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 ultrafunky lounge redefines kitsch with glitter balls, fake fur and even bathtub-cum-aquarium tables complete with live goldfish. It isn’t cheap, but the decor really is worth seeing and the occasional theme parties held here are legendary.
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
As Rio prepares for the 2014 World Cup, the famed Rio stadium will be closed indefinitely from August 2010 as the stadium undergoes extensive renovations. Once it reopens (probably not until 2012 or 2013), a game at Maracanã is a must-see for visitors. Matches here rate among the most exciting in the world, and the behavior of the fans is no less colorful. The devoted pound huge samba drums, letting out a roar as their team takes the field, and if things are going badly – or very well – fans are sometimes driven to sheer madness. Some detonate smoke bombs in team colors, while others rip out the seats or launch objects into the seats below. (Things have calmed slightly…
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
Muse
Known as a good place to start your night out, this restaurant lounge, a longtime Cuzco hangout, has very cool staff and live music in the evenings. Food includes good vegetarian options.
reviewed
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G
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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H
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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I
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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J
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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K
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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L
La Peña del Colorado
This lively spot – which many porteños swear is the best peña (folk music venue) in the city – puts on live folklórica shows. After the musical set, the performers pass around guitars and country-style instruments so the happy-go-lucky crowd can get in on the singing and strumming action. Diners can order a set menu ($50) or from the a la carte menu.
reviewed
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Finn McCool’s
Proudly flying the green, white and orange, this Irish-owned bar is the current favorite among expats (and a growing number of locals) for its friendly, welcoming vibe, quiz nights (currently Tuesday) and pool, darts and table football. The classic wood-lined bar is also a good place to dig into fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, burgers and other pub grub.
reviewed
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M
Bungalow 6
The favorite Mariscal dance spot among foreigners, Bungalow 6 plays a good mix of beats – salsa, reggae and British and North American hits. The small but lively dance floor, good drink specials and popular events nights (including as Ladies night on Wednesday) always attract a festive crowd. Arrive early to avoid being turned away.
reviewed
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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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O
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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P
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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Q
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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R
Las Lanzas
Neon lighting and no-frills furniture that hasn’t changed much since the ’70s are part of the charm of this Ñuñoa mainstay. Rock-bottom prices mean it’s usually full right up to closing, especially in the summer, when revelers spill out onto the sidewalk terrace.
reviewed
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S
Tu Candela
Wall-to-wall reggaeton, vallenato, merengue and some decent salsa. Tu Candela is cramped – but the atmosphere is cool and the decor, lighting and service are all good. It's rumored that one night, the management turned off the massive plasma screens that have shown bad music videos at all other times in the bar's history. Convert the cover charge to cocktails at the bar.
reviewed
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T
Baronneti
One of Ipanema's few nightclubs, Baronneti has a sleek and trim interior with a choice of 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 again and again.
reviewed