Entertainment in Ecuador
-
Finn McCool’s
Proudly flying the green, white and orange, this Irish-owned bar is the current favorite among expats (and a growing number of locals) for its friendly, welcoming vibe, quiz nights (currently Tuesday) and pool, darts and table football. The classic wood-lined bar is also a good place to dig into fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, burgers and other pub grub.
reviewed
-
A
Bungalow 6
The favorite Mariscal dance spot among foreigners, Bungalow 6 plays a good mix of beats – salsa, reggae and British and North American hits. The small but lively dance floor, good drink specials and popular events nights (including as Ladies night on Wednesday) always attract a festive crowd. Arrive early to avoid being turned away.
reviewed
-
Puerto Pirata
If you need a drink after climbing to the hill’s summit, stop in at Puerto Pirata; you can’t miss this faux pirate ship below the lighthouse. It has drinks and food (mains $5), and live music on weekends.
reviewed
-
El Viejo Minero
This rustic old watering hole is the perfect place for a relaxed beer and snacks in a friendly pub-like environment.
reviewed
-
Fauno
A slick three-level club attracting the younger crowd with Latin rock on weekends.
reviewed
-
B
Turtle’s Head
Raucous spot with decent beer and food.
reviewed
-
Discos
At night, downtown is deserted for the more fashionable karaoke, bar and discoteca neighborhood further south. Take a taxi to the intersection of Flavio Reyes and Calle 20, uphill from Playa Murciélago, and check out the options. Since many fashionable discos open and close in a drum beat, ask around for the latest hot spots. Don't bother going early in the week or before 23:00.
reviewed
-
C
Tijuana
On Reina Victoria, around Santa María and Pinta, there are several wildly popular bars with packed weekend dance-floors. The area is flooded with bar-hoppers, taxis and hotdog vendors, but it's a dangerous area after dark, so don't wander far from the club entrances. Inside you're fine. Tijuana is a favorite, blasting out a broad mix of international dance music.
reviewed
-
D
Papillon
On Reina Victoria, around Santa María and Pinta, there are several wildly popular bars with packed weekend dance-floors. The area is flooded with bar-hoppers, taxis and hotdog vendors, but it's a dangerous area after dark, so don't wander far from the club entrances. Inside you're fine. Papillon, blasting out a broad mix of international dance music.
reviewed
-
E
Teatro Bolívar
Likely the city’s most illustrious theater and definitely one of its most important, the Bolívar is currently undergoing restoration work after a fire nearly burnt it to the ground. Performances and tours are still given, everything from theatrical works to international tango-electronica gigs. It’s situated between Flores and Guayaquil.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
F
Blues
Quito’s only late-night club, Blues is the place party-goers head at 3am. DJs spin electronica and rock (with live rock bands playing on Thursday nights) to a style-conscious quiteño crowd. Well-respected international DJs spin here, and depending on the night, Blues can be great fun (sometimes the DJs and crowd disappoint).
reviewed
-
G
El Pobre Diablo
Locals and expats rate El Pobre Diablo as one of Quito’s best places to hear live music. It’s a friendly, laid-back place with a well-curated selection of talent (jazz, blues, world music, experimental sounds) performing most nights. It’s also a great place to dine, with delectable fusion fare, a solid cocktail menu and a great vibe.
reviewed
-
H
El Aguijón
This excellent and unpretentious nightclub in the Mariscal attracts a good ratio of 20-something locals and foreigners. The space is open and somewhat industrial, with video art playing on a large screen above the dance floor. DJs spin a little of everything on weekends, with live bands on Thursday and salsa on Wednesday.
reviewed
-
I
Ananké
The newest branch of Ananké brings Bohemian style to the Mariscal. In addition to the tasty wood-fired pizzas, Ananké hosts an excellent lineup of musical talent including jazz, salsa, ska, funk, cumbia and reggae. Even if there’s nothing on, the outdoor courtyard is an idyllic spot for an evening drink.
reviewed
-
Chino’s Café & Bar
If you need a breather after enduring the border hassles and before tackling onward transport, Chino’s Café & Bar, immediately after you cross the bridge into Ecuador, is a good spot. Grab a beer or a juice and an outdoor table to watch the comings and goings.
reviewed
-
J
Ballet Folklórico Nacional Jacchigua
This folkloric ballet is as touristy as it is spectacular. It is presented daily at the Teatro Demetrio Agilera at the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana, and is quite a show. Contact any travel agency or upper-end hotel for tickets, or buy them at the door or online.
reviewed
-
K
Naranjilla Mecánica
One room is covered entirely in red fur and outside, grass abuts the carpet beneath a VIP hammock. Cool art adorns the walls and an ultra hip crowd sips blood-red cocktails to house and techno. In other words, it doesn't get much hipper than this.
reviewed
-
L
Seseribó
Quito’s best salsoteca is a must-stop for salsa fans. The music is tops, the atmosphere is superb and the dancing is first-rate. Devoted salseros (salsa dancers) turn up on Thursday, which makes it a great night to go.
reviewed
-
M
Mirador de Guápulo
This cozy café-cum-bar sits on the cliffside overlooking Guápulo. The views are unbeatable, and the snacks – mostly Ecuadorian specialties – are tasty. There’s live music Wednesday through Saturday nights, with a cover charge of $5.
reviewed
-
N
Coffee Tree
A good place to start the night off is this outdoor bar anchoring lively Reina Victoria. There’s great people-watching from the tables on the plaza (and numerous other eating/drinking spots nearby). It also roasts its own coffee.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
O
La Reina Victoria
This longtime expat watering hole is a cozy spot for a drink, with a fireplace, dartboard, bumper pool, and Anglo pub ambience. There’s also decent pub fare including pizzas and fish and chips. Happy hour runs from 5pm to 7pm.
reviewed
-
P
Tal Cual
Tucked into a narrow stairway, this bar attracts a friendly local crowd, especially Thursdays through Saturdays when there’s live music. Friday and Saturday it’s salsa and merengue, and the chairs are cleared for dancing.
reviewed
-
Q
Bar San Ángel
On the 2nd floor of an old building, San Ángel is too small to be a nightclub, but the atmosphere sure pushes in that direction. It's popular with locals who come for the live music Thursday through Saturday nights.
reviewed
-
Skyway
Latacunga is pretty quiet, but if you want to see what the local youth get up to on a weekend night, pop into Skyway, where karaoke is free on Friday nights. Saturdays are all about the dance floors.
reviewed
-
El Bunker
The name suits this windowless, downstairs location that gets steamy on weekends with a mixture of reggaetón (a blend of Puerto Rican bomba, dancehall and hip-hop), Latin pop and hip-hop.
reviewed