Entertainment in Lima
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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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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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Juanito’s
- Lima, Peru
- Entertainment › Bar
This worn-in woody bar – it was a leftist hangout in the 1960s – is one of the mellowest haunts in Barranco. Decorated with a lifetime’s worth of theater posters, this is where the writerly set arrives to swig chilcano de pisco and deconstruct the state of humanity. There’s no sign; look for the crowded room lined with wine bottles.
reviewed
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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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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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Treff's
This German-style tavern, tucked away from the street through a winding colonial passageway, is another international favorite. It offers friendly service and a pool table, and is a little quieter than the previously listed joints.
reviewed
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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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Tai Lounge
- Lima, Peru
- Entertainment › Bar
One of Lima's most exclusive spots, Tai Lounge draws the cream of young limeños, who appreciate the plush lounging areas, cool outside patios and suave clientele. It also hosts a good Thai restaurant.
reviewed
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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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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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Old Pub
- Lima, Peru
- Entertainment › Pub
At the far end of ‘Pizza Street, ’ this flag-draped pub has darts, a large-screen cable TV blaring sports, a few British brews (in a tin) and plenty of Cusqueña (a light lager from Cuzco) on tap.
reviewed
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O'Murphys
- Lima, Peru
- Entertainment › Pub
This Irish pub has - sadly - no Irish beer or much ale choice at all. It's nonetheless popular and less sardine-can-like than many of the hole-in-the-wall bars that abound in central Miraflores.
reviewed
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Estadio Nacional
Fútbol is the national obsession, and Peru’s Estadio Nacional, off cuadras 7 to 9 of Paseo de la República, is the venue for the most important matches and other events.
reviewed
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Gótica
A fashionable, high-energy dance spot with a churchy interior and a mix of DJs playing electronica, hip-hop and pop. It sometimes serves as a venue for live Latin dance bands.
reviewed
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Acantilado de Barranco
Sharing the same good views next door to La Posada del Mirador is this more formal place, where you can still find 1950s cocktails like the Rusty Nail on the menu.
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Ekeko Bar
From Monday-night poetry readings to local cover bands, this ragged two-story spot has it all. When popular acts are playing, expect to pay a cover (about S10).
reviewed
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Déjà Vu
A bar that also has dancing, this vintage place has two tiers: upstairs, expect thumping international beats; downstairs you’ll find traditional Peruvian acts.
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Sargento Pimienta
More accessible is this reliable spot in Barranco, whose name means ‘Sergeant Pepper.’ The barnlike club hosts various theme nights and occasional live bands.
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Los Delfines Bar
Delfines Hotel y Casino’s elegant bar marries all the best qualities of a corporate expense account with the dolphin trick show at the local aquarium.
reviewed
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Punta G
- Lima, Peru
- Entertainment › Bar
Another cosmopolitan bar frequented by the in crowd, the intimate Punta G boasts some terrific cocktails. There's no sign; look for the white doors.
reviewed
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Media Naranja
- Lima, Peru
- Entertainment › Bar
You can’t miss the enormous, brightly colored flags that hang over this boisterous outdoor Brazilian bar-cafe where the cachaça flows like water.
reviewed
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Tequila Rocks
This long-established clubbing haunt plays all the crowd-pleasing favorites and has a well-deserved reputation as a travelers' pick-up joint.
reviewed
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Teatriz
In LarcoMar, the modern Teatriz draws an older clientele who later spill out into the mall's late-night cafés to cool their aching feet.
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Jazz Zone
A variety of jazz, folk, cumbia, flamenco and other acts at this intimate, well-recommended club on the eastern side of Miraflores.
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UVK Multicines
The LarcoMar branch has a ‘CineBar,’ where, for S23, you can sit in a theater with bar tables and have cocktails delivered to your seat.
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