Entertainment in South America
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A
7 Angelitos
This tiny hillside haunt is the city’s unofficial hipster lounge and late-night backup: when everything else has closed and the sun has come up, knock on the door. Happy hours are 7:30pm to 9:30pm and 11pm to 11:30pm.
reviewed
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B
Fallen Angel
This ultra-funky restaurant and lounge is falling all over itself in the rush to cram in as much kitsch as possible, with glitter balls, fake fur and even bathtub-cum-aquarium tables complete with live goldfish. Deservedly popular for many years, Fallen Angel has now become expensive beyond the means of many travelers, but the decor really is worth seeing and the occasional theme parties held here are legendary. The same folks also own jungle-themed restaurant Macondo ( [tel] 22-9415), at Cuesta San Blas 571.
reviewed
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C
Notorious
This intimate jazz venue attracts all ages – devoted locals and curious travelers alike – with nightly gigs of serious jazz and world music. Book ahead and visit the record shop before settling in for a show.
reviewed
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D
Maracanã Football Stadium
For a quasi-psychedelic experience, go to a futebol match at Maracanã at Brazil’s temple to football (soccer). Matches here rate among the most exciting in the world, particularly during a championship game or when local rivals Flamengo, Vasco da Gama, Fluminense or Botafogo go head-to-head.
reviewed
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E
Café Tortoni
While tourists tend to outnumber locals at this landmark cafe (the oldest in the country), it still has a special place in the hearts of older porteños nostalgic for the good old days. Tango shows are held in a separate salon most nights at 9:30pm and 11pm.
reviewed
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F
Bar 6
A stylish neighborhood classic, Bar 6 is open all day – you can drop by for eggs and coffee in the morning or show up at night to lounge on a red velvet couch with a bellini or a beer. The contemporary design, soaring ceilings and foxy crowd make up for the indifferent service.
reviewed
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G
Teatro Municipal
This exquisite neoclassical building is the most prestigious performing-arts venue in the city. It’s home to the Ballet de Santiago and also hosts world-class opera, tango and classical music performances.
reviewed
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Av Arístides Villanueva
For a great night on the town, walk down Av Arístides Villanueva, where it's bar after bar; in summer, entire blocks fill with tables and people enjoying the night.
reviewed
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Av San Martin
The hippest nightspots are along Av San Martin, between the second and third rings in Barrio Equipetrol, a cheap taxi ride from the center. Hotspots change frequently so it's best to dress to impress and cruise the piranhar (strip, literally 'to go piranha fishing') and see what catches your fancy.
Local kids line up with their cars along the pavements and play unbelievably loud music out of their gigantic car-boot speakers in competition with the music booming from neighboring cars, while drinking beer, dancing and chatting till late. Most places start selling drinks between 18:00 and 21:00 but don't warm up until 23:00, then continue until 03:00 or 04:00.
reviewed
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H
Paseo del Buen Pastor
Paseo del Buen Pastor is a cultural center/performance space, which was built in 1901 as a combined chapel/monastery/women’s prison. In mid-2007 it was re-inaugurated to showcase work by Córdoba’s young and emerging artists. There are a couple of hip cafe-bars in the central patio area where you can kick back with an Appletini or two. The attached chapel (which has been desanctified) hosts regular live-music performances – stop by for a program, or check Thursday’s edition of the local newspaper La Voz del Interior for details.
reviewed
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I
Boca Tango
What makes Boca Tango unique is the preshow theatrics. A minirepresentation of La Boca’s colorful conventillos (old tenements) has been set up outside the main theater, and performers act out the barrio’s history while interacting with guests. Dinner is set up at a nearby casual dining room in antique surroundings, while the main act takes place on an intimate stage. Unlike at some other shows, children are welcome here. Transport is included, which is fortunate since La Boca isn’t the safest neighborhood.
reviewed
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J
Señor Tango
The most outrageous of them all, Señor Tango is the closest you’ll get to a Las Vegas show in Buenos Aires. With dozens of performers, live horses, two tiers of balconies and over 1500 seats, this granddaddy of tango shows is – for good or bad – an unforgettable experience. As long as you take it for what it is (that is, not authentic tango) you’ll be fine, and can join with Sting, Salma Hayek, Ivana Trump and Hillary and Bill Clinton in saying that you’ve spent an evening here.
reviewed
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Puente Pexoa
Corrientes is the heartland of the lively music and dance known as chamamé, and seeing a live performance is memorable. This relaxed restaurant features chamamé dances every weekend and it can be outrageous fun when the dancing starts. Men and women show up in full gaucho regalia, and up to four conjuntos (bands) may play each night, usually starting around 11pm. A taxi costs around AR$25 or grab bus 102.
reviewed
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K
Vines of Mendoza
This friendly, central wine bar (where everybody, down to the security guards, seems to speak English) offers flights (tastings of five selected wines) and top-shelf private tastings. It also offers wine-appreciation classes which give you an idea of how to taste wine – a great idea before hitting the bodegas.
reviewed
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L
Etniko
Etniko is the in place of the moment - and boy, does it know it. It is pretty funky, mind you, with a sleek, low-lit central courtyard, a DJ at the turntables, and the atmosphere abuzz with media gossip and goings-on. Being hip comes at a price, of course, and being seen with the in-crowd ain't cheap.
reviewed
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M
Saloon
This edgy, arty bar has a student vibe. Foreign DJs sometimes spin here, and every other Friday there’s live music. You can get sandwiches and light salads (COP$10,000 to COP$12,000). It also sometimes hosts art installations. It’s on the second floor of a white building in the heart of Granada.
reviewed
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Centro Cultural Gabriel García Márquez
Opened in 2008 and a modern addition to La Candelaria, this expansive new complex pays homage to Colombia’s most famous author in name, but its events span the cultural spectrum way past literature. There’s also a giant bookstore (with a few English titles), a hamburger restaurant and cafe.
reviewed
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N
London City
This swank and classy cafe has been serving java addicts for over 50 years, and claims to have been the spot where Julio Cortázar wrote his first novel. Your hardest work here, however, will most likely be choosing which luscious pastry to consume with your freshly brewed coffee.
reviewed
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O
Tu Candela
The narrow, shotgun-style layout of this bar/club makes liberal use of exposed brick – it feels a bit like partying in a wine cave – and is decorated with tribal masks, old transistor radios and brass instruments. The cover charge is recoupable in drinks.
reviewed
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P
Baronneti
One of Ipanema’s few nightclubs, Baronneti has a sleek and trim interior with two dance floors. Given its prime Zona Sul location, you’ll find a young, well-heeled crowd here. Eclectic DJs and fruity cocktails keep the fans returning.
reviewed
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Q
Britannia Pub
Casually hip with an air-conditioned international ambience and outdoor patio, the 'Brit Pub' is a favorite among foreigners and locals alike.
Note that bars charge a cover price (more for men!) and can be crowded at weekends.
reviewed
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R
Academia da Cachaça
Along with traditional Brazilian cooking, this indoor-outdoor spot serves over 500 varieties of cachaça. For a treat (and/or a bad hangover), try the passion-fruit batida (cachaça and passion-fruit juice).
reviewed
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S
Nikoro
A chic bar that goes through spates of being really popular or really dead. If it’s lively, there’s nowhere better for a beer to watch sunset on the river. Go down the left-hand set of steps from Pevas to get there.
reviewed
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T
El Huevo
Ask any heavily made-up 20-year-old where they’re going on a Saturday night and this behemoth of a building will be their answer. For some, its shaking floors are a meat market; for others, they’re dance heaven.
reviewed
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U
Palácio das Artes
The Palácio das Artes, an arts complex with multiple performance spaces and galleries near the southern end of Parque Municipal, is the hub of Belo’s theater, dance, and music-concert scene.
reviewed
