If you’re planning a trip to Cusco, you’ve probably already thought about enjoying incredible Peruvian cuisine. This comes as no surprise: every tourist seeking new adventures also wants to explore the country’s traditional dishes. Fortunately, Cusco’s nightlife offers a wide range of bars and restaurants, making it easy to find great options in the city’s most popular areas.
That said, if you’re looking for a traditional dinner with great quality and excellent service, this guide will save you a lot of time figuring out which are the best bars in Cusco. And if you want to keep exploring Peruvian cuisine beyond Cusco, check out our guide to Peruvian jungle foods.
Bars and Nightlife in Cusco
Peru’s nightlife scene is vibrant and varied, offering something for every taste and budget. Cusco is known for its lively after-dark culture, with a wide range of bars, clubs, and discotheques offering live music, traditional dance, and parties until dawn.
You’ll find laid-back pubs perfect for a casual drink with friends, electronic music clubs that go until sunrise, and venues hosting both local and international acts. A few tips before you go:
Read reviews before visiting to get a sense of the drinks and service quality. If you have a preference — craft beer, cocktails, pisco — look for a bar that specializes in it. Pay attention to the atmosphere. Look for a welcoming, enjoyable, and safe environment.
The 6 Best Bars in Cusco
Architecture. History. Landscapes. Gastronomy. Cusco has it all — and if you want a complete experience, you need to know where to recharge after long hikes and excursions.
El Duende
If you want something truly traditional, this is where you’ll find Cusco’s best té piteado — a hot alcoholic drink that tastes surprisingly like an herbal infusion. El Duende serves pitchers for sharing alongside excellent food, just five minutes from the Plaza de Armas.
El Jardín Secreto
Just steps from the Plaza de Armas, this open-air terrace runs from the afternoon into the evening, offering live music, dinners with a broad menu, and an excellent drinks list.
Wild Rover
This modern hostel has one of the best rooftop terraces in Cusco, with unbeatable views of the city given its central location. Great for breakfast before an excursion, with giant screens for football matches and weekend barbecue parties.
República del Pisco
The go-to for cocktail lovers. The star is pisco — Peru’s iconic spirit — served in a wide range of combinations with exotic fruit juices you won’t find anywhere else.
Limbus
If you like sharing travel photos on social media, Limbus delivers with sophisticated drink presentations that are genuinely impressive. They also brew their own craft beers and are well-regarded for service quality.
London Town Lounge Bar
Well-known for its live shows, this bar features a full menu spanning Peruvian, Mexican, and South American dishes alongside an excellent cocktail selection. Shows typically start around midnight.
Conclusiones
There are many other pubs, terraces, and bars around the Plaza de Armas and other key spots in the city. These six, however, stand out for their variety of food, entertainment, and service quality. And if you want to complete your experience beyond the nightlife, explore all our Cusco Tours and plan an unforgettable adventure.
