Lima Nightlife
Dip into Lima's thriving night scene and you'll find everything from salsa beats to smooth jazz. After-dark revelries bursts into action late on Thursday night and lasts until the early hours of Sunday morning.
In Miraflores, music bars and clubs crowd around Parque Kennedy while the swankiest clubs are set in the Larcomar shopping centre. The perennial hotspot is Barranco where the hippest bars, clubs and music haunts take over both scrappy hole-in-the-walls and sophisticated colonial mansions.
Those hankering after a more cultural soiree will find the answer in Lima's colourful peñas (folkloric dance shows) where nabbing a table will involve a cover charge. The reward is vibrant music and traditional song performed by high-octane, costumed performers.
Tickets can be bought in advance from the booking agency Teleticket (tel: +51 1 613 8888; www.teleticket.com.pe) or from venue box offices. Many large supermarkets also have ticket booths.
Bars in Lima
Ayahuasca
For a striking setting and killer cocktails, make for this super-trendy restobar in Barranco, which buzzes with the young and beautiful. Set across three-storeys of a stunning 19th-century mansion, indoor and outdoor areas are outfitted in mismatched, colourful decor. Suave mixologists shaking up inventively flavoured pisco sours across its various bars.
Address: Barranco, Prolongación San Martín 130, Lima,Telephone: +51 981 044 745.
Website: http://www.ayahuascarestobar.com
Juanito de Barranco
For a slice of history with your drink, pull up a stool at Juanito de Barranco – the iconic haunt where Barranco's artists, musicians and writers once congregated. A bust of the late owner, Juanito, sits behind the bottle-crammed bar where his sons serve up cheap beer alongside small plates of marinated pigs' trotters and creamy huancaína potatoes.
Address: Barranco, Avenida Grau 270, Lima,Telephone:
La Noche
Just off Barranco's main square, La Noche is one of Lima's best-loved drinking holes. Across a sprawling multi-storied edifice, it counts two bars and a stage for live music with a popular Monday night jazz session. Nearby streets are crammed with little bars favoured by students and die-hard drinkers for getting merry on cheap drinks.
Address: Barranco, Avenida Bolognesi 307, Lima,Telephone: +51 1 247 1012.
Website: http://www.lanoche.com.pe
Clubs in Lima
El Dragon
An easy-going crowd revel to a mix of home-grown and international beats at this popular Barranco hangout that promises a reliably jovial atmosphere. The weekly programme caters for all manner of musical persuasions, from funk to electronica. Weekend DJ nights see the party crank up to full swing while Thursdays give a good glimpse of local bands.
Address: Barranco, Avenida Nicolas de Pierola 168, Lima,Telephone: +51 1 715 5043.
Website: http://www.eldragon.com.pe
Gótica
One of the more exclusive clubs in Lima, Gótica is set in the basement of the Larcomar shopping centre in Miraflores. From Thursday to Saturday you'll find all of the most glamorous limeños cramming the vast dancefloor and shaking their stuff to the DJ's selection of the latest local and international dance hits.
Address: Miraflores, Larcomar, Lima,Telephone: +51 1 256 2320.
Website: http://www.gotica.com.pe
La Candelaria
You haven't fully experienced Lima's nightlife until visiting a peña (a live traditional music club), where all ages gather for lively creole and traditional folk music. It's a predominantly local crowd that fills La Candelaria in Barranco, where revelries kick off around 2230 until gone 0300. Food is available, as are some exceedingly pungent pisco sours.
Address: Barranco, Avenida Bolognesi 292, Lima,Telephone: +51 1 247 1314.
Website: http://www.lacandelariaperu.com
Live music in Lima
Brisas del Titicaca
This is one of Lima' finest spots for folkloric shows held from Tuesday to Saturday. All manner of thrilling dance troupes and musicians appear garbed in flamboyant costume on the stage of this big hall, depicting Peruvian culture and music from across the country that always merits a standing encore. Advanced booking recommended.
Address: Centre, Jirón Héroes de Tarapacá 168, Lima,Telephone: +51 1 715 6960.
Website: http://www.brisasdeltiticaca.com
Cocodrilo Verde
Just near Parque Kennedy, Cocodrilo Verde continues to be an absolute hit. Its live music line-up spans jazz, rock, blues and traditional Peruvian sounds and can be enjoyed over snacks or heartier meals along with a dangerously drinkable pisco cocktail - the Cocodrilo Sour is a particular favourite.
Address: Miraflores, Francisco de Paula Camino 226, Lima,Telephone: +51 1 242 7583.
Website: http://www.cocodriloverde.com
Jazz Zone
While most of Lima's best live music venues kick off at the weekend, this sultry music lounge offers a lively programme throughout the week. From Monday to Saturday, contemporary shows play Latin jazz, bossa nova, blues and experimental jazz to an eclectic crowd. You'll find it in the easy-to-miss shopping passageway El Suche in Miraflores.
Address: Miraflores, Pasaje El Suche, Avenida La Paz 656, Lima,Telephone: +51 1 241 8139.
Website: http://www.jazzzoneperu.com
