Wings, burgers, and local beer at 45 Gastro Pub
Gate-side in SJO’s international area, 45 Gastro Pub runs on a bar menu: wings, burgers, fries, and a few bar snacks, plus a small lineup of Costa Rican beers on tap and in bottles. Expect a solid beer and wing combo, but not a bargain; one traveler called the prices “painful” for what’s basically pub food in an airport.
This place sits airside after security for A/B departures, so it works for an evening outbound to the US or Europe when the terminal fills up. Price tier runs in the $$ range by airport standards, but compared to San José city bars, drinks and food come in noticeably higher. The vibe leans more bar than restaurant, with TVs, high-tops, and most people nursing drinks while watching the departure boards.
Menu focus: chicken wings in multiple sauces, burgers stacked with bacon or cheese, and basic sides like fries and nachos. Portion sizes skew medium, not huge, so ordering wings plus a side can quickly climb past $20 once you add a local IPA. If you just want a taste of Costa Rica, go for one local beer and skip mixed drinks, which several flyers say feel overpriced for the pour size.
Service draws mixed notes: one reviewer called the staff friendly but slow, especially during the big evening departure bank around 18:00–21:00. When the bar is packed, tickets back up and food can take 20–30 minutes. Regulars suggest grabbing seats right at the bar rail to get quicker refills and to flag your check in time for boarding.
What regulars actually do: stop for a single beer or glass of wine while charging devices and watching the screens, then grab something cheaper from a nearby snack stand closer to their A or B gate. If you want 45 Gastro Pub without stress, build in at least 45 minutes before boarding and sit where you can see your gate on the monitor.