Bar entertainment in Buenos Aires
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A
Van Koning
When the barrio’s generically stylish bars leave you longing for something more, head to this Dutch-style pub. Rustic dark-wood booths, candlelight and frosty pints of Otro Mundo (a local microbrew), draw a lighthearted crowd.
reviewed
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B
Klub Killer
Stray off the beaten tourist-drinking path and land yourself at Klub Killer, a slightly upscale bar located in an old house with antique-looking couches and retro touches. The atmosphere is bathed in sexy red lighting, and good international rock fills the air. It’s a great place to hang and order some reasonably priced cocktails, but you might have trouble finding it; following the recent BA trend of ‘closed-door’ venues, there’s no sign outside. Just ring the bell to be let in.
reviewed
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Cervecería Cossab
Beer-lovers unite, and head down to bohemian Boedo and this dedicated beer bar – unique for BA. Around 100 different suds are represented, including seven house-made options. Brews come from around Argentina and many other countries (including Germany, Mexico, Canada). Plenty of snack foods, from cheese plates to sandwiches, help sop up the alcohol, and on Wednesday there’s all-you-can-eat pizza. Occasionally open Sunday.
reviewed
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D
Kilkenny
Buenos Aires’ most popular Irish bar has become, well, just too damn popular. Weekends are a crush and thumping music makes it hard to chat up your date, but the dark woodsy atmosphere is congenial enough. Come early on weekdays if you want to score one of the cozy deep booths for easy conversation; there’s also a smoking section on the 2nd floor if enough people want to light up. It has a good whiskey and beer selection, too.
reviewed
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E
Unico
If you like your bars loud and crowded, you’ll love this classic corner magnet – still popular after all these years. It’s not overly large, so on weekends people tend to spill out the door and onto the sidewalk tables and even the street. Plenty of tapas, sandwiches and salads, along with the ultra cool music, could make it a long night – which is perfectly acceptable since it’s open till 6am.
reviewed
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Rubia Y Negra
A true rarity in BA, this bar-restaurant also makes its own beer – right on the premises. You can see the shiny metal tanks up above the bar, brewing up eight beers from stout to wheat to barley wine and a cream ale. It’s an upscale lounge sort of place however, so don’t expect a homey publike atmosphere. Come on a Monday, Tuesday or Saturday and see if the all-you-can-eat sushi (AR$55) goes with the suds.
reviewed
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El Hipopótamo
Hanging out by a picture window at this classic old bar, watching San Telmo street life go by against the backdrop of Plaza Lezama – not much could be more indulgent on a lazy afternoon. It’s the atmosphere that makes the difference; wine bottles in glass cabinets and antique wall signs both add to the charm, and while the basic Argentine fare isn’t inspirational the eclectic crowd here is fun to watch.
reviewed
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H
The Library Lounge
The low-lit Library Lounge, all dark wood with plush forest-green armchairs and stuffed moose-heads, feels out of another era. It’s the kind of place where gentlemen once gathered to smoke cigars, play billiards and schmooze. Order a classic martini and let the sultry lounge singer do her thing. Rojo Tango, the sexy cabaret dinner show staged at the adjacent theater, is great, decadent fun – be sure to book ahead.
reviewed
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I
Youkali
This big, bright, white bar at the whimsical Youkali hotel is a wonderful place for a drink any time of day. In the afternoon you can sit in the sunshine by one of the enormous windows or at night prop yourself up at the bar for a fabulous cocktail. Try a pisco-based Peruvian Lips - they're addictive! Every evening there's a happy hour from 18:00-20:30 and the places buzzes Tuesday nights when the DJs spin.
reviewed
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J
Janio
Still one of the trendiest, most popular restaurant-bars in the neighborhood, Janio boasts an excellent corner location on Plaza Palermo Viejo. By day lounge at a sidewalk table watching the crowd, while at night the airy rooftop terrace is an excellent hangout. Nibble from the international menu while sipping a frozen margarita or cool whiskey shot – you’re with the cool crowd now.
reviewed
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K
El Verde
What sets this downtown pub apart is its orientation toward a hip, older scene. You may not find anyone under 50 here, but that doesn’t mean everyone’s sporting a cane. Live music and dancing gets the old blood going, and this place can really rock – it gets as loud and hoppin’ as any of its younger counterparts. Boar heads on the walls add a touch of quirkiness.
reviewed
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Deep Blue
As the name implies, there’s plenty of blue around, including the many pool-table surfaces (though upstairs they’re orange). Corrugated metal ceilings and a rowdy DJ contribute to the feisty atmosphere, where beer taps are built into your table and the neon gives everyone a robotic sheen. For even more blurry vision order a few shots of the hundred-odd whiskies available.
reviewed
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Acabar
This is possibly the quirkiest restaurant-bar in town, at least in terms of design. A maze of more than a half-dozen rooms and spaces are decked out in mismatched chandeliers, funky furniture, clashing pastel colors and frilly wallpaper; it’s a texture and pattern overload. It’s also famous for having whole shelves dedicated to board games. Serves food earlier on.
reviewed
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Sugar
Palermo Soho bar that’s super popular for its happy hour, which runs from 8pm to midnight – pints, glasses of wine or mixed drinks are AR$5 each. Attracts foreign students and expats (it’s partially expat-run); all servers speak some English. Great eclectic mix of music, from James Brown to the Killers. Come early to avoid lines; weekends have a drink minimum.
reviewed
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O
Druid In
Just half a block from the popular Kilkenny and sporting a more intimate and less crowded atmosphere is this modest Irish pub. A wide range of aged whiskeys, imported liquor, blended cocktails and more than 30 beers temper the pizza, sandwiches and British food that are served. There are live Scottish bagpipes and Celtic music on weekends.
reviewed
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La Cigale
La Cigale’s wide, curving bar, covered in twilight-blue tiles and attended by a handful of young cocktail-mixologists, forms the centerpiece of this artistic Frenchstyle bar. A few students and twentysomethings filter in early for happy-hour mojito specials, but you can barely fit in the door later when themed music nights pull a sizeable crowd.
reviewed
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La Coruña
One of several no-nonsense cantinas (traditional bars) on the edge of the Mercado de San Telmo, this one has the most character. While you'll see a few old barflies downing beers here in the morning, late nights see local uni students packing the pavement tables. The classic daily specials on the blackboard are good for soaking up the alcohol.
reviewed
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La Finca
Pull up a chair at a small wooden table at this modest wine bar focusing on hard-to-get Argentine wines from boutique wineries - the focus is very much on the wine, available by glass or bottle, along with samplings of the week's special. They also do delicious picadas (cheese and meat plates) that perfectly match a great Argentine red.
reviewed
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Marriott Plaza Bar
Yeah, yeah – drinks at the Marriott doesn’t sound like a winning cultural experience. But this palatial century-old hotel wasn’t always part of the mainstream chain. Designed by Alfred Zucker, the man responsible for St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, it still boasts a genteel art-deco bar with cordial service and classic cocktails.
reviewed
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Debar
A popular bar in an area not known for its nightlife, Debar has some of BA’s greatest rock and hip-hop beats. Businesspeople come for an after-work trago (drink), while travelers and expats hit it later in the evening. With a happy hour that runs until midnight every night, everyone is happy. Also does lunch on weekdays.
reviewed
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Casa Cruz
This low-lit, drop-dead-gorgeous restaurant is perhaps better known for its happening cocktail bar than for its cuisine (which can be hit-and-miss). Lounge on the lobby’s velvet sofas, mojito in hand, to observe a glamorous parade of actresses, athletes and investment bankers entering Casa Cruz through the massive bronze doorway.
reviewed
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Milión
True to its name, Milión looks like a million dollars – the restored mansion comprises a gorgeous open-air courtyard brightened by twinkle lights and a grand outdoor staircase that leads to the upper-level bar. Pretty young things sprawling on the moonlit steps, sipping frozen mojitos and basil daiquiris, complete the picture.
reviewed
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W
El Alamo
El Alamo draws US students and expats with US football, baseball and basketball on TV (not to mention beer pong games on Tuesday). The music’s rock, there’s pub food for the hungry and they’ve got a great way of attracting women – every day from noon to midnight, the ladies drink beer for free. Happy hour indeed.
reviewed
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Cruzat Beer House
In wine-soaked Buenos Aires, Cruzat is as close as you can get to a German beer garden. Kick back on the shaded terrace and choose from a thick menu of over 150 microbrews – or ask for the beer tasting. A selection of a dozen draught beers, served in miniature glasses, will come right to your table.
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Congo
The highlight at this beautiful and trendy bar is the back patio – the place to be seen on hot summer nights. The music is tops too, with DJs spinning almost every night, and inside are elegant low lounges in creative spaces. Full food menu available, along with some tasty, stiff cocktails.
reviewed