Peru Info
Joined: 23 Nov 2006
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 Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 5:31 am Post subject: NIGHTLIFE IN PERU / PERU NIGHTLIFE GUIDE (LIMA) |
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NIGHTLIFE IN PERU (LIMA)
Lima’s nightlife is buzzing. Bars and clubs are full of young Peruvians and ‘gringos’ gyrating to anything from salsa to Argentine rock. The evening doesn’t really get going until late and Limeños tend to dress up to go out. The heart of the city’s nightlife is focused in Miraflores, San Isidro and Barranco. The live music bars and clubs around the Parque Kennedy and flashy discos (Señor Frogs and Teatriz) in the Larco Mar shopping mall, dominate Miraflores nightlife. San Isidro offers a more sophisticated scene
for the more mature. The perennial hot spot is Barranco, which bursts into life on Thursday night and carries on until the early hours of Monday morning. Here a bar can fall out of favor within weeks, so it is always best to ask locals for guidance.
The smartest places have a dress code and nightclubs charge between PEN18/US$5 and PEN36/US$10 entrance. There are no strict licensing laws in Peru, which means that children are allowed into most bars and cafés, although one must be over 18 years to drink. A beer usually costs around PEN4-5, while a cocktail costs PEN10-15. Licensing hours are flexible and the most popular bars are open throughout the night or for as long as there are customers to serve.
Bars
For a taste of an old-fashioned Miraflores bar, head to Haiti, Avenida Diagonal 160, which, with its large terrace and smoked glass, invokes memories of the Parisian boulevards. It is a good place to enjoy a pisco sour, before heading to the nearby cinema. La Bodega de La Tratoria, Calle General Borgoso 784, Miraflores, is a perfect site for elegant tapas-type snacks and a beer, all within sight of an ancient Peruvian burial site, La Huaca. For a relaxing Irish-style pub that is not a ghetto for homesick ex-pats, it’s hard to top O’Murphy’s, Calle Schell 627, Miraflores, which serves draught beer, hosts live music and has been expanded to include a dancefloor. An honest, spit-and-sawdust Barranco bar is Juanito’s, Avenida Grau 274, serving beer in pitchers and delicious cured ham sandwiches with onions and chilli. The odd, often-inebriated wandering minstrel supplies the music. La Noche, Avenida Bolognesi 307, Barranco, just off the main square, is one of the most popular spots. Barranco is also home to several small, ‘hole-in-the-wall’ bars, which, because of their cheap prices, are favoured by students and die-hard drinkers, who swig back the beer or spirits until they can hardly stand.
Casinos
There are several casinos and slot-machine halls in Lima. One of the most accessible and enjoyable is probably Casino La Hacienda, Avenida 28 de Julio 511, Miraflores, which is part of the luxury hotel of the same name. The rooms are comfortable, the waiter service attentive and there is plenty of parking space. Casino La Hacienda does not operate a dress code, although this tends to be formal. The minimum age is 18, although a passport is not required. The casino is open 1800-0600.
Clubs
Bar Kitsch, Avenida Bolognesi 743, Barranco, is for disco lovers, who come to revel in the flowery wallpaper, the impromptu bar dancing and excellent cocktails. It gets busy on Friday and Saturday. Much larger and trendier is La Noche, Avenida Bolognesi 307, which has two bars, dozens of tables on two floors and a stage for live music – for which there is a small entry fee. The owners have just opened a second bar in central Lima, in the third block of Jiron Quilca. In Miraflores, Santa Sede, block six of Avenida 28 de Julio, is the regular haunt of the young and bohemian. It plays a pleasing mix of pop and salsa. Before leaving Lima, the visitor should sample at least one salsodromo, a salsa dance club, such as Kimbara, Avenida Republica de Panama 1401, La Victoria, for a true taste of South American smoldering style.
Live music
Lima rocks at the weekend, although there is usually something going on during the week too. A cool, mellow jazz evening on Monday and Saturday nights can be had at Jazz Zone, Avenida La Paz 656, Miraflores, which lays on a variety of bands from blues to experimental jazz. La Casona de Barranco, Avenida Grau 329, Barranco, also offers good live jazz sessions on Monday nights and at the weekend.
Peñas
You should check out at least one peña, a criollo music club that quite often inspires rousing vocal and dance participation, during your stay in Lima. Cover charges range from US$1 to US$10, depending on the act.
Miraflores
Caballero de Fina Estampa, Av. del Ejército 800 (tel. 01/441-0552), named for one of the most famous Peruvian songs of all time, is one of the chicest peñas, with a large colonial salon and balconies. The cover charge is a little hefty for Lima: US$13. Sachún, Av. del Ejército 657 (tel. 01/441-4465), is favored by tourists and middle-class Limeños who aren't shy about participating with their feet and vocal chords. The cover charge ranges from US$7- US$13.
Barranco
De Rompe y Raja, Manuel Segura 127 (tel. 01/247-3271), is a favorite of locals. Look for the popular Matices Negros, an Afro-Peruvian dance trio. The cover is usually around S/25 ($7). Las Guitarras, Manuel Segura 295 (tel. 01/479-1874), is where locals go to play an active part in their peña. A cool spot, it's open Friday and Saturday only, with no cover charge and no credit cards accepted. The excellent restaurant Manos Morenas, Pedro de Osma 409 (tel. 01/467-0421), is a sophisticated peña with a US$12 cover charge. Shows are given Tuesday through Thursday from 9pm onward, and Friday and Saturday from 10:30pm until 2am or so. La Candelaria, Bolognesi 292 (tel. 01/247-1314), is a new, comfortable club celebrating Peruvian folklore. It's open Friday and Saturday from 9pm onward; the cover is US$7.
For a unique experience, check out the totally informal and impromptu shows at Songoro Cosongo, Ayacucho 281 at the edge of Puente de Suspiros (tel. 01/247-4730). The owner gets together with local and invited musicians and jams at this airy old house with a distinctly Cuban feel; you'll hear Peruvian classics, Afro-Peruvian numbers and Cuban son, depending on their mood. The home-cooked food is inexpensive and delicious. Del Carajo, Av. Jorge Chávez 403 (tel. 01/247-7023), on the road to Las Palmas, is another top peña with good live music, percussion, and dance shows Tuesday through Saturday starting at 10pm.
Lima Centro
Brisas del Titicaca, Jr. Walkulski 168, the first block of Avenida Brasil (tel. 01/332-1901), is a cultural institution with "noches folklóricas" and some of the best shows in Lima. It's open Wednesday and Thursday from 8pm, and Friday and Saturday from 10pm. |
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