Lima Nightlife

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.