As per subject line, what part of the city would be best to base myself in - to be close to bars, restaurants, etc? There are bars, karaokes, restaurants, cafes, sports fields, cinemas, etc. Lots of hotels, restaurants and bars within walking distance and Metrocentro Mall is close. You should also spend an evening at Puerto Salvador Allende , a popular bar-restaurant area on the lakefront.
Enjoy Managua. Galerias area in my opinion is terrible for nightlife, but im not into the swanky wine bars and overpaying a ridiculous amount of drinks and cover charges. I think the Los Robles area is a good option.
Once you get up to metrocentro you are running out of options. The area just west of plaza inter is also good for some more local style nightclubs, bars, and music oriented nightlife. There are a bunch of hotels there too. Lots of pool halls, dance clubs, and street food. One of my personal favorite spots. Its not far from Bello Horizonte but tucked away in a residential area. Thanks all.
Booked a place on 25 Av. Sureste following Nicaraguan1's post. However, looks like I'm not any further away from Wix suggestion Los Robles. A lot gets talked about safety. I guess I won't know until I get down there - but how much of an issue is it for a gringo to be roaming around those areas on foot?
Its a big city, so use all the common sense of walking around any big city. Its not the kind of city where any gringo out on their own will get mugged in 10 seconds. Ive walked around almost every block of the city over the past number of years, by myself, or with others, at varying times of night and day and never once had anything happen.
