The Best Places to Drink in Cusco

There is no shortage of Cusco bars and clubs with nice ambiance, strong drinks and funky style. Given that tourism is the major industry in the city and the thirsty crowds come and go often, the bars are almost ubiquitous. You will also be glad to know that the best bars in Cusco are all within a stone’s throw from one another. Cusco bars have various personalities and styles ranging from the Irish pub, Cusco traditional, hipster, fancy, etc. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best bars in Cusco where you can indulge your senses with your favorite drink in a lively atmosphere!

JOIN THE PARTY

Wild Rover

Wild Rover is, by far, the best place to drink in Cusco. With a lively atmosphere, great specials and strong enough drinks to make any Irishman proud, this is the place to go for a drink. Their bar, which is the best bar in Cusco, boasts a massive balcony where you can enjoy incredible panoramic views of the city while enjoying a cocktail or two.

Offering cheap drinks and free entry to the bar even for non-guests, Wild Rover is the only bar in Cusco guaranteed to have people even on quiet midweek nights. And with hearty meals which would make any homesick traveller feel at home, Wild Rover also has an impressive food menu to order from. Combine this with the amazing drinks choice available and the nightly themed parties, frequent live music acts, special guest DJs, and the best bar staff in town, you are ensured to have a “wild” time in this magical city.

Cuesta de Santa Ana 782, Cusco 08000
Open daily from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Happy hour: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Food specials before 9 p.m.
+51 84 227 546
wildroverhostels.com/cusco

Paddy’s

Paddy Flaherty’s is an Irish owned bar on Calle Triunfo, 124. This little gem over looks Plaza de Armas and claims to be the highest Irish owned pub in world, you can even have a free poster to prove you were in one of the highest places to drink in Cusco. If you’re in search of a Guinness, it’ll have to be from a can as it’s not offered on tap anymore. There is an extensive bar with offerings of cider, local brew and some fancy on tap ales. Happy hour falls from 7-8pm and 9.30-10.30pm.  A tasty food menu, with some hearty Irish meals, such as the favourite Shepherd’s Pie, is served until 11pm.  You’ll be distracted by the model train that continuously circles the bar and by the many random pictures and posters that clad the walls.

Calle Truinfo, 124.
Open 11am to late
www.paddysirishbarcusco.com 

Paddy Flaherty’s Irish Pub

Norton Rat’s Tavern

Norton’s is another popular expat influenced pub overlooking the plaza. The small balcony that wraps its self around the pub is always full with tourists enjoying a beer and the warm sun. There are a number of beers on tap including three varieties of Lima Ale. If you get bored over your drink why not challenge your friends to a game of darts or pool. Or entertain yourself by trying to name as many of the country flags as you can that cover the ceiling.  There are a number of TVs also that show different sporting events. Norton’s has a fun menu to boot with tasty snacks and juicy burgers.

Santa Catalina, 116.
Open 7am to late
+51 246204

Norton Rat’s Tavern, overlooking the plaza

KM0

This little bar can be found up the left hand side of Plaza San Blas.  There’s live music on every weekend and nearly every other night of the week. Arrive early to make sure you can squeeze in, as it usually rammed full.  You’ll rub shoulders with musical performers from all over the world here.  When it’s not wedged full of drinkers and revelers it is worth popping in to sample the menu, especially one of the Thai curries….mmmmm!!

Tandapata, 100, San Blas.
Open Tue-Sat 11am till late, Mon & Sun 5pm till late
+51 236009

KM0, just off the main square in San Blas

The Muse

This popular bar, café by day,  sits on the second floor overlooking Calle Triunfo and is one of the trendiest places to drink in Cusco. The Muse is a vibrant and energetic bar with a stage for live music performances in the evenings.  Some of the best music in Cusco is held here on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10.30pm onwards. If you’re feeling pekish there’s an all-day breakfast, full meals and some delicious treats to fill up on.  The more laid back sister café, Muse, Too, can be found on Calle Tandapata in San Blas.

Calle Triunfo, 338
Open 8am to 3 or 4am
+51 242030

Indigo

Indigo is a fashionable late bar at the top of Gringo Alley just off the main square.  You can eat tasty meals, drink fancy cocktails, play board games, or even read a book. You might just feel like you are in some hipster hangout in London or New York! It’s a great spot during the chilly winter evenings in Cusco, you can cozy up and relax by the fire. It cold rightly be one of the warmest places to drink in Cusco.

Tecsecocha, 2.
Open daily 4pm to late
+51 260271

El Jardin Secreto

This funky little bar is only 5 minutes walk from Plaza de Armas, on Calle Plateros. You’ll find a mix of locals and gringos dancing and drinking away to live music on Saturday nights. It has an interesting outside inside feel, but you might have to leave your jacket on in the winter months!

Calle Plateros, 380
Open Sun-Thurs 8am to 11pm, Fri & Sat 8am to midnight

Mushrooms

Chill out by day party by night! This large bar sits on the 2^rd floor overlooking Plaza de Armas, you can’t miss the sign! You can find yourself a seat by the window and wind the afternoon down people watching and enjoying a cocktail. Of all the places to drink in Cusco, Mushrooms has the best views of the busy square. There is a happy hour from 6-8pm with two for one specials on most cocktails. Music is lively and varied. There is no cover charge up until 11pm, when the bar becomes a nightclub till the wee hours.

Portal Harinas 109, 2^rd Floor, Plaza de Armas
Open daily 6pm to 3am

Mushrooms Bar overlooking Plaza de Armas, Cusco

7 Angelitos

This small bar is hidden in the San Blas Barrio of Cusco.  7 Angelitos is a cool place to hang out and listen to music. There’s a good mix of locals and tourists frequenting this watering hole.  Angelitos is one of the more local and homegrown places to drink in Cusco.

7 Angelitos, 638, San Blas

Los Perros

Don’t be fooled by the name. This bar is far from “the dogs”. This café bar is a trendy and fun place to hang out all week. Chill out over a coffee and a board game during the week and then groove to some live music at the weekends. There is a book exchange and a library for you to peruse. Los Perros offers a tasty fusion menu and one of the biggest burgers you´ll ever try to wrap your lips around. Try it!!

Tecsecocha, 436
Open daily 11am to midnight
+51 241447

Los Perros Bar, on Calle Tecsecocha, Cusco

Fallen Angel

Fallen Angel is worth a visit just to check out the wacky décor. Board games sit on stools suspended from the ceiling, cupids and cherubs hang and dangle around the place and there is an abundance of leopard skin to be seen.  This gay friendly restaurant and bar has some seriously delicious dishes to taste and even more so loads of delectable cocktails to try. There’s a garden area with some unusual and funky art to peruse too making Fallen Angel a must go for places to drink in Cusco.  Lively and fun filled evenings will be had here!  It can get busy so if you plan on eating do book ahead.

Plazoleta Nazarenas, 221
Open daily 7pm to midnight.
+51 258184

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