Move over Miraflores, because Barranco has become the new hottest place in Lima for the young and the restless to have a big night out on the turps. From bohemian beer-cafés to pumping pisco-infused cocktail bars, here are the best spots for an evening tipple in this trendy seaside neighborhood. Salud!
Ayahuasca
Bar, Bistro, Restaurant, Contemporary, Peruvian, $$$
Perhaps the coolest watering hole in Peru, this happening cocktail bar attracts a loyal contingent of the suburb’s most fashionable punters almost every night of the week. Each floor of the beautifully-restored colonial mansion is covered in exuberant Peruvian artwork, creating a vibrant and colorful atmosphere that nicely compliments the DJ’s uptempo beats. Cocktail creations mostly revolve around pisco, of which over 50 varieties are available.
Converted colonial mansions are all the rage in Barranco, and the spectacular setting of Café Victoria is among the best of the lot. Revelers love the outdoor patio area, especially on weekend afternoons when the grassy lawn area packs out to live DJs who spin a selection of cruisy electro tunes.
For a bit of vintage flair in the heart of Barranco, check out Bar Juanito just off the central plaza. As a traditional Peruvian-style watering hole, expect to see old-school décor such as tall wooden shelves stacked with any kind of liquor imaginable, plus a selection of classic posters from your granddad’s era. If you’re lucky, you might even catch an impromptu jam session from some elderly yet energetic musicians.
Located just underneath the famous Bridge of Sighs, this trendy cocktail bar is one of the best places in Barranco to see and be seen. Ample outdoor foot traffic makes people-watching a breeze, while the inside atmosphere is always buzzing on weekends. It’s rather upmarket, so bring some extra cash and be sure to dress to impress.
A great spot to kick things off, this small and cozy offering serves up some tasty snacks and super-strong cocktails. Start off with a drink on the upstairs balcony before stumbling off to one of the many other nearby watering holes.
Got a hankering for craft beer? Then make a beeline for the Barranco Beer Company, a happening micro-brewery known far and wide for their delectable amber nectar. Homemade sandwiches with artisanal bread and tasty wood-fired pizzas compliment these hoppy suds to a tee.
Popular with both Peruvian and international tourists alike, La Candelaria is a great place to go for a traditional folkloric show. Drawing artistic inspiration from coastal, Andean, and Amazonian indigenous groups, these lively performances do an excellent job in encapsulating Peru’s diverse cultural tapestry. Shows only take place on weekends.
Catering largely to the tourist crowd, La Dama Juana is another superb local peña, this time with live shows almost every night of the week. Be sure to get there by 8:30 p.m. for the energetic nightly show, best accompanied with an abundance of pisco and their all-you-can-eat buffet.
La Noche is the place to be for those after some heavier tunes, with a rotating roster of talented young musos rocking it out on stage during weekend nights. Mixed drinks tend to be on the stronger side, so they work out to be pretty good value for money.
Decked out with an impressive array of Peruvian and international antiques, La Posada del Ángel is an excellent place for a casual meetup as it’s quiet enough to have an actual conversation. That said, acoustic guitar bands have been known to belt out all your favorite Latino classics from 10 p.m. till close. With three locales just in Barranco, Ángel is undoubtedly onto a good thing.
