GUATEMALA CITY - Guatemala - page 65

hit with Guatemalan partygoers. DJ Tiësto performed here in November 2004 and again in
February 2007.
Bars
A good mix of bars in the downtown area caters to the city's bohemian population as well
as to international travelers. In Zona 10, the Zona Viva sector centered around 16 Calle is
the place togoifyouwant tohang outwith the city'swealthy elite inthe hippest establish-
ments.Zona4's4GradosNorteisalsoincreasingly lively,withcafés,bars,andrestaurants
along the pedestrian area usually packed on weekends.
Downtown, El Portal (Portal del Comercio, 9a Calle, between 6a and 7a Avenidas, 10
A.M.-10 P.M. Mon.-Sat.) is said to be the old stomping grounds of none other than Che
Guevara, who lived in Guatemala City in the early 1950s. You'll find a long wooden bar
and some wooden tables along with draft beers for about $2. The entrance is at the Portal
del Comercio arcade entrance on the south side of the park along 6a Avenida. Nearby Las
Cien Puertas (9a Calle between 6a and 7a Avenidas, Pasaje Aycinena, Zona 1, noon-2
A.M. Mon.-Sat.) is the city's quintessential bohemian hangout set in a restored colonial ar-
cade. Enjoy tasty quesadillas and tacos when you get the munchies. Europa Bar (11 Calle
5-16,EdificioTesta,Local201,tel.[phone],8A.M.-midnightMon.-Sat.)isarestaurant
doublingasabarthatispopularwiththeexpatcrowd.CNNandsportsareonthecableTV
and the restaurant serves decent food, including the all-American staple breakfast of eggs,
hash browns, bacon, and toast.
Zona Viva's motley assortment of upscale bars is constantly in flux. New places open
and close all the time, and it's hard to keep up with all the changes, even if you live in
Guatemala City. A classic expat hangout, the William Shakespeare Pub (13 Calle and 1a
Avenida, Torre Santa Clara II, Local 5, Zona 10, tel. [phone], 11 A.M.-1 A.M. Mon.-
Sat., 2 P.M.-1 A.M. Sun.) appropriately advertises, “No tragedy, no comedy, just good
times.” Cheers (13 Calle 0-40 Zona 10, tel. [phone], 9 A.M.-1 A.M. Mon.-Sat., 1 P.M.-
midnight Sun.) is the city's best sports bar with scrumptious buffalo wings, frosty beer on
tap,dartboards,pooltables,foosball,big-screenTVs,andclassicrockonthestereo.Anoth-
erexcellentbrewpub, Brass Beer Co. (3aAvenida12-48,Zona10,tel.[phone],noon-1
A.M. daily) offers a large selection of microbrews on tap and is one of the few places in
Guatemala where you can order a ginormous beer. Rattle N Hum (4a Avenida 16-11 Zona
10, noon-1 A.M. daily) is a fun, Australian-owned place often featuring live music.
La Iguana Azul (12 Calle 3-46 Zona 10, tel. [phone], 6 P.M.-3 A.M. Mon.-Sat.) is
a Zona Viva hotspot popular with the younger crowd. The venue is built in contemporary
style with steel and glass. Try the bar's signature drink, the Iguana Azul.
In the 4 Grados Norte part of town, Vino Vino (Vía 5, tel. [phone], 12:30-3 P.M. and
6-11 P.M. Tues.-Thurs., 12:30-3 P.M. and 6-1 A.M. Fri.-Sat.) is an American-owned wine
bar with a pleasant Old World feel to it. Its chef prepares mouthwatering steak and chicken