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We've compiled the best of the best in Lima - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
This handsomely wood-paneled hotel bar is where the pisco sour took on its definitive form. The man responsible, Don Eloy Cuadros, has learned his trade well: after 60 years on the job, he still whips up refreshing cocktails that are a perfect break from sightseeing in El Centro.
This popular bar just to the right of the Hotel Bolívar's entrance overlooks the Plaza San Martín and makes a wicked pisco sour. Or step inside to the hotel's main bar and restaurant, which offer tables on an elevated terrace and a more subdued setting.
Facing Barranco's main square is one of the neighborhood's most venerable establishments, albeit one whose premises definitely veer toward the bare-bones and bohemian. Built by Italian immigrants in 1905, this former pharmacy is packed nightly with limeños drawn by the cheap drinks, historic setting, and ham sandwiches.
Artisanal cocktails, first-rate food, and a relaxed, conversational ambience make this gastro-bar a hit with Lima's over-30 crowd. The outdoor terrace is an added plus in the summer.
One of a dozen bars on Calle Manuel Bonilla, La Cuina is known for its ample selection of tapas—from mushrooms sautéed with garlic to tortilla española (Spanish omelet)—and good lineup of microbrewery beers. The tables out front are a nice spot for a drink.
Artisanal cocktails are what's on tap at this atmospheric saloon patterned after an Ica bodega (winery). The classic pisco sours are formidable, but even better are the ginger-ale-based chilcanos and the citrus-and-berry-laced frutales. The expert mixologists are happy to make recommendations.
Frequent drag shows and a come-as-you-are vibe make this bar a haven for Lima's LGBTQ community, but the super-cool waitstaff, colorful decor, and excellent drinks make it a great pit stop for partyers of any persuasion. The warmth and inclusivity here are palpable.
This lovely little bar in an adobe building one block south of Barranco's main square dates from 1915 and is a memorable spot for a drink. The decor is that of a traditional bodega, with lofty, beamed ceilings and glass cabinets filled with liquor bottles. Weekend nights draw a substantial crowd.
