The most iconic spot in San Salvador's Historic Center is waiting for you.
Be a part of history with us
A family-run business full of mystique, with an incredible generational crossover that makes it a place rich in experiences.
In memory of
Carlos Barrios
Carlos Barrios, the eternal guardian of Club La Dalia as we know it today. His legacy will live on through time: the preservation of an environment of togetherness—filled with joy, mystique, games, history, and admiration. La Dalia, a space and a brand now recognized both nationally and internationally.
Club La Dalia Timeline
The second floor that gave life to the portal—and now, a powerful and iconic brand.
The Portal del Norte, known as Portal La Dalia, was built in 1885 and stood out for its European style in a blossoming capital city. After a fire in the early 1900s, it was rebuilt in 1915 as a reinforced concrete building under the direction of the Italian firm A&A Farracutti.
Originally, the first floor housed an upscale clothing store in the 1940s, while the second floor was home to the Spanish Club—this is where the history of the famous billiard tables began. Later, in the 1960s, it became the Press Club of the Atlético Marte team, always maintaining its games of chance and tabletop games.
It was then that Don Carlos Barrios entered the scene and decided to purchase the business from Mr. Daura, officially turning it into Club Social La Dalia. It also became Don Carlos Barrios’s home for many years, where his entire family—especially his children—shared unforgettable moments, creating a deep emotional bond and love for the space now known as La Dalia: an iconic destination in the Historic Center of San Salvador, celebrated for its billiards, tabletop games, mystique, and its role as the area’s entertainment hub.
1937
The survival of the Club
The social changes our country went through served as a driving force to bring new dynamics of life to the area. This led to migrations of people who once lived in the Historic Center moving to the outskirts of the capital of San Salvador—and, conversely, new residents arriving in the Historic Center from other parts of El Salvador.
It was in this context that Club La Dalia took on the challenge of adapting to these changes, transforming into a space that once welcomed the upper class and later embraced the working class.
Relying on the principles of RESILIENCE, it remained standing—like in a slumber—waiting for the perfect moment to RISE AGAIN. La Dalia also follows a very unique social process, in which it played an important role in laying foundations. Its purpose went far beyond simply keeping a billiards hall alive. Don Carlos Barrios had a vision of building a family within the establishment. That’s why, to this day, his name is still spoken with nostalgia, affection, respect, and admiration. After his passing in 2009, La Dalia was passed on to his wife, Doña Carmen de Barrios, and his youngest daughter, Carla Barrios. It is now recognized as the oldest billiards hall in El Salvador and the most iconic bar in the Historic Center of San Salvador.
The Challenges of the Club and the Family
In 2011, Doña Carmen de Barrios decided to hand over the management of the venue to someone with the right profile—José Luis Villeda—to navigate the complicated situation in the area, thus preventing her youngest daughter from getting involved in the business and protecting her from the gangs that, in that year, began extorting rent.
Her daughter, Carla Barrios, would often sneak away from university to spend her afternoons at the place her father loved most, always feeling safe, as she had practically grown up in the area.
In 2018, Carla Barrios began secretly supporting Don José Luis, without the family's knowledge, and decided to create a brand strategy on social media to position the venue. She also introduced a cultural agenda with the support of Roberto Rivas from Tokadisco Social Club, taking advantage of the changes and new administration under then-mayor Nayib Bukele.
In 2019, Carla began exploring options with university students to develop the brand while she started working part-time at the Club. In 2020, José Luis Villeda passed away due to COVID—our heartfelt thanks to him in heaven for taking on the challenge and being a key part of the process. That same year, Carla decided to fully take the reins of the venue and put all her studies in Commercial Management and her Master’s in Advertising into practice, together with a team eager to help and tell a true story.
La Dalia
A family-run business led by visionaries and guardians
From Dreamer to Heiress
La Dalia has faced many challenges along the way, and through the power of art and culture, it managed to push back against the negative and antisocial activities that once took root in the Historic Center of San Salvador—creating a different form of control within, always with a strong commitment from the family.
Carla Barrios decided to step into her father's business, creating an action plan for the years to come and gradually adapting to the evolving demands of the area. Carla has faithfully preserved the original essence and legacy of her father, adding her own special touch and consistently promoting a cultural agenda with a more artistic focus that captures the attention of every visitor.
Her current goal is to position La Dalia as a traditional bar and restaurant in the area—and a must-visit tourist destination in the Historic Center.
Our Staff
By 2022, Club La Dalia already had a team of professionals committed to supporting the revival of San Salvador’s Historic Center and preserving the site’s history—with the solid foundations needed to continue the work that has been carried out uninterruptedly for over eight decades, resulting in a historic milestone for our country.
Today, Club La Dalia operates under the company Carba SA de CV, holding exclusive rights and maintaining the brand as private property.
This is, therefore, a success story—one that strives each day to keep a legacy alive. We proudly call ourselves the Guardians of History.
Distinguished guests
The billiards hall, which in its heyday welcomed renowned figures such as Pedro Infante, Luis Aguilar, Lucha Villa, Aniceto Porsisoca, Alfredo Espino, Claudia Lars, Salarrué, Hugo Lindo, Carlos Cañas, ambassadors, diplomats, and many other iconic personalities, became an unparalleled place—full of stories where generations and social classes come together to enjoy the same environment.
Today, we can proudly say that Club La Dalia has hosted over 700 national and international bands and artists, solidifying its place as a cultural landmark and a national treasure.
The gentlemen, the VIPs
To our beloved regulars and the iconic figures of this place—those who have been visiting us for over five decades and have remained loyal to La Dalia through good times and bad—thank you for always being here.
Present day
The evolution of La Dalia:
Our present and future
With over 80 years of history, your billiards hall, your favorite bar, and your special space are still here. We've enriched our cultural offering with live music, events, theater, art, and gastronomy. But most importantly, we remain a space created for EVERYONE—where you'll always feel at home.
La Dalia Presents
The La Dalia project aims to transcend and leave a well-established mark both nationally and internationally. The family history surrounding this iconic place makes it special and offers a truly unique experience. By creating a cultural agenda for the venue, both the offering and the demand have evolved. As of 2024, we can proudly say that La Dalia has hosted over 700 artistic and musical performances, both national and international. We thank Tokadisco Social Club for always supporting the project and for its strong commitment to growth and change.
El Salvador’s oldest bar and billiards hall is waiting for you.
What can you do at La Dalia?
El Salvador’s oldest billiards hall
A billiards hall with history, where the best have played and unforgettable stories have been made. Are you ready to show off your skills?
Our bar
You’ve got to come enjoy our mixology, you're sure to find a new favorite drink! And if not, we’ve got the perfect beer to cool you down right away.
Cultural agenda
Here, we host scheduled cultural events, live music, theater performances, galleries… if you have an artistic soul, this is your place.
Restaurant, café, and so much more
Dinner with friends, your partner, or family. Before or after exploring El Centro, stop by our restaurant.