In a corner of Villa Morra known for polished bars and high price tags, Fortín Mariscal quietly flipped the script when it opened in December 2024. It is not just another bar in Asunción’s trendy district. It is a refuge for local workers, and gradually becoming a go-to spot after work. Here, affordability meets genuine friendliness, and everyone is invited to feel at home.
A different kind of exclusivity
Villa Morra has long been synonymous with luxury for locals. Its streets are lined with high-end boutiques, upscale restaurants, and bars that cater to a clientele willing to pay a premium for prestige and exclusivity. But this bar offers a different kind of exclusivity, one rooted in warmth, authenticity, and community.
Gustavo, one of the founding partners, explains the ethos behind the bar. “Our concept is quite simple. We wanted to open a super friendly bar for literally everyone. We want this to be a space where people who are tired and stressed from work can come to relax.” He emphasises that Fortín Mariscal is a place that invites people to come as they are, no strings attached.
A bar by friends, for friends
The people behind the bar are more than staff, they are part of the community, calling themselves companions and friends. That simple philosophy makes Fortín Mariscal stand apart in Villa Morra. Here, the vibe is inclusive and down-to-earth.
“People feel like they are at home because we are a group of friends who opened this bar for other friends. Whoever comes with us stays; they do not leave anymore,” Gustavo adds.
Championing local music
Music is a vital thread in Fortín Mariscal’s fabric. The bar leans heavily on rock and pop, genres with wide appeal, but it is the support for emerging Paraguayan artists that stands out. Local bands and DJs find a stage here without the usual financial barriers.
Fortín Mariscal does not charge artists a fee, allowing them to showcase their talents freely, an uncommon generosity in a competitive entertainment scene. This openness not only enriches the cultural landscape but also nurtures the city’s next generation of musicians.
A menu with personality
The menu reflects the bar’s community-centred approach. One of its signature cocktails, the ‘Mariscal Loco’ meaning ‘Crazy Mariscal’, is a creative concoction of rum, cinnamon, spices, and a mixer choice between tonic water or juice. What is remarkable is that this drink was developed with input from regular customers, highlighting a genuine collaboration between staff and patrons.
From the food menu, Gustavo recommends the ‘Asado Burger’, made with 100% vacío beef, a cut beloved by Paraguayans for its juiciness, which is a rare treat in the area. Customers also describe their empanaditas as “crazy good.”
Heart over hype
Fortín Mariscal is not just a business; it is a community hub where social barriers soften over shared drinks, good food, and music that speaks to the city’s soul. In neighbourhoods undergoing rapid change and gentrification, such spaces help maintain community ties and provide relief from the pressures of daily life. This is a bar where memories are made, where stories are shared, and where the barriers that so often divide people in city life come down.
“It’ i hard to do, with so much competition, but because of the energy we put in, the food, the prices, people leave happy. They do not spend too much, eat well, drink well, and above all, they take great memories with them.”
As the founders put it, Fortín Mariscal is a labour of love. This extends beyond the physical space into the relationships it fosters every night, between staff and customers, between musicians and audiences, and between strangers who feel a little less alone. Fortín Mariscal offers a rare kind of oasis. It is a place that prioritises heart over hype.
VIP Card benefits
As a VIP member of The Asuncion Times, you get a 20% discount at Fortín Mariscal, just by showing your VIP Member card, one of many VIP Member Benefits. The restaurant is located on the corner of Senador Long and Andrade, Villa Morra, Asunción.
Fortin Mariscal opening hours
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday: 18:00 – 00:00
- Friday & Saturday: 18:00 – 02:00
- Tuesday: Closed
For more information check Fortin Mariscal on Instagram.
