Quito nightlife is spread across three areas: La Mariscal around Plaza Foch, the city’s main nightlife hub, with bars like Finn McCool’s and salsa at Lavoe and Son Cubano; La Floresta, with Bandidos del Páramo, La Mina and The Groove; and the Old Town, with rooftop bars, Bandido Brewing and La Ronda. Bars fill after 9pm, clubs after 10:30pm, and most close at 2–3am on weekends.
We run a social hostel in Quito’s Old Town and send guests out every night of the week, so this guide is based on the questions we answer at reception: where to go, what it costs, what time things get going and how to get home safely.
Quick answer: Quito nightlife at a glance
- Main hub: La Mariscal and Plaza Foch, for pubs, clubs and salsa bars.
- Best for views: Old Town rooftop bars, including ours, with the Basílica and El Panecillo in sight.
- Timing: bars fill after 21:00, clubs after 22:30, closing around 2–3am on weekends.
- Prices (as of 2026): beer about USD 4–7, cocktails about USD 7–12, club cover about USD 3–10.
- Sundays: only registered tourist restaurants serve alcohol, with food, until 22:00.
- Getting home: Uber, Cabify, InDrive or a registered taxi, not a walk through empty streets.
Where is the best nightlife in Quito?
It depends on the night you want. La Mariscal, around Plaza Foch, is where most bars and clubs are concentrated, and it is the default for a big night out. La Floresta is a separate neighborhood with its own handful of bars. The Old Town is quieter after dark, but it has the best views in the city from its rooftops, a craft brewery and La Ronda, the colonial street built for evening strolls.
Many travelers split the difference: drinks with a view in the Old Town, then a ride north to La Mariscal for dancing. If you are still choosing a base, our guide to staying in the Old Town vs La Mariscal compares both.
Old Town: rooftop bars, craft beer and La Ronda
Our rooftop bar
We are biased, but our rooftop bar and restaurant is an easy first stop. It looks out over the Basílica and El Panecillo, serves dinner from 1pm to 10:30pm Monday to Saturday, and is open to non-guests.
Bandido Brewing
Bandido Brewing is a craft brewery on Calle Olmedo, the same street as our hostel. It is a relaxed place for a pint before heading out, or for a quieter night that stays in the Old Town.
La Ronda
Calle Juan de Dios Morales, better known as La Ronda, is a restored 17th-century street with small bars, live music, canelazo and empanadas de viento. It is busiest after 7pm on Friday and Saturday. Our La Ronda guide covers hours, what to order and safety tips.
Other rooftop bars in Quito’s Old Town
- Vista Hermosa: a classic rooftop with cocktails around USD 7–8 (as of 2026).
- El Santo Que Da Marido: the rooftop bar at Hotel Mama Cuchara, above the historic center.
- Café Mosaico: on the Itchimbía hillside, looking back across the Old Town.
If a rooftop bar in Quito is what you are after, we compared the options in detail in our guide to the best rooftop bars in Quito’s Old Town.
La Mariscal and Plaza Foch: the best bars in Quito for a big night out
La Mariscal is Quito’s nightlife hub, and Plaza Foch is its center. Bars, clubs and restaurants sit within a few blocks of each other, so you can move between venues easily. These four are the names our guests mention most:
- Finn McCool’s: an Irish pub and an easy place for the first drinks of the night.
- Bungalow 6: a dance club for later in the night, once the bars have warmed up.
- Lavoe Salsa Bar: as the name says, a salsa bar. Go after our Wednesday salsa class if you want to practice.
- Son Cubano: another option for Latin music and dancing.
Expect cover charges at clubs on busy nights. Plaza Foch is lively on weekends, but take a ride from door to door rather than walking between neighborhoods late at night.
La Floresta: Bandidos del Páramo, La Mina and The Groove
La Floresta is the third area worth knowing. It has fewer venues than La Mariscal, so it works well when you want a smaller night out or a change from the Plaza Foch scene. The three names to know are Bandidos del Páramo, La Mina and The Groove.
Programming changes week to week, so check each venue’s social media for that night’s lineup before you go, and use an app taxi to get there and back.
How much does a night out in Quito cost?
These are typical prices as of 2026; individual venues vary.
| Item | Typical price (USD, as of 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beer | About 4–7 | Craft beer sits at the higher end |
| Cocktail | About 7–12 | Around 7–8 at Vista Hermosa |
| Club cover | About 3–10 | Higher on weekends and event nights |
| App ride within the city | About 2–5 | Uber, Cabify or InDrive |
| Taxi minimum fare at night | About 1.75 | Daytime minimum about 1.45 |
For more ways to stretch your budget, see our guide to Quito on a budget.
What time do bars and clubs open in Quito?
Quito goes out late. Bars start filling after 21:00, clubs get busy after 22:30, and on weekends most places close around 2–3am. Arriving at a club at 21:00 usually means an empty dance floor, so plan a dinner or a first round somewhere else.
Can you drink on Sundays in Quito?
Sundays are different. Only registered tourist restaurants can serve alcohol, and only with food, until 22:00. Clubs and most bars are not an option, so treat Sunday as a dinner night.
What about election dry laws?
Ecuador applies dry laws (ley seca) around elections, when alcohol sales are restricted. If your trip overlaps with an election, expect bars and clubs to be affected and ask us at reception for the exact dates.
Is Quito nightlife safe? Getting home at night
A night out in Quito is normal and fun, but it pays to be deliberate about transport:
- Use app rides or registered taxis. Uber, Cabify and InDrive all work in Quito and usually cost around USD 2–5 within the city.
- Do not walk between neighborhoods. The Old Town is quiet after dark, and the distance to La Mariscal or La Floresta is a ride, not a walk.
- Keep it simple. Carry small bills and only the cards you need, and watch your drink.
- Go with people. Our Saturday bar crawl exists partly for this: you move as a group, with transport between venues.
- Mind the altitude. At 2,850 meters, drinks hit harder, especially in your first days.
Our full guide on whether Quito is safe covers neighborhoods and common scams in more detail.
Weekly nightlife calendar in Quito
Every night at our hostel has something on, and all of our weekly events are open to everyone, not just guests. Here is how we would plan a week:
| Night | At Community Hostel | Where to go next |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Movie night | Quiet night; a craft beer at Bandido Brewing |
| Tuesday | Language exchange, 8pm | Our rooftop or a nearby Old Town bar |
| Wednesday | Free salsa class, 7:30–8:30pm | Check whether Lavoe or Son Cubano has a night on |
| Thursday | Karaoke, 8–11pm (free shot per singer) | Stay for the whole session |
| Friday | DJ, party or special event | La Ronda after 7pm, or La Mariscal later |
| Saturday | Bar crawl: drinking games 8:30pm, party bus with free shots at 10:30pm, 3 bars and clubs | The crawl is the plan |
| Sunday | Italian night pasta dinner, 7pm | Dinner night; Sunday alcohol rules apply |
We also host a community dinner every night, which is the easiest way to find a group to go out with.
Want a crew for the night? Community Hostel Quito is a social hostel in the Old Town with a rooftop bar, 24-hour reception and events every night, from Wednesday salsa to the Saturday bar crawl. We are rated 9.3 “Superb” on Hostelworld from more than 2,250 reviews.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area for nightlife in Quito?
La Mariscal, around Plaza Foch, is Quito’s main nightlife hub, with the highest concentration of bars, clubs and salsa spots. La Floresta has a smaller selection, while the Old Town is better for rooftop views, craft beer at Bandido Brewing and an evening in La Ronda.
What are the best bars in Quito?
Popular picks include Finn McCool’s, Bungalow 6, Lavoe Salsa Bar and Son Cubano in La Mariscal; Bandidos del Páramo, La Mina and The Groove in La Floresta; and Bandido Brewing plus rooftops like ours and Vista Hermosa in the Old Town. The best one depends on whether you want views, dancing or a pub.
What time do clubs close in Quito?
On weekends most bars and clubs close around 2–3am. Bars start filling after 21:00 and clubs after 22:30, so a typical night out starts with dinner or drinks and moves to a club later. Sundays follow stricter alcohol rules.
Can you buy alcohol on Sunday in Quito?
Only in a limited way. On Sundays, only registered tourist restaurants can serve alcohol, and it must be with food, until 22:00. Most bars and clubs are not an option. Dry laws around elections also restrict alcohol sales, so check dates if your trip overlaps with one.
How much is a beer in Quito?
As of 2026, a beer in a Quito bar costs about USD 4–7, with craft beer at the higher end. Cocktails run about USD 7–12, and club cover charges are around USD 3–10, usually higher on weekends and event nights.