Five best spots for live music in Cusco
During your time studying Spanish in Cusco, you can visit the amazing cafes and bars of Cusco and listen to great live music! Did you know listening to Spanish music is also one of the best ways to improve your Spanish? Not only will you learn more vocabulary but you will have great fun! Cusco has a great night-life scene and there are different cafes and bars where you can go for live music!
1. KMO
Calle Tandapata 100
KMO Bar is just up the stairs by the plaza fountain in San Blas, it’s got a lively atmosphere within a small but cosy establishment. With tables lit by candlelight and the old stonework this is the perfect spot to unwind. Every night has different live music playing, starting at 8 and 9pm. After the free schools event on Thursday many students head here to listen to music and get to know their fellow students. It does get busy very quickly so once you finish your drink the bar staff and other customers do hoover. If you head upstairs away from the stage you have more space and can still hear the music.
Plus KMO has board games upstairs so is the perfect spot for a games night.
2. The Sacred Valley Brewery
Plaza Regocijo 216
We went on a Thursday and it was an amazing solo act. This is a great spot to hear Spanish and English music fusion (although the setting feels like an American sports bar). The other reason to go here is the selection of Peru made ciders and beers which are produced in the sacred valley. They also serve great bar food.
You can also go on a Friday night; the band is great that plays here. You will find that same bands circulate around Cusco, playing at different independent venues every night. Live music starts at 8:30 and is every day. Plus check out their brewery in Urubamba and across the Sacred Valley.
Tip: I recommend trying the apple and honey cider here and make sure you get there early to grab a spot by the stage.
3. BlackBird
Tecsecocha 429 A Plaza de Armas
BlackBird is a great choice for rock music lovers! It has two locations in Cusco, my favorite one is just beside Chango’s. Down some dark stairs you will find the best rock bands in Cusco. If you come at the right time you also get a free welcome shot. It is a more local spot and a great place to make friends before your night out. As this is a narrow venue sitting you will sit with other groups, which is a great way to meet people. The second location above San Blas has great views and live music, so check out both!
Once you leave you are in the center of the nightlife scene in Cusco, next to Inca team and Changos.
4. Casa Palacio Jazz Club
Calle Palacio 110
Known for its jazz – which can be heard from Plaza De Armas-, this small music hotspot is perfect as it feels like a small speakeasy in New York. They have jazz nights but also local Peruvian musicians play here on Thursday. This is an intimate venue as you are so close to the musicians on the stage who will happily get up and dance with you. They have live bands every day of the week. Plus the food served here is surprisingly good too.
Casa Palacio has a small balcony above the stage area, but get their early to get the best seats which are on the ground floor. Best spot for a classic gin and tonic.
5. Paddy’s Irish Pub
Plaza de Armas 124 Calle Triunfo
The music here, you guessed it. No Latin music is played here just live covers of great English songs from bands such as Oasis, Blur and Coldplay; plus the occasional Irish folk song. But the small dancefloor is always full of tourists having fun. The energy on Paddy’s dance floor is just like the Oasis song- electric. They have a DJ why plays great dance tracks later on in the night.
Paddy’s claims to be the highest-altitude Irish pub in the world. So make sure you end the night with one of their free posters which states this as this is the perfect Cusco souvenir!
We hope you enjoy your time here while learning Spanish in Cusco!