Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE LUCKY TOAD
Ever wondered what
cuzqueños
do to relax instead of whiling away the hours over a game of darts or pool in the
local bar? Well, next time you're in a
picantería
(local restaurant) or
quinta
(house serving typical Andean food),
look out for a strange metal
sapo
(frog or toad) mounted on a large box and surrounded by various holes and slots.
Men will often spend the whole afternoon drinking
chicha
(fermented corn beer) and beer while competing at this
old test of skill in which players toss metal disks as close to the toad as possible. Top points are scored for landing
one smack in the mouth. Legend has it that the game originated with Inca royals, who used to toss gold coins into
Lake Titicaca in the hopes of attracting a
sapo,
believed to possess magical healing powers and to have the ability
to grant wishes.
Drinking
The European pubs are good places to track down those all-important soccer matches,
with satellite TVs more or less permanently tuned in to sports.
BAR
7 Angelitos
( Siete Angelitos 638; 6pm-late Mon-Sat)
This tiny hillside haunt is the city's unoffi-
cial hipster lounge and late-night backup: when everything else has closed and the sun has
come up, knock on the door. Happy hours are 7:30pm to 9:30pm and 11pm to 11:30pm.
Fallen Angel
( 25-8184; Plazoleta Nazarenas 221; 6pm-late)
This ultrafunky lounge redefines
kitsch with glitter balls, fake fur and even bathtub-cum-aquarium tables complete with
live goldfish. It isn't cheap, but the decor really is worth seeing and the occasional theme
parties held here are legendary.
COCKTAIL BAR
PUB
Norton Rats
( cnr Santa Catalina Angosta & Plaza de Armas, 2nd fl; 7am-late)
Run by a motor-
cycle enthusiast, this unassuming expat-style bar overlooks the Plaza de Armas. It's a
boon for people watching, if you can get a balcony seat. Though known for delicious 200g
