Mushroom Bar
Mushroom Bar sits at Portal de Panes 108 on the Plaza de Armas and functions as the lounge-level complement to the livelier clubs nearby. The vibe is consistently described as the best warm-up in Cusco: upbeat music, a funky interior, and an easier atmosphere than the big discos. It draws backpackers and younger travelers who want to start the evening somewhere manageable before moving on. The drinks are affordable and the music pumps without overwhelming conversation.
What to Expect
An accessible, social bar without the intensity of a full nightclub. Good for groups mixing for the first time and solo travelers looking to meet people.
Funky, sociable, and manageable. The kind of bar that improves with the second drink.
Mixed: pop, Latin, and electronic at a danceable but not overwhelming volume
No code
Groups starting the evening, solo travelers, and anyone who wants a lively bar without committing to a nightclub.
Cash (Soles)
Price Range
Cocktails S/15-25, beer S/10-15
≈ €4-7 / $4-7
Hours
Daily from 7 PM until late
Insider Tip
This is the classic Cusco pre-drink spot. Start here at 9 PM, get your bearings, then move on to Mama Africa or Mythology later. The plaza location makes it easy to navigate even after a couple of pisco sours at altitude.
Full Review
Mushroom Bar at Portal de Panes 108 functions as the pre-drink venue for Cusco's nightlife circuit. The space is funky and colorful, with enough character to hold your attention but not so much that it demands it. Music plays at a level that allows conversation, which makes it the ideal first stop for groups still deciding where the night goes. The plaza location keeps it accessible, and the drinks are priced at the friendly end of the Cusco scale.
The crowd is predominantly backpackers and younger travelers getting their bearings. Solo travelers gravitate here because the atmosphere encourages mixing without forcing it. Groups use it as a staging ground before moving to Mama Africa or Mythology. The staff are used to this flow and don't pressure visitors to stay or spend more. It's a transitional venue that excels at the transition.
On the Procuradores circuit, Mushroom Bar holds the warm-up position. It lacks the dance floor ambition of the clubs and the live music of Ukukus, but it provides something they don't: an easy, low-pressure starting point. The plaza location means navigating home afterward is straightforward even after a couple of pisco sours at altitude.
Start here around 9 PM, get oriented, then move on to the clubs after 11 PM. The two-drink-deal pricing makes the first hour affordable. The plaza location keeps navigation simple.
The Neighborhood
At Portal de Panes 108 on Plaza de Armas, Mushroom Bar sits in the natural starting position for Cusco's nightlife strip. The plaza functions as both a gathering point and a navigation anchor for the clubs radiating outward.
Getting There
On Plaza de Armas, walkable from all central Cusco accommodations. No transport needed.
Address
Calle Procuradores
Where to stay in Cusco
Compare hotels near the nightlife districts. Free cancellation on most properties.
Other Venues in Procuradores (Gringo Alley)
Mama Africa
Backpacker club on Procuradores with reggaeton, salsa, and electronic music rotating through the night. Free entry before midnight, cheap drinks.
Mythology
Multi-level club near the Plaza de Armas. EDM and Latin music on separate floors. Popular with both tourists and young locals. Cover 10-20 PEN.
Chango
Live Andean fusion and Latin rock on most nights. Smaller venue with a dance floor. Cover usually includes one drink. 15-25 PEN.
Ukukus Bar
Long-running Cusco bar with live folk music early in the evening transitioning to a DJ and dance floor after midnight. Strong pisco sours.