9 Best Bars in The Central Coast, Chile

The cheap prices at this trendy, split-level bar belie the top quality of the world-class cocktails whipped up by some of Chile's best bartenders. A few sips and you'll view pisco in an entirely new light. Craft Chilean beer, artisan wine, and delicious bar food make this a crowd-pleasing spot to start or end your Valpo evening.

True to its name, this venue specializes in pisco, the national drink distilled from grapes. There are more than 30 different brands available at this stylish bar, which is attached to Café Vinilo, where bartenders serve up deliciously creative cocktails, such as apiado, which includes a celery-based liquor.

Founded in 1897, this traditional porteño hangout claims to be the oldest bar in the city. It's an iconic spot for folk music and cueca dancing with all the salty sailors, sticky tables, and memorabilia-stuffed walls to prove it!

Fishing nets hanging from the ceiling, brightly polished wood floors, and black-and-white photos on the walls give this bar-restaurant an old-fashioned feel. Patrons come for a bite to eat, from chorrillana (French fries topped with eggs, onions, and beef) to ceviche, and then stay for the beer on tap.

A trendy take on the classic Chilean dive, this bustling backstreet bar boasts a dozen local craft beers on tap and more than 100 pisco labels, which it claims is the largest selection in Chile. Overflowing sandwiches, deep-fried empanadas, and massive chorrillanas (French fries topped with cheese, meat, onions, and fried eggs) help soak up all the alcohol.

On Cerro Concepción, Brighton has live Latin music on Friday and Saturday nights, starting at 11 pm. Its black-and-white tile terrace overlooks the city's glittering lights.

This long-running bar and nightclub may be tucked into a 100-year-old building, but it never seems to go out of fashion. DJs rattle the walls of two dimly lit dance floors each weekend, while emerging rock bands take to the stage at the attached concert hall. During the week, you can expect live-streamed soccer matches, cover bands, stand-up comedy, and an eclectic cast of characters.

This low-lit bar with exposed brick walls under the Ascensor Reina Victoria makes the Central Coast's best craft beers, as well as a killer gin and tonic with its home-distilled Altamira Gin. The music is funky, the service is grand, and the elevated pub grub is delicious. Don't forget to check out the small beer museum in the back.

Get a double shot of porteño (port city) nightlife at this classic restaurant with two rooms that feature two different acts simultaneously. Go ahead and try the traditional Chilean food, but the real reason to come is for the cueca, Chile's national dance. Forget everything you might know about the traditional folklore show. This is the gutsy, gritty, eye-to-eye, forehead-to-forehead cueca chora, which has undergone a revival in the past few decades. If you want a table, you'll need to come early—and plan on staying into the wee hours.