The rowdy night scene in Cusco contrasts sharply with the stately colonial atmosphere of the daytime. In the city´s lively bars and clubs backpackers, nationals, and locals can all party together. The closeness of the bars and clubs, the biggest of which are mostly all around the Main Square, means travelers can´t resist going with the old-school pub-crawl. We know a lot about it ourselves, having started the original Cusco hostel pub crawl lo those years ago! The happy folks at left are waiting for you at Pirwa’s Bar in Pirwa Colonial Backpackers hostel in Plaza San Francisco if you’re looking for a place to start….maybe they can even tell you the backstory about some of the pub crawl photos illustrating the post…

San Blas Hotspots

7 Angelitos- Best Mojitos
San Blas hotspot with live music every night- ranging from local Andean fusion bands to retro funk DJs- and the best mojitos in Cusco. (Calle Siete Angelitos 638, San Blas)

KM 0- Where to Hook-up!
Live music from Jazz to Rock to Andean fusion and happy hours that are infamous for occasioning hookups. (Calle Tandapata 100, San Blas)

Wachuma- Party with the Rastafaris
Reggae-loving DJ in the early hours, live music from around midnight on, and a laid-back relaxed atmosphere with low tables and big cushions in the upstairs area which will make it hard for you to get back up! (Hatun Rumiyoc 480, San Blas)

Plaza Hotspots: Bars & Clubs

Ukuku’s Bar & Club- Best Live Music Okay, I lie- it’s a tiny bit out of the Plaza, you have to turn the corner of Plateros and walk half a block, but it’s worth it. If the omnipresent-electronica beats start to bore you, head to brightly-colored Ukuku’s boasts a large dance floor and variety of live music and shows every night- alternative, Afro-Peruvian, jazz, latin, reggae, Andean fusion, rock, pop, techno, soul, and more. Open ‘till five in the morning, with a pizza bar for when your energy flags. Grab a flyer from the girls in front and on the corner and get in free. (Calle Plateros 316, 2nd floor)

Mushrooms Lounge Bar
If you can grab one of the booths overlooking the Plaza, Mushrooms Lounge Bar, with its fungi-centric design is a good place to chill and play some pool. Excellent cocktails, and as soon as you have some drinks in you only need to stumble one floor up to find yourself in Mama Africa for some dancing! (Portal de Panes 109, Plaza de Arma)

 

Mama Africa One of the most popular clubs in Cusco. Grab a flyer from the jaladores out front and on the corner and get in free befote 11pm- after 11pm there’s a S/10 cover with drink. Groove to an international dance mix of reggae, latin, techno, and rock with travelers and locals alike. The party here tends to get started late…there’s an 8:00-9:30pm Happy Hour, but you’ll be waiting around for quite a while before people start arriving! Corner of Calle Triunfo and Santa Catalina (Portal de Harinas 191- Left of the Cathedral)

For the Rugby Fans!: The Plaza Pubs

Cross Keys
For a taste of England in Peru, stop by here for your sports, darts, or pool needs. Grab a balcony seat, some pub grub and some beers and commisserate with some of Cusco’s expat community. Happy hour is 6-7pm and 9-9:30pm- it’s only open until 1am, so you’ll need to relocate if you were planning on a late night. (Confiturias 233, Plaza de Armas, facing the cathedral)

Paddy Flaherty’s Another lively spot for watching rugby and other sports with some beer and junk food. This is another cozy pub that’s only open until 1am so switch to one of the Plaza bars or clubs if you want to hold on until the sun comes up. (Triunfo 124, Plaza de Armas, right of the Cathedral)

Out of the Plaza (But Close by…): Find the Party!

Fallen Angel

This campy restaurant and bar features a wild decor that includes bathtubs filled with fish and topped with glass for the tables and red and black sofas with heart pillows. Get there by climbing the narrow street from the Plaza de Armas as if you were heading to San Blas or to see the 12-angled stone- it’s the first little plaza you’ll cross. (Plaza de Nazarenas 221)

Kamikase One of the first nightclubs in Cusco with funky decor, live music ranging from Spanish rock to reggae, a 2-level bar, and nightly drink specials. A little less crowded than some of the other clubs and as many locals as gringos come here to party. Plaza a Regocijo is the little plaza right next to the Plaza de Armas, so you’re not going to far out. Happy hour 8:30 – 9:30 pm and live music begins at 11pm. (Plaza Regocijo 274, second floor)