The Muse
The Muse holds a location at Tandapata 917 in San Blas and operates as a laid-back live music bar with something for different tastes across the week. Thursday through Saturday from 10:30 PM the stage hosts some of the best live music in Cusco, ranging from rock and blues to acoustic sets and Latin rhythms. San Blas's artisan and creative energy suits the venue well, and the crowd here tends to differ from the Plaza de Armas disco circuit.
What to Expect
A bar with genuine musical programming rather than a club format. The live music is the draw. Come for a specific band night rather than randomly.
Relaxed and creative. The San Blas setting gives it a neighborhood-bar feeling that the larger clubs can't replicate.
Live rock, blues, acoustic, and Latin music on Thu-Sat nights
No code
Live music fans who want something more intimate than the plaza clubs, and travelers staying in or near San Blas.
Cash (Soles)
Price Range
Drinks S/15-30, no consistent cover charge
≈ €4-8 / $4-8
Hours
Live music Thu-Sat from 10:30 PM; bar open from early evening daily
Insider Tip
San Blas is a maze of steep streets at night; know the address before you head out. Thursday and Friday nights have a more local crowd than Saturday. The setting in the San Blas neighborhood makes getting here feel like an adventure.
Full Review
The Muse at Tandapata 917 operates as San Blas's live music anchor, programming rock, blues, acoustic, and Latin sets Thursday through Saturday from 10:30 PM. The venue draws from the neighborhood's creative energy, attracting a crowd that's more artistically inclined than the Procuradores disco circuit. The space is intimate, the stage is close, and the sound carries well through the room without overwhelming it.
Thursday and Friday nights bring a more local crowd; Saturday skews tourist. The music quality varies by act, but the programming approach prioritizes genuinely interesting performers over generic cover bands. The San Blas neighborhood at night is a maze of steep, narrow streets, which gives the journey to the venue an adventurous quality. Once inside, the atmosphere is warm and conversational between sets.
Compared to the plaza clubs, The Muse offers intimacy over scale. Ukukus has the cultural music angle; Mama Africa has the dance floor energy. The Muse provides a bar with live music programming serious enough to build an evening around. For travelers staying in or near San Blas, it's the local option that makes the neighborhood feel complete.
Know the address before heading out; San Blas is a maze at night. Thursday and Friday have more local flavor than Saturday. Come for a specific band night rather than randomly. The setting in San Blas makes getting here part of the evening.
The Neighborhood
San Blas is Cusco's artisan and bohemian quarter, filled with small workshops, galleries, and cafes. The Muse channels this creative identity into a live music bar that feels native to the neighborhood rather than transplanted from the tourist center.
Getting There
At Tandapata 917 in San Blas, a 10-15 minute walk uphill from Plaza de Armas. Taxis from the plaza take five minutes but navigate narrow streets. Walking is part of the experience.
Where to stay in Cusco
Compare hotels near the nightlife districts. Free cancellation on most properties.
Other Venues in San Blas
Limbus Restobar
Rooftop bar in San Blas with panoramic views over Cusco's red tile roofs. Cocktails and Peruvian tapas. Best visited at sunset before the night picks up.
Fallen Angel
Eccentric upscale restaurant and bar near the San Blas plaza. Glass-topped bathtub tables, strong cocktails, and unusual decor. Pricier than most San Blas spots.
Republica del Pisco
Pisco-focused bar with over 40 varieties and well-made pisco sours. Small space that fills quickly. Good live music some evenings.