Bars and clubs in Fernando de la Mora: how to choose where to go out

To choose among the bars in Fernando de la Mora, decide on the plan first: a quiet beer with friends, a bar-restaurant for dinner, or a club to dance until late. Then pick the area based on where you are coming from and how you will get home, and message ahead to confirm opening hours, whether there is a cover charge and whether you need to book a table.

What kind of night are you after?

Each plan calls for a different place, and deciding up front keeps you from ending up somewhere that does not suit the group:

• A bar to talk: look for low music, outdoor tables and a good drinks list. Works well on weeknights and early.
• Bar-restaurant: if you are eating too, ask until what time the kitchen serves. Many keep pouring drinks after the kitchen closes.
• Club or DJ bar: things get going late, especially Friday and Saturday. Ask whether there is a cover, from what time, and whether there is a dress code.
• Games or themed bar: the city has bars with bowling, retro décor or a Cuban theme (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). They suit big groups or birthdays where not everyone wants the same thing.

Which part of Fernando de la Mora should you look in?

Avenida Mariscal Estigarribia, the main road in from Asunción, splits the city into a north and a south zone. Fernando de la Mora borders Asunción directly and sits about 6 km from the capital's center via Avenida Eusebio Ayala, so many people combine a night out here with heading back to Asunción, San Lorenzo or Luque.

A few pointers:

• The main avenues have more venues close together, so if the first is full, another is nearby.
• De La Mora Food Park, near La Escondida, is an open-air space with several restaurants and bars in one place. It is handy for groups where everyone wants something different.
• If you want something weatherproof, malls such as Paseo 1811 are an indoor alternative.
• Fernando de la Mora is largely a commuter town: many residential blocks are quiet at night, and the loud venues tend to be on the avenues.

How will you get there and back?

Plan the ride home before you go out. If you drive, agree on who stays sober and drives that night. Otherwise use a ride-hailing app or a taxi, and share your location with someone you trust.

Ask about parking too: on the busiest avenues, finding a spot on a Saturday night can take a while, and not every venue has its own lot. If you take the bus, many lines pass through the city to and from Asunción, but service thins out in the small hours, so do not count on it to get home late.

What should you ask before going?

A WhatsApp or social media message covers almost everything:

• Whether they are open that day and until what time.
• Whether you need to book for your group, especially for more than six people or a birthday.
• Whether there is a cover charge, minimum spend or surcharge for a show or DJ.
• Whether they check ID at the door: bring your cédula or passport even if you are obviously of age.
• Whether there is outdoor seating or an air-conditioned room, which changes the night a lot in summer.

How do you pay and avoid surprises on the bill?

Restaurants are among the sectors where QR payment is most common in Paraguay (Prensa Mercosur⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠), so at most bars you can pay by phone or card. Still, carry some cash in case the connection fails or a small venue only takes cash.

Check the menu prices before ordering. SEDECO, the consumer protection office, notes that prices must be in guaraníes, every purchase comes with an invoice, and if exact change is not available the amount must be rounded in the customer's favor (ABC Color⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). If you are in a group, tell the server from the start if you will pay separately: it is easier than splitting the bill at the end.