3 reviewed party hostels · from €5.86/night · Hostelworld rated
La Serena’s nightlife kicks off on Eduardo de la Barra, a street lined with bars where backpackers gather after dark. By 11 PM, the pavement outside places like La Rocca is packed with groups spilling out for cheap beer and pisco sours. The hostel scene here is small but social: most places sit within walking distance of the main square, so you can roll out of bed and into a pub crawl without hassle. Aji Verde Hostel, for example, is five minutes from the Old Town and organises its own bar-hopping nights, which often end at nearby clubs like Divino or La Sirena. Expect to pay around 3,000 CLP for a cocktail and 1,500 CLP for a beer, though happy hours can drop those prices by half.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
This is the right place if you're looking to disconnect from the daily routine, in Hostel Cosmo Elqui Valley you can be inside the incredible landscape and special energy of the Elqui Valley.
Book on HostelworldThe most colourful and relaxing Hostel in La Serena! With service-oriented as their main mission, everyone who visits the Hostal El Punto will feel more than welcome, enjoy as well the cozy and sunny areas from this amazing place.
Fun social hostel with friendly and helpful staff. Free healthy breakfast served every morning. Spacious common room with a huge social table is a perfect spot for meeting new people. There is also a beautiful garden, fireplace and an amazing terrace where you can hang out and chill with other guests.
How La Serena's nightlife zones break down
The heart of La Serena, where the Plaza de Armas and most hostels are located. Eduardo de la Barra is the main nightlife street, packed with bars and restaurants. During the day, the area is quiet, but by 9 PM, the pavements are crowded with groups heading to pub crawls.
A coastal strip lined with seafood restaurants and beachfront bars. It’s a 20-minute walk from the city centre or a 10-minute bus ride. The bars here are more relaxed, with ocean views and live music on weekends. Less backpacker-focused, but a good spot for a chilled evening.
A residential area 15 minutes south of the centre, known for its local bars and cheaper prices. The crowd is mostly Chilean, and the music leans toward cumbia and reggaeton. It’s a good place to experience nightlife without the tourist markup.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
A no-frills bar on Eduardo de la Barra where backpackers start the night with 1,500 CLP beers. The tables spill onto the pavement, and by 9 PM, it’s standing room only. They don’t serve food, but the empanada stall next door does brisk business. Expect rock and reggaeton on the speakers.
La Serena’s biggest club, open Thursday to Saturday. Entry is 5,000 CLP and includes one drink. The main room plays reggaeton and Latin pop, while the back room has a mix of electronic and throwback hits. Crowds are mostly locals and backpackers, and it gets packed after midnight.
A smaller club with a focus on live music: bands play cumbia, rock, and Chilean folk most weekends. Entry is 3,000 CLP, and drinks cost 2,500 CLP. The crowd is a mix of students and travellers, and the dance floor fills up by 11 PM. It’s a five-minute walk from Aji Verde Hostel.
An Irish-style pub with pool tables and a happy hour from 6 PM to 8 PM. Pints cost 2,500 CLP, and the kitchen serves burgers and nachos until midnight. It’s a good spot for a quieter night or a pre-club drink. The crowd is mostly expats and backpackers.
A bar-restaurant hybrid with a rooftop terrace and 2,000 CLP pisco sours during happy hour. The menu includes Chilean classics like pastel de choclo for 4,500 CLP. It’s popular with backpackers and locals alike, and the terrace fills up by 8 PM.
A dive bar with a jukebox and 1,000 CLP beers. It’s tiny: only six tables: but the crowd is friendly, and the owner, René, often buys rounds for regulars. Open until 4 AM on weekends. A 10-minute walk from the Plaza de Armas.
A themed bar with pirate decor and 3,000 CLP cocktails. The crowd is mostly tourists, and the music leans toward pop and rock. It’s a good spot for groups, with long tables and a lively atmosphere. Open from 7 PM until 3 AM.
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