiration, a reflection of the island's own position as a crossroads of cultures and influences.
Santurce itself has been evolving as a destination for both locals and travelers looking for something beyond the typical tourist experience. The neighborhood's arts corridor has attracted creatives, entrepreneurs, and hospitality professionals who see potential in the area's energy and history. Aurora fits into that broader movement—a business that contributes to the neighborhood's identity while carving out its own distinct place.
The anniversary celebration also highlighted the collaborative spirit among Puerto Rico's bar community. Rather than operate in isolation, Aurora invited competitors and contemporaries to share the spotlight, creating an event that elevated the island's cocktail scene as a whole. The guest bartender format allowed different approaches and styles to intersect, giving guests a broader perspective on what's happening across San Juan's cocktail culture.
For Rivera, the first year represented both an accomplishment and a foundation for what comes next. The bar has built momentum and a reputation that extends beyond Santurce. There's talk of recognition on larger lists and platforms that rank bars internationally—a goal that seems less distant after a year of consistent execution and word-of-mouth growth.
The bar's design and atmosphere play a significant role in the overall experience. The space feels intentional, from the lighting to the layout, creating an environment where people can settle in for the evening. It's described as luxurious without being stuffy, elegant without being unapproachable. That balance seems central to Aurora's identity—a place that takes itself seriously but doesn't alienate anyone walking through the door.
As Puerto Rico's cocktail scene continues to grow and gain international attention, Aurora has positioned itself as a key player in that narrative. The bar's focus on technique, premium ingredients, and evolving creativity reflects broader trends in craft cocktail culture while staying true to local roots and ingredients.
The anniversary series demonstrated what's possible when talent, technique, and collaboration come together in one space. For four nights, Aurora became a showcase for the depth of skill and creativity present across Puerto Rico's bar scene, while also cementing its own place within that community.
Looking ahead, the bar shows no signs of slowing down. The menu will continue to evolve, new collaborations will likely emerge, and the space will keep drawing people looking for cocktails that go beyond the expected. For now, Aurora can mark its first year as a success—not just in terms of business, but in building something that contributes meaningfully to Santurce's cultural fabric and Puerto Rico's growing reputation as a serious cocktail destination.
