Enjoy a minty mojito (or two!) with new Quiteño amigos

Based in Quito, Ecuador, V!VA staff writers and editors voted on the best local spots to get inebriated at the equator. Here's our favorite ten, in no particular order:

Seseribó—After 30 years, Sese has earned the title as the oldest salsatheque in Quito, and continues to attract the best dancers in town, who come to this underground club to see and be seen. When the dance floor fills with hot Latin bodies shaking their stuff, Seseribó is the perfect spot for stiff-boned foreigners to grab a cocktail and retreat to one of the cozy corner seats to watch the show.

Doce de Octubre and Ventimilla

Plaza Foch—As the central square of the popular Mariscal backpacker neighborhood, the café-lined Plaza Foch has a gringo magnet that draws all non-Spanish speakers within a 5 mile radius who come to meet with friends and catch up over a minty mojito. With a variety of indoor and outdoor bars offering 2-for-1 happy hour drinks in different types of atmospheres, this is the best spot for watching the drunken weekend antics and sipping those bargain bebidas.

Reina Victoria and Foch

Finn McCool's—Perhaps the only authentic Irish pub in Quito, Finn’s is a comfortable spot to play pool over a pitcher of Pilsener, pull up a bar stool (or fall off of one) and watch fútbol with some rowdy new friends.

Joaquin Pinto, between Diego de Almagro and Reina Victoria

Bungalow 6— With reasonably priced drinks, a mix of American pop music, reggaeton, and salsa, this club is always packed full of slick, sweaty foreigners and Ecuadorians on the prowl from Wednesday to Saturday. Ladies—come on Wednesdays, where you can drink as much as you want without charge between 7pm-10pm. Men—line up outside and wait until they open the flood gates to the dancing crowd of gringa ladies who have probably had one too many free drinks.

Diego de Almagro and Jose Calama

Reina Victoria Pub—This is the pub for all homesick British expats who wonder what the hell they’re doing in Quito and just want a piece of home. This traditional English pub pours a good pint and serves up some typical greasy food—perhaps the only spot in Quito for fish ‘n’ chips. Come on Wednesday nights to try your luck in the bi-monthly pub quiz for your chance to show your knowledge of arguably-useless trivia.

Reina Victoria and Roca

Mayo 68—Named after the left-wing student protests and strikes in the Latin Quarter of France in May 1968, this crowded salsa institution has a rebellious feel with graffiti scribbled on the bright walls. Mayo 68 tends to attract a slightly older crowd who like to strut their classic salsa moves, making it a fun spot in the Mariscal to find a new experienced dance partner after downing your free shot of aguardiente at the door.

Lizardo Garcia and Juan Leon Mera

Ananké —With loud music and colorful artwork at both their locations in La Mariscal and Guápulo, Ananké Pizzeria is the best trendy spot for a slice of pizza & beer. In Guápulo, warm up on the outdoor terrace with a hot canelazo, and enjoy the view over the 16th century church at the bottom of the sprawling green valley.

Camino de Orellana (Guápulo), Diego de Almagro and Pinto (Mariscal)

Café Mosáico-- Perched in an old house high above historic Quito beside Parque Itchimbia, Café Mosáico is a sassy spot for dining, drinking and dating. It’s the spot that high-heeled foreigners come to take one last look down their nose at the busy city below before heading back home. But you can’t blame them--the panoramic window and balcony offer one of the best views over the most beautiful part of Quito. The vista is increíble-- spanning from the angelic Panecillo, across Old Town's glowing churches and plazas, and down the narrow stretch of Andean city. Mosáico’s new telescope makes it even easier to admire the view.

Manuel Samaniego and Antepara

Zócalo—Located upstairs on the corner of two main streets, Zocolo is a colorful spot to hear live Latin music in the heart of the Mariscal. With a variety of early musical sets on most weekend nights, grab a date and a caipiriña, and try to find a seat amid the canoodling couples.

Calama and Reina Victoria

La Bunga—Recently renovated and re-opened, La Bunga is currently the place-to-be party spot to see good local and international bands and DJs, and brush shoulders with Quito’s hippest as you battle for a spot at the bar for your free cuba libre.

Francisco de Orellana y Yánez Pinzón

By Karen Nagy

Karen Nagy is a staff editor/writer at V!VA. She studied travel writing and learned the joys of Mediterranean island-hopping in Greece, and went on...

Created: 19 Mar 2009

Updated: 24 Mar 2009