Nightlife in Peru

Though many people travel to Peru to enjoy its vast beauty and its tremendous history, those who seek a little fun when the sun goes down can certainly find their share of night spots, particularly in the country’s largest cities. Lima, for example, is crawling with clubs, bars, and other nightlife destinations, Cuzco has its share of establishments, and even Iquitos – in the middle of the Amazon – has a few hot spots as well. You’ll find others scattered in major towns as well, such as in Arequipa’s old quarter, where the nightlife scene is quite lively, or in Puerto Maldonado, where night spots are constantly emerging. Trujillo has lots of clubs and bars as well and so does Chiclayo, now the fourth largest city in Peru.

 

In addition, many of these cities offer performing arts opportunities including concerts, theater, and much more. Tickets are generally fairly reasonable and these are a good option for those who really don’t enjoy the bar scene.

Hence, wherever you travel in Peru, you are sure to find a nighttime activity to enjoy, ranging from large and raucous clubs to much more subdued activities, depending on what you prefer and where you find yourself at the time. Here are a few suggestions for some evening entertainment.

Lima

Throughout Lima you’ll find all sorts of things to do at night. First of all, if you’re looking for some culture, this city has it all including theater, opera, ballet, and symphony orchestra offerings. Check out the schedules at the Museo de la Nacion, Teatro Segura, and the Instituto Cultural Peruano Norteamericano. The Miraflores section of the city is especially good for theater, but you’ll need to be able to understand Spanish as all plays/musicals are in the native language.

If it’s clubs you seek, you won’t be disappointed. Again, there are quite a few in Miraflores including some that may take you by surprise, like O’Murphy’s Irish Pub, where you can grab a pint of Guinness. The Barranco neighborhood is also known for its bar and club scene and these tend to attract a more sophisticated, artistic crowd of young professionals. Lima Centro also has its share of night spots including one that’s dedicated entirely to fans of futbol (soccer for the Americans) – the Estadio Futbol Club. You’ll find quite a few jazz clubs in town, too.

Cusco

Most people head to Cusco before or after they go to Machu Picchu, expecting it to be just a place they can hang out and enjoy a little history or get acclimated to the high elevation before hiking the Inca Trail or heading to great Inca sites. However, Cusco has a pretty lively nightlife as well, so while you’re biding your time, you’ll find plenty to do when the lights come on.

Most of the pubs and bars in Cusco can be found in the Plaza de Armas area or in San Blas, which is a little more artsy and sophisticated. You’ll even find a number of bars in Cusco with English names, indicative of the diverse population there. Some of the establishments are quite rowdy – you’ll even notice some biker bars – while others are subdued and more suitable to an older crowd. Dance clubs are quite popular as well.

If you’re hoping for something calmer, check out Kusikay at the Garcilaso Theater.  It’s the closest you’ll get to musical theater in Peru but with a twist that may remind you of a Cirque du Soleil act. It’s fascinating and entertaining! There are also plenty of places that show English-language movies if you wish to visit the cinema during your stay.

Arequipa

The second most-populous city in Peru has a happening nightlife scene as well. You won’t find much culture here – a.k.a. theater, classical music, dance – but visitors have plenty of clubs and cafes with live music from which to choose. Most of them are concentrated in the area around Calle San Francisco and Calle Zela but you’ll find others scattered throughout the rest of the city as well.

Live Andean music is the entertainment of choice in many establishments in Arequipa and listening to it is a joy. Often, the musicians are joined by dancers who display the fine art of local dance. But live music isn’t limited to folksy stuff; you’ll also hear everything from jazz to heavy metal in Arequipa bars and clubs. Also look for Irish pubs, German-style beer houses, and other ethnic offerings in this diverse city.

Iquitos

Who’d have thought that this largely inaccessible town in the middle of the Amazon Basin would even have a nightlife? But while Iquitos clubs tend to lack the glitz of those in Lima, Arequipa, and Cusco and there are indeed far fewer than you might find in those other cities, they are generally warm and friendly and welcome visitors with open arms.

Two clubs stand out as among the most visited. One is Noa-Noa, a disco with a two-level dance floor where salsa is king; and Café-Teatro Amauta, an artsy spot that attracts a pleasant crowd. At the later establishment, you’ll hear everything from traditional Amazon music to Latin tunes. These clubs are both popular with locals and a great place for travelers to make some new friends during their stay in Iquitos.

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