Must-see nightlife in South America

  • Azahar Café

    Bogotá

    Possibly the finest shrine to coffee in Colombia, the recently amplified Azahar exudes taste, expertise and an undying passion for the country’s second…

  • Los Galgos

    Buenos Aires

    A gem in the neighborhood, this lovely bar notable (historic bar) has been immaculately restored and transformed into a sophisticated bar and restaurant…

  • Montañita Brewing Company

    Montañita

    At the northern end of the beach, overlooking the sand, the only microbrewery on Ecuador's coast serves up Amazonian IPA, chocolate stout, blackberry,…

  • Zaperoco

    Cali

    If you only visit one salsa bar in Cali, make sure it's Zaperoco. Here the veteran DJ spins salsa con golpe (salsa with punch) from old vinyl while…

  • Green Valley

    Santa Catarina

    One of the two world-renowned mega dance clubs in Balneário Camboriú, whose name is often tossed about in the 'World's Best Club' conversations among…

  • Hb Bronze Coffeebar

    La Paz

    Sleek, earthy and architecturally inspiring – coffee shops don't get much cooler than Hb Bronze! This sorely needed addition to the Casco Viejo…

  • Bocanáriz

    Santiago

    You won't find a better wine list anywhere in Chile than this homey restobar with servers who are trained sommeliers. Try creative wine flights (themed by…

  • D-Edge

    São Paulo

    With one of the city’s most remarkable sound systems and a roster of world-famous DJs, this mixed gay-straight club is a well-established venue for the…

  • El Mono Bandido

    Bogotá

    Having commandeered a Quinta Camacho mansion and flipped it into one of Bogotá's most cinematic pubs, El Mono Bandido has atmosphere in spades. Enjoy…

  • Cervecería Artesanal Armin Schmid

    The Lakes District

    If you're within 100km of Osorno and a beer lover, you'll want to readjust your itinerary to visit this improvised temple of suds, the south's most…

  • Chester Beer Brewing Company

    Puerto Varas

    American nanobrewer 'Chester' (real name Derek Way) has been at it since 2006, long before 'craft' was a thing in Chile. His rustic but epic countryside…

  • Macondo de Pizza Pazza Bar

    Tarija

    For a Bolivia highlight, head here on Friday 'bohemian nights' (B$40; free for hotel guests), an intoxicating scene with live folkloric music, dancing and…

  • Museo del Pisco

    Cuzco

    When you've had your fill of colonial religious art, investigate this pisco museum, where the wonders of the national drink are extolled, exalted and – of…

  • Veloso

    São Paulo

    Arrive early to this outstanding boteco, a quick walk from Vila Mariana's metro station, where crowds fight over tables for some of the city's best…

  • Canastra

    Ipanema & Leblon

    Run by a trio of Frenchmen, Canastra has become one of the top nightlife destinations in Ipanema. Most nights, the crowd spills out onto the streets, and…

  • Cervecería Gigante

    Bogotá

    American nanobrewer Will Catlett has created what feels like an underground brewer's lair at Bogotá's top craft-beer destination, a simple, unsigned place…

  • Cine Tonalá

    Bogotá

    Bogotá's only independent cinema champions Latin and Colombian films and international cult classics, but this Mexico City import refuses to be…

  • Cervejaria Dogma

    São Paulo

    Dogma routinely dominates the top 10 ranked beers in Brazil on Untappd, and this no-frills taproom near Santa Cecília metro station is Sampa's best…

  • Ambar

    São Paulo

    Cozy and convivial, Ambar's long, welcoming bar is probably the single best spot in town to sip on juicy IPAs or a humidity-retreating pilsner or weiss…

  • Cerveza Artesanal Archipiélago

    Middle Chile

    Perched in the hills above San Juan Bautista, with sweeping ocean views, is the island's most surprising attraction: an award-winning microbrewery…

  • Lagerhaus

    Sur Chico

    Temuco's top spot for locally crafted cerveza artesanal is this 15-tap hops hideaway tucked into the corner of the Paseo Los Suizos strip mall. Inside, it…

  • La Alternativa

    Tarapoto

    Like drinking in a medieval pharmacy or maybe a Tarantino film, a night out here hearkens back to a time when alcohol was literally medicine (like, for…

  • Uptown

    Palermo

    Descend the graffiti-strewn stairwell and step aboard the carriage of an actual New York subway train to reach this cavernous underground space with DJs…

  • Alquímico

    Cartagena

    Anyone remotely hip ultimately gravitates to this Old Town bar with a pharmaceutical theme. Occupying a gorgeous colonial building, the bar is spread over…

  • Los 13 Buhos

    Huaraz

    Halfway up some monstrous Andean pass with a 15kg pack on your back, it's not uncommon to start dreaming of 13 Buhos with its Luchos craft beer, pool…

  • Florería Atlántico

    Buenos Aires

    This basement speakeasy is located beneath a flower shop: needless to say, the entryway is beautiful (and fragrant). Hipsters, artists, chefs and…

  • Salon Malaga

    Medellín

    A Medellín institution, Salon Malaga is more than just a bar, it's a cultural experience. With walls decked out in black-and-white images of long-dead…

  • Chato’s Wine Bar

    Cafayate

    Run by a cordial English-speaker, the only proper wine bar in Cafayate serves a long list of dry whites, rosés and bold reds by the glass and bottle. Grab…

  • Museo del Pisco

    Lima

    The 'educational' aspect of this wonderful bar might get you in the door, but it's the congenial atmosphere and outstanding original cocktails that will…

  • Bar do Luiz Fernandes

    São Paulo

    Friendly, supremely local and quintessentially São Paulo, it's worth traipsing into the North Zone for this authentic boteco to chase Doña Idalina's house…

  • Bodega de Véio

    Pernambuco

    Also a small and very eclectic general store, this wonderful little bar serves ice-cold bottled beer, shots of cachaça (potent sugarcane liquor) and great…

  • Café com Letras

    Belo Horizonte

    With live jazz on Sundays, DJs Thursday through Saturday, and a bohemian buzz between sets, this bookstore-cafe is a fun place to kick back over light…

  • Dada

    Lima

    This chic mansion with themed rooms and a gorgeous patio is Barranco's newest hot spot. You know those locales that are described not as a place but a…

  • Guilhotina

    São Paulo

    Pages of in-house-created cocktails are the calling at this hip den of mixology. At the helm, Veja magazine's 2017 bartender of the year, Márcio Silva, a…

  • Muela del Diablo

    Cochabamba

    The central patio of this exceptionally charming place, wonderfully lit up at night by candles and glowing heat lamps, is surrounded by archways and…

  • LAB

    Palermo

    They take coffee seriously at this industrial chic cafe and barista training center. Choose between Chemex, AeroPress, V60, Kalita, syphon or Clever…

  • Café del Tiempo

    Salta

    Decked out to resemble a Buenos Aires cafe, this place has prices to match and offers a stylish terrace in the heart of the Balcarce zone; it's a top spot…

  • Polynesian Coffee & Tea

    Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

    Detox juices, fruit smoothies, infusion teas and hot (or iced) coffees make this beachy Hawaiian-themed cafe on the main drag a highly recommended morning…

  • Restobar KY

    Santiago

    Taking inspiration from the Barrio Recoleta's Southeast Asian flavor is this stunning cocktail bar. The photographer owner has done wonders with a…

  • Palaphita Kitch

    Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa

    A great spot for a sundowner, Palaphita Kitch is an open-air, thatched-roof wonderland with rustic bamboo furniture, flickering tiki torches and a…

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