Cusco is a lively city where numerous bars, clubs and other venues compete aggressively for business, with touts swarming around the Plaza de Armas, San Blas or Plaza Regocijo handing out flyers and offering free drinks as incentive to visit.

Bars: Bars include long-standing favourite The Cross Keys at Portal Confiturías 233, on the Plaza de Armas, which has the feel of a London pub, plays good music and serves decent food. Los Perros at Tecsecocha 436 is a stylish hangout that serves delicious wantons to laidback crowds. Norton Rats Tavern at Calle Loreto 115 has a balcony enjoying great views over the Plaza de Armas and a spacious bar that plays rock and blues music. Fallen Angel at Plazoleta Nazarenas 221 is a funky, outlandish cocktail bar that doubles as a great restaurant.

Clubs: Lively clubs include Mama Africa on the second floor of Portal Harinas 191, which plays hip hop, dance and reggae to a crowd of largely young locals and tourists, and Extreme at Portal de Carnes 298 which plays up-to-date trance, techno and hip hop as well as more mainstream music.

Live Music: For live music try Ukuku's Pub at Plateros 316, which hosts local bands every night before turning into the city's most perennially popular nightspot. Kamikase at Plaza Regocijo 274 is an older establishment that puts on live rock and Andean folk music every evening.