Entertainment in Quito
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Teatro Sucre
Recently restored and now standing gloriously over the Plaza del Teatro, this is the city’s most historical theater. Performances range from jazz and classical music to ballet, modern dance and opera.
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Ta Güeno
A bohemian air, friendly vibe, a wonderful candle-lit terrace overlooking Guápulo, and big pitchers of delicious canelazo make this the most popular bar in Guápulo.
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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.
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Teatro Prometeo
Affiliated with the Casa de La Cultura Ecuatoriana, this inexpensive venue often has modern-dance performances and other shows that non-Spanish speakers can enjoy.
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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.
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Café Libro
Live music, poetry slams, contemporary dance, tango, jazz and other performances draw an artsy and intellectual crowd to this handsomely set Bohemian venue.
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Ocho y Medio
This Floresta film house shows great art films (often in English) and has occasional dance, theater and live music. There’s a small café attached.
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La Casa de la Peña
The setting alone, inside an ancient building in the old town, makes this intimate peña a great place to hear Ecuadorian folk music.
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Humanizarte
This excellent theater and dance group presents Andean dance performances. You can either call or check the website for other performances.
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