Okay, so Quito. Landed there after a long bus ride, feeling pretty wiped but also kinda restless. You know how it is in a new city. Decided I needed to see what happens after dark. Everyone kept mentioning La Mariscal, Plaza Foch specifically. Sounded like the place to go.
So I headed over there one evening. Wasn’t hard to find. You just follow the noise, basically. It’s this concentrated block of bars, clubs, restaurants, all blaring music, neon signs everywhere. Felt a bit like sensory overload walking into it. People spilling onto the streets, mostly tourists, backpacker types, a few locals mixed in. They call it ‘Gringolandia’ for a reason, I guess.
Trying Out Plaza Foch
I ducked into a place that looked busy. Got myself a beer, stood around watching people. The music was loud, that reggaeton beat you hear everywhere down there. It was lively, yeah, but also felt kinda… forced? Like everyone was trying really hard to have THE BEST NIGHT EVER. Maybe it’s just me. I was travelling solo at the time, feeling a bit disconnected anyway after leaving my last gig pretty abruptly. Wasn’t really in the mood for forced fun, you know?
Walked around the square after finishing my drink. Every place seemed pretty similar. Same music, same kind of crowd. Lots of hawkers on the street too, selling trinkets or offering… other things. You gotta be aware, definitely. Keep your phone tucked away, wallet in the front pocket. Standard stuff, but the vibe felt a bit edgy once you stepped away from the main lights.
Thinking About It Now…
Looking back, it reminds me of why I left that last job. All surface-level excitement, but underneath it felt kinda hollow. Like those team-building exercises that are supposed to be fun but just feel awkward. La Mariscal nightlife felt like that. It ticked the box for ‘going out in Quito’, but did I really connect with anything? Nah. Just noise and people trying to sell me stuff.
- Lively: Sure, if you like crowds and loud music.
- Variety: Lots of bars, but felt kinda same-y.
- Vibe: Tourist-heavy, a bit edgy on the fringes. Needs caution.
Heard later that areas like La Floresta or Guapulo are more chill, more local. Probably should have done my homework better, or just asked someone who actually lived there instead of following the tourist herd. It’s like choosing a tech stack just because everyone else is using it, even if it doesn’t really fit your project, you know? Sometimes the popular choice isn’t the right one. Learned that the hard way, both in work and, apparently, in finding a decent bar in Quito. Next time, definitely trying somewhere else.
