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Quito's nightlife ranges
from serious salsa to raves, from classy English style pubs to horrible
karaoke beer troughs. In general, the bars close at 2 or 3 o'clock.
Discos are another story. There are several discotecas that stay
open until dawn.
Another point to address
up front is the difference between the various entrance fees. Bars
in Quito handle what you and I know as a "cover" in one
of three ways:
1. Cover charge: the one
that we know best. You pay a certain amount to get in the door and
then you buy all your drinks, or none, it doesn't matter;
2. Consumo minimo: there is no cover charge persay, but you have
to spend at least X number of dollars or you pay something when
you leave; and
3. Entrada con derecha a una bebida: by far the most popular in
Quito. You pay X number of dollars and they give you a ticket or
token for a "free" drink.
Some of Quito's better known
watering holes...
- La
Boca del Lobo (José Calama and Reina Victoria)
- the perfect place to start your evening. La Boca del Lobo has
delicious international cuisine and great drinks in a cozy, artistic
environment.
- Varadero (Reina
Victoria 17-51 and La Pinta) - great live music! Varadero is one
of the best musica en vivo venues in Quito. A must for anyone
that likes Cuban music. A place to hit at least twice a month
and definitely the kind of joint where you could stay for a whole
evening. The restaurant next door (same owners) is also great!
Authentic Cuban cuisine. Yum!
- No Bar (José
Calama and Juan León Mera) - gringos unite! The consummate
young Gringo (18 to 25) hangout but also popular with young Ecuadorians,
at least those that like Gringos. If you want to rage it's a good
place to go. By 1:00, the majority of the patrons are thoroughly
sloshed. You either love it or you hate.
- Seseribó (Veintimilla
and 12 de Octubre) - salsa, salsa, salsa! Far and away Quito's
best salsatech. Drinks are slightly expensive and they charge
a cover but if you like salsa there is no better place in Ecuador.
- Ghoz Bar (La Niña
425 and Reina Victoria) - a swiss owned pub on the northern fringe
of La Mariscal. Ghoz is known for its food, beer, and, above all,
its games, which include pinball, darts, pool, and foosball. You
almost never have to wait to play because they have plenty - 8
pool and 5 foosball tables.
- El Pobre Diablo
(Isabel la Católica and Madrid) - a sedate, cultured bar
known for its jazz, finger foods, and atmosphere. The bar moved
recently from its longtime home in La Mariscal to a more upscale
local behind the Swiss Hotel.
- Turtle's Head (La Niña 626 and Amazonas, between Amazonas and Juan León Mera) - a Scottish-owned pub in Quito's Mariscal district and is the only place in Quito where you can get home-brewed beer. At Turtle's Head you can get delicious hamburgers and snacks along with pool, darts, afuse-ball and on occasions live music.
- Kings Cross Bar
(Reina Victoria 1781, between Orellana and La Niña) - after
a few beers you'll forget you're in Ecuador. The Canadian run
Kings Cross could be in any small town north of Mexico. The owner
works the bar every night, serving Labatts Blue, great burgers,
and chicken wings. Both the burgers and wings are arguably Quito's
best.
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