Other entertainment in Ecuador
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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
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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
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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
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B
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
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C
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
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D
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
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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
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E
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
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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
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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
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Sweet & Coffee
For specialty hot and cold coffee drinks, cakes and free wi-fi, head to the Starbucks imitator Sweet & Coffee; a much larger branch on Estrada in the northern suburb of Urdesa is very popular.
reviewed
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F
Arte con Sabor a Café
Cuban-owned and host to local, national and international acts of all kinds, this small café and bar has a $4 cover charge, small plates ($3 to $5) and great Cuba Libres, of course! Music starts at 10pm.
reviewed
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New Bar
Twilight’s frenetic buzz concludes around 9:30pm, when most good citizens and internet addicts head for home. If you’re in the mood, try New Bar, whose dim ambience encourages karaoke.
reviewed
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Cafeteria D’Primera
A bright spot on a relatively blighted street, making it perfect for a morning (instant) coffee or fresh-squeezed juice ($1.25); empanadas ($0.40) and tortillas ($0.60) can cure the hunger pangs.
reviewed
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Ananké Guápulo
This cozy bar-pizzeria sits perched on the hillside in Guápulo. It has a wee terrace (complete with fireplace) and several good nooks for secreting away with a cocktail and a friend.
reviewed
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Infynity
The concrete and thatch-roofed Infynity, with a tropical flavor, is one of the best discos in Las Palmas. Note: an unescorted woman may encounter serious hassles.
reviewed
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Bongo Bar
A trendy spot replete with flat-screen TVs showing videos (often of the islands themselves), loud music, a pool table and a lubricated mix of locals, guides and tourists.
reviewed
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Emerald Forest Blues
An ’80s soundtrack fills the background of this friendly little bar owned by Luís García, a popular local guide. Beer drinkers belly up to the bar well before lunchtime.
reviewed
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G
Vulcano
One of the few downtown gay and lesbian clubs is Vulcano, which has drag shows Friday and Saturday nights and otherwise moves to techno rhythms.
reviewed
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H
Café Habana
Newly inaugurated in 2008, this dark-wood tavern offers live music (Cuban son, salsa) Thursday through Saturday nights, served alongside traditional Cuban fare.
reviewed
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Free Soul Café
Nothing more than a few shaded tables set outside in a rocky patio, this place is good for a quick empanada fix ($0.80) or coffee, juices and shakes.
reviewed
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Crazy
Flashing strobes and blaring Latin pop inspire movement at Crazy, the discoteca (discotheque) in Hotel Sara Espindola.
reviewed
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Sankt Florian
This classy café and bar in a historic Calle Larga house has billiards, live music, and a Happy Hour from 8pm to 10pm Wednesday to Saturday.
reviewed
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Coyote Disco Club
The Coyote Disco Club, near Quito, is a huge, somewhat upscale bar and dance club geared toward Ambato’s wealthier youth.
reviewed
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Discoteca La Galera
Next to Hotel Pumarosa, Discoteca La Galera has a fun, grown-up atmosphere, even though there’s an attached roller-rink.
reviewed