La Taberna
La Taberna sits halfway up the Cerro Santa Ana staircase, roughly 220 steps from the base, in a spot that's earned its reputation as the most authentically local bar on the climb. The space is small, holding maybe 25 people inside and another 10 at tables squeezed onto the staircase landing outside. The interior is decorated with old photographs of Guayaquil, framed newspaper clippings, and memorabilia from the neighborhood's history before the restoration. A single bar counter runs along one wall, staffed by the owner or family members who've been running the place for years. The beer selection is limited to Ecuadorian domestics (Pilsener, Club Premium, Brahma) served straight from the cooler. Cocktails are basic but strong. The music comes from a speaker that plays whatever the person behind the bar feels like hearing, which tends toward salsa, boleros, and vallenato. On weekend nights, every seat fills and the overflow stands on the staircase, creating a block party atmosphere that's unique to this stretch of Las Penas.
Where to stay near La Taberna
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A small, crowded bar that feels like drinking in someone's living room. The owner greets regulars by name. Music plays from a speaker that's seen better days. People lean against the bar, sit on mismatched stools, and spill onto the staircase landing with beers in hand. The atmosphere is warm and loud on weekends, quiet and intimate on weeknights.
Authentic, local, and unpolished. The bar that Las Penas regulars consider their own.
Salsa, boleros, vallenato, and cumbia. Whatever the bartender chooses. Requests are sometimes honored, sometimes not.
No dress code whatsoever. Come as you are.
Budget drinkers, travelers seeking authentic local atmosphere, and anyone who values character over comfort.
Cash only. Small USD bills required. No card terminal, no mobile payment.
Price Range
Beer $1.50-2, basic cocktails $2-4, shots $1.50-2, no cover
All prices in USD (Ecuador uses US dollars)
Hours
Thu-Sun 6 PM to midnight, Fri-Sat until 1 AM
Insider Tip
The cheapest beer on the staircase is here. Arrive before 8:30 PM on Saturday to get one of the few indoor seats. The owner speaks limited English but is friendly and appreciates even basic Spanish. Try the michelada if they're making them. Don't rush; this bar rewards patience and lingering.
Full Review
La Taberna is the bar that the staircase regulars protect. While tourists cluster at the lower-level bars and the view-chasing spots, this place halfway up the climb maintains a clientele that's predominantly local Guayaquileno. They come because the beer is the cheapest on the staircase, the owner knows their names, and the atmosphere hasn't changed despite the neighborhood's ongoing gentrification.
The climb to reach it filters out anyone who isn't committed. By the time you've hauled yourself 220 steps in Guayaquil's humidity, you've earned a cold beer. La Taberna obliges with the lowest prices on the staircase. A Pilsener costs $1.50. A basic cocktail costs $3. These are prices that locals can sustain on a regular basis, and that's exactly the point.
The physical space is unpretentious to the point of austerity. Old photographs line the walls. The bar counter shows decades of use. The stools are mismatched and the lighting is whatever the single overhead fixture provides. Nothing about the design suggests it was planned. It grew into its current form through years of use, and that organic evolution gives it more character than any designed interior could.
The owner is the soul of the place. Whether it's the original founder or a family member, the person behind the bar knows the regulars and treats newcomers with casual friendliness. Communication happens in Spanish, with occasional hand gestures filling the gaps for non-speakers. Ordering is simple: point at what you want, pay in cash, and find a spot.
Weekend nights transform the space. The 25-person interior fills quickly, and the overflow colonizes the staircase landing. People stand with beers, lean against railings, and create an impromptu gathering that blocks the path for climbers. Nobody minds. The staircase bars are part of the traffic, and navigating through a crowd holding drinks is part of the Las Penas experience.
The music shifts with the bartender's mood. Salsa classics give way to vallenato ballads, then back to cumbia. On good nights, someone in the crowd starts singing along and the rest follow. These moments of spontaneous communal music are La Taberna at its best.
The limitations are obvious: no bathroom, basic drinks only, uncomfortable seating, and a 220-step commute. None of that matters to the people who keep coming back.
The Neighborhood
Halfway up the Cerro Santa Ana staircase, roughly 220 steps from the base. Surrounded by other small bars, a few galleries, and residential units in the restored colonial buildings.
Getting There
Uber to the Malecon 2000 northern entrance, walk to Cerro Santa Ana base, and climb approximately 220 steps. The bar is on a landing roughly halfway up the staircase.
Other Venues in Las Penas-Malecon
La Paleta
A popular bar on the Las Penas staircase with open-air seating, cold beer, and views over the river. A natural stop on the Cerro Santa Ana climb.
Arthur's Cafe
Long-standing Las Penas bar at the base of the staircase. Craft cocktails and a bohemian crowd make it a solid starting point for the area.
Diva Nicotina Guayaquil
The Guayaquil branch of this Ecuadorian nightclub chain. Electronic and reggaeton nights draw a young crowd to the Malecon area.
Rayuela Lounge
Cocktail lounge near the Malecon with a more upscale atmosphere. Good drink menu and a calmer alternative to the louder bars along the staircase.