Experience the wide-ranging and energetic nightlife of Quito amid the bright lights of the vivacious Plaza Foch (Foch Square). Once a rundown intersection in the Mariscal district, today this entertainment square is the beating heart of Quito’s nightlife scene. It’s where locals and tourists alike come to eat, drink, dance and mingle in the bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Plaza Foch is also the setting for live music events and a weekly artisan market.
The square is at its liveliest at night, when hordes of revellers flock to the superb selection of upscale bars and international restaurants. Find traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, pizzerias, tapas bars and international restaurants. Enjoy open-air dining at one of the restaurant terraces, many of which have heater lamps to keep you warm on a typically cool Quito evening. Listen as music pumps out of the bars and fills the square with excitement.
By day, the square adopts a more relaxed ambiance. Sit at a café or coffee shop and enjoy excellent people-watching opportunities. Watch as groups of friends meet to hang out by the square’s fountain and backpackers sit studying maps and guidebooks. Come to the square on Saturday when it hosts the Asara Fair. Here, local artisans showcase their art, handicrafts, glass objects, leather goods and artisanal food.
Plaza Foch also hosts regular free live music and cultural events such as rock concerts, dance performances and jazz groups. It’s a main location for August’s Quito Blues Festival.
Situated in the vibrant Mariscal district, Plaza Foch is about a 10-minute drive from Quito’s Centro Histórico (Historic Centre). Public buses provide easy access between the square and most areas of the city centre. Plaza Foch is a great base for exploring Mariscal. Walk one block in any direction from the square to discover Irish-themed pubs, sports bars, karaoke bars and bohemian cafés.
Plaza Foch is one of the more expensive places to eat and drink in Quito. The square is safe to visit but pickpockets are common at night so be careful with your possessions.
