Since the seventies, Cusco has been an interesting town to go out at night. The first bars and clubs started with ‘Moulan Rouge’ (written that way) located at Av. de la Cultura. Nowadays, Cusco offers a large array of pubs and clubs for different tastes and moods, even one dedicated to pisco, Peru’s flagship spirit.
Some of these bars and discos are already considered classics while others are more recent; however, all of them have something unique and fun to offer travelers and locals. Let’s take a look at the best places to enjoy a great night out in the city of the Incas.
Our selection consists of the most visited, special and fun places in the city, including El Muki or Ukukus, which are absolute benchmarks for Cusco locals and travellers.
This is one of the most popular and visited discotheques in town and has been around since the early nineties. Perfectly located overlooking Cusco’s main square (Plaza Mayor), Mama Africa gathers a diverse audience formed by travellers and locals. Its prices are reasonable, which is why a diverse crowd—from backpackers to older tourists—pay a visit.
Mama Africa has different levels and bars offering eclectic musical styles. You can choose between dancing the night away or having a chat and a bite to eat—and maybe both. This is the place to come if you are in the mood for a night of pure fun and dancing.
Ukukus Bar has been around for nearly three decades and calls itself a “cultural bar,” thanks to the live shows on the weekends. Local bands, musicians from Lima and even foreign bands can be found performing at Ukukus. Besides the live performances, Ukukus is a cozy place with a bohemian touch where you can dance and enjoy a nice drink.
If electronic music is what you love, Inka Team is the place for you. With two dance floors, this night spot plays trance, house and hip-hop mixed with current hits. That is why it is perhaps not the best place to have a calm chat. Their happy hour starts at 9pm. Enjoy!
El Muki is arguably one of the oldest and most visited discotheques in Cusco, and one of the first ones to appear in Peru. Established in 1979 as El Muki, it started out as La Caverna (The Cavern) in 1975, which is the reason why it has a very unique and bizarre decoration.
At El Muki you can expect to have a “retro” experience filled with a kind of kitsch ambience. El Muki’s music is quite varied so you will be able to dance to many beats, mainly pop music from the eighties and nineties.
This pub is only a few years old, yet it is already one of Cusco’s favorites. It all revolves around pisco, Peru’s tasty spirit which can be mixed and transformed into many delicious cocktails. This bar’s very complete offer makes it one of the best bars in Cusco today. Check out their food and drink combos, which are very popular amongst travellers.
Moreover, República del Pisco (The Pisco Republic) has an elegant atmosphere, which you can admire from the seat of a leather couch. The grand central bar allows you to easily spot your drinks being mixed. Located on Calle Plateros, within walking distance from the Plaza Mayor, this bar stays open until 2am.
Among Cusco’s nightlife offers is a relatively new spot that is cozy, relaxed and friendly. It is called La Chupitería. If you are looking for the best shots in town, this is the place to go. This trendy American-style bar is a favorite among young locals and backpackers. Their music is fun and wide-ranged. They also have board games and video games.
Interested in visiting these nightlife spots in Cusco? Book a train ride to Machu Picchu departing directly from Cusco city, and check out these recommended bars before or after your adventure to the Inca citadel.