Venezuela - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 870

Moulin Rouge Av Francisco Solano W moulinrouge
.com.ve; map p.869. With a giant, two-dimensional
windmill for a facade, you can't miss this ever-popular
dive bar, where the city's rockers, ravers and gutter-
punks convene for live alternative music. Mon-Thurs
10pm-2am, Fri-Sun until 5am; see the website for
who's performing soon.
Tasca El Encuentro de los Artistas Pasaje la Asunción;
map p.869. This is the best of the bars along a street lined
with many. Take a seat at the long bar and talk politics,
or head upstairs for the DJ sets from 8pm. Many punters
get their drinks to go, preferring the reveller-filled street
without. Ice-cold beers (BsF12) are fished out of the cooler
by staff who are always keen to talk politics. Daily
4pm-1am, until 3am Fri & Sat.

Fuente de Soda el León 2da Transversal de la Castellana
T 0212 263 6014; map p.871. A popular bar (and pizzeria)
where the waiters keep the drinks coming. Grab a seat at
the wide outdoor patio, relax and watch the Venezuelan
motorists crossing the poorly designed roundabout nearby.
Keep note of how many beers you've had, as the waiters
have been known to add a couple to the bill. Daily until 3am.

LAS MERCEDES
RumBar C Nueva York, at C Madrid; map p.871. Sweaty,
crowded and excellent fun; party to salsa, reggaeton and
merengue . An outdoor patio offers a breather from the
constantly rammed dancefloor. It's at its best from Thurs
onwards. Tues-Sat 9pm-late.
Samoa Av Principal de Las Mercedes, at C Mucuchíes
T 0212 261 6949; map p.871. An increasingly popular
chain of bars, Samoa stands out for its bizarre South Pacific
theme, where the locals go crazy for the plastic palm trees,
looped surf videos and swings instead of seats at the bar.
Daily 5pm until late.

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ALTAMIRA/LOS PALOS GRANDES
360° Bar Hotel Altamira Suites, 1ra Av at 1a Transversal;
map p.871. While you don't access this rooftop bar via the
classiest route (you go up in the rickety service elevator),
the under-lit interior lazes to a chilled vibe and there
are fantastic city views. Throw yourself into a hammock,
order a delicious coconut mojito (BsF70) and feel glad
you're not negotiating the Caracas tra c surging below.
Daily 5pm-late.
Centro Commercial San Ignacio Av Blandín W centro
sanignacio.com; map p.871. An upmarket shopping centre
with a wide selection of bars and clubs where wealthy
caraqueños come to show off their latest moves and
fashionable purchases. Try Suka , which has a pan-Asian
design and regular DJs, or neighbouring Pi'Sko which has a
chintzy Inca theme. There are plenty of eating options here
too. Opening hours vary, although generally daily from
7pm until late.

GAY AND LESBIAN
Copa's C Guaicaipuro, close to Chacaíto metro station
T 0212 951 3947; map p.869. Caracas's best (possibly
only) lesbian spot, the overzealous security is worth
putting up with for the friendly crowd, which has become
more mixed in recent years. BsF50 cover charge. Wed-Sat
10.30pm-6.30am.
La Fragata C Villa Flor, Sabana Grande; map p.869. This
popular club brings in a friendly, mostly male clientele,
although the good location and party-hard reputation are
beginning to attract a fun-loving straight crowd as well.
Excuse the cheesy, neon-heavy decor and focus instead on
the cheap drinks and crowded dancefloor. Daily 6pm-3am.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME
It won't take you long to notice Venezuela's baseball obsession, with what seems like every
fifth person sporting club gear. If you're in town during the October to December season,
attending an LVBP (Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional) game in the capital is a good way
to see what all the fuss is about. The two local teams, the Leones and Tiburones (Lions and
Sharks), share the Estadio Universitario in Sabana Grande, and there are games on most days
of the week. The biggest fixture of the year pits the Caracas Leones against their fiercest rivals,
Valencia's Navegantes del Magallanes.
Tickets can be bought in advance at one of the numerous Leones merchandise shops
around town; there's one in the Centro Comercial Sambil in Chacao (see p.875). You can also
buy them online at W leones.com, although you'll need a local friend to reserve them, as the
site doesn't accept international credit cards.
Alternatively, you can buy tickets from the stadium box o ce from 9am on game days. Arrive
early as service at the four ticket windows is slow. Tickets for the tribuna (main stand) start at
BsF50, unreserved-seating tickets for the grada (terrace) around the outfield are cheaper and
you can jump the queue to buy them.
The stadium is a ten-minute walk south of Plaza Venezuela metro station. Walk to Areperia 24
Horas and you'll see the floodlights. Check W lvbp.com for upcoming fixtures.