Other entertainment in Peru
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A
Nikoro
A chic bar that goes through spates of being really popular or really dead. If it’s lively, there’s nowhere better for a beer to watch sunset on the river. Go down the left-hand set of steps from Pevas to get there.
reviewed
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B
El Circuito Mágico del Agua
This indulgent series of illuminated fountains is so over-the-top it can’t help but induce stupefaction among even the most hardened traveling cynic. A dozen different fountains – all splendiferously illuminated – are capped, at the end, by a laser light show at the 120m-long Fuente de la Fantasía (Fantasy Fountain). The whole display is set to a medley of tunes comprised of everything from Peruvian waltzes to ABBA. Has to be seen to be believed.
reviewed
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C
Mythology
The iconic nightspot in an iconic party town, Mythology advertises itself as ‘only for gods’; whether you will feel god-like the morning after is debatable. Early in the night it’s dominated by rafting groups watching videos of their exploits on the big screen. After midnight the dance floor dependably goes wild, to the sounds of ’80s classics, Latino dance favorites and the guy next to the DJ whose job is apparently to shout encouragement to the sweating hordes.
reviewed
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D
Caos
At last – a nightclub just as Miami Vice tells us a nightclub should be. Make your entrance by sashaying down a neon-illuminated transparent Perspex stairway whose innards are home to some unfortunate, sensorily overstimulated carp. Order a drink at the massive, garish bar while admiring the Inca-styled water feature before hitting the shiny dance floor. The crowd here tends to very young locals, and music is a mixed bag.
reviewed
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E
Ayahuasca
Lima’s of-the-moment lounge resides in a stunning restored casona full of Moorish architectural flourishes. Not that anyone’s looking at the architecture – everyone’s checking out everyone else, in addition to the hyperreal decor that includes a dangling mobile made with costumes used in Ayacucho folk dances. There’s a long list of contemporary pisco cocktails, made with infusions of purple corn and coca leaves.
reviewed
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F
Smooth Jazz Bar
Absolutely nothing like its name implies, this tiny hole in the wall (holding 25 at a pinch) wins hearts for its phone-book-like list of drinks: three pages of cocktails and five different kinds of alcoholic hot tea are just the beginning. The music videos blasting from the TV in the corner are more likely to be Rod Stewart than Miles Davis, but 34 different piscos later, who cares?
reviewed
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G
Dóminos Megadisco
If you want to see how the locals get down, this is the place for you. Multi-leveled mayhem, a karaoke lounge, a dance floor that explodes to salsa, reggaetón (a blend of Puerto Rican bomba, dancehall and hip-hop) and rock, and cuba libre (rum and cola) by the jug: it all adds up to a great night, but it’s not for the faint-hearted.
reviewed
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H
Indigo
Indigo is the perfect bar to warm up for a big night out, with fresh Thai and Peruvian food (mains from S15), good coffee, games, hookah pipes and famous mojitos. Genuinely friendly staff, comfy couches, an open fire and a seriously cool circus vibe (there are swings!) make it hard to move on. Highly recommended.
reviewed
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I
Cross Keys
Cross Keys is the most established expat and traveler watering hole in town. It’s smothered in the trappings of a typical British pub, with leather bar-stools and plenty of dark wood. As well as a huge list of British beer, it offers good-value comfort food. Some say the S15 steak is the best-value meal in town.
reviewed
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J
Café Bar Habana
Boisterous Cuban proprietor Alexi García and his Peruvian wife, Patssy Higuchi, operate this homey drinking establishment that serves a highly delicious mojito (a cocktail of mint, rum and club soda). The couple, both of whom are artists, sometimes display their works in the adjacent gallery.
reviewed
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K
Kamizaraky Rock Pub
This can be said to be southern Peru’s best watering hole; this place feels like your best friend’s living room. It has a classic-rock soundtrack, unbelievably cool bartenders and liquor-infused coffee drinks essential for staying warm during Puno’s bone-chilling nights. It’s a hard place to leave.
reviewed
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La Choza del Candamo
Outside of town, this relaxed peña (bar/club featuring live folkloric music) has a restaurant where you can sample food from all three regions of Peru – coast, mountain and jungle – and listen to the latest live musical offerings. You’ll find it 4km along the airport road.
reviewed
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Queens
If you really need to shake your rump, head down to Queens, which is not in New York, but just east of town. On rowdy weekend nights the place is filled with gringos and well-heeled Peruvians shakin’ their money-makers to an eclectic international music mix.
reviewed
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L
El Bolivarcito
Facing the Plaza San Martín from the Gran Hotel Bolívar, this frayed yet bustling spot is known as ‘La Catedral del Pisco’ for purveying some of the first pisco sours in Peru. Order the double-sized pisco catedral if your liver can take it.
reviewed
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M
Bullfrogs
This gloriously glamorous new place, run by high-profile hipsters, offers a bit of everything. There’s cafe service from breakfast until 11pm, live music every night, billiards, beanbags, fairy lights and hookah pipes. Open early till late.
reviewed
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N
Retro Bar
In the same alley as Forum Rock Cafe, this rock ’n’ roll bar is a good spot to get the night going. The drink menu offers old favorites to sip on, and the building pulsates with live ’80s and ’90s music Thursdays through Saturdays.
reviewed
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O
Aura
Located in the LarcoMar shopping mall, Lima’s most exclusive club is minimally decorated and features house and guest DJs who spin a mix of house, hip-hop, electronica and Latin. Dress to the nines or you’re not getting in.
reviewed
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P
Bodega Miraflores
A frumpy spot with a grumpy counterman that serves strong, inky cortados (espresso with a dollop of steamed milk) made with coffee grown in Chanchamayo. Bagged, whole-bean coffee is available to take home.
reviewed
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Q
Huaringas
A popular Miraflores bar and lounge located inside the Brujas de Cachiche restaurant, Huaringas serves a vast array of cocktails, including a well-recommended passion-fruit sour. On busy weekends, there are DJs.
reviewed
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Capitán Bar
Capitán Bar, attached to Indio Feliz restaurant, is for grown-ups. It’s a colorful nautical- themed bar – just the place to sip a fine brandy and enlarge on your achievements on the Inca Trail.
reviewed
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R
Taberna de Don Jaime
This smoky tavern is a favorite with locals and tourists alike. It is also a showcase for artisanal wines and piscos. On weekends, the crowds show up to dance to live Latin and rock tunes into the wee hours.
reviewed
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S
Barroco Lounge
Although they also serve good sushi, the all-white, ultra-hip Barroco is all about martinis, boat-sized couches and mile-high bar stools. For all this gloss, the staff is surprisingly down to earth.
reviewed
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T
Al Krajo
Latin music blares through the barred windows of this hole-in-the-wall from opening until closing. It’s a decent place to sip a happy-hour pisco sour (grape brandy cocktail) and pester passers-by.
reviewed
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Ganso
Treehouse meets circus meets Batman! The hallucinatory decor in tiny, friendly Ganso is enough to drive anyone to drink. The firemen’s pole and swing seats are the icing on the cake.
reviewed
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U
Norton Rats
Run by a motorcycle enthusiast, this down-to-earth bar overlooking the Plaza de Armas has the best damn burgers in town. It’s also got TVs, darts and billiards to help you work up a thirst.
reviewed
