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Preparing for a night out in Buenos Aires has an element of marathon training to it. Rest up with a siesta, fortify yourself with some protein, and drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after. That’s right, the key to porteño nightlife is longevity—after all, an early night means hailing a cab at 6 am.
The scene here rivals that of any capital city, so you’ll find something to suit every taste. Trendy cocktail bars, secret speakeasies, classic tango haunts, artsy watering holes, and packed dance floors await. To make the most of them, try following the locals’ lead.
Painting Buenos Aires red means looking sharp, going with the flow as you bar-hop, and not challenging your new B.A. buddies to raucous drinking games. Porteños adore going out with their friends, but it’s not uncommon to see a large group sharing a liter bottle of beer and swigging from the same glass. Latino lightweights? Not at all. This is just how Argentines roll—and once a night gets really rocking, they'll move onto their favorite tipple, Fernet y Cola.
Hours are relaxed, but there are general guidelines. The smartest bars kick off an evening with happy hours that begin around 8 pm and often stretch way beyond 60 minutes; downtown drinking establishments start even earlier to lure workers to part with hard-earned pesos, spawning the "after-office" across the city, which is now a nightlife fixture almost any day of the week. Theater performances begin around 9 pm and the last movie begins after midnight. By that point, lines to get into popular bars have started forming, but clubs aren’t buzzing until 4 am. If in doubt, turn up later than you consider reasonable when you’re meeting a local (30 minutes after the appointed time is the norm). The subte (subway) closes between 10 and 11 pm, depending on the line and day. Monday through Saturday it reopens at 5 am; on Sunday, however, trains don’t start running again until 8 am. So taking a cab to and from home is a good idea—it’s also quicker than waiting for a colectivo bus very late at night.
Get down with the hipsters who spill out onto the San Telmo sidewalk rain or shine when Las del BarCo gets too full. Pull up a love seat and grab a pint, or check out the ever-changing art exhibitions. Fun and frivolous, this hot spot has already attracted a dedicated following—and not just for its extended happy hour.
Attracting electronic music lovers keen on catching big names from out of town, Liv has slowly captured the market that the larger Crobar can’t muster. A more relaxed club than some of its Palermo counterparts, Liv also caters to those who want the full VIP booth-and-Champagne treatment.
Porteños love sports—and sports, for them, means fútbol (soccer). Although Argentine teams also excel at basketball, rugby, and especially polo, it's fútbol that evokes the most passion, with fans attending even the smallest scrimmages; most games play on wall-mounted TVs in regular cafés and restaurants. But perhaps it's the ubiquity of soccer that means there aren't the really atmospheric screenings in bars that many visitors hope to find: to get the real buzz, you have to go to the stadium. Your second-best option is definitely Locos x El Futbol. Just try to count the number of TVs here, and you'll realize the extent of the locals' love for the beautiful game—the x stands for por, which makes this place "crazy for soccer." Key games require a reservation, but otherwise just turn up for big screens and bigger servings of pizza, fries, and beer.
Named after the tall cactus plants that typify northwest Argentina, Los Cardones is the place to go for a beer around a big table with strangers you'll get to know by the end of the night. Spontaneous dancing at this peña folklorica isn't unheard of; to prepare, ask ahead about their folk-dancing classes.
This indoor stadium at the very top of Corrientes Avenue has been hosting boxing events, ice-skating spectaculars, political rallies, plus rock and pop concerts for more than 80 years. Local acts dominate, but international ones—like Simply Red and Lily Allen—also play here. Tickets normally need to be bought well in advance from the box office or from Ticketportal (wwww.ticketportal.com.ar).
You'll recognize M by its one-letter name writ large in ivy near the entrance. Once inside, pull up a red velvet stool at the ground floor bar for an impeccable cocktail, or reserve your place at the cava downstairs for a wine-tasting session. Don't forget to peek at the tunnel which former president Juan Perón used to escape from Government House. M also houses Samsung Studio, San Telmo's latest tiny yet trendy live music venue, round the back.
Local businesspeople looking to impress international clients invariably choose this showy concept restaurant. A night here may break the bank, but you get varied, highly professional performances sometimes starring Argentine celebrities. Prices vary depending on how close you are to the stage.
The cool expat kids have taken Magdalena's Party under their wing and rightly so, given that it has all the bases covered: decent cocktail list, weekend brunch offerings, mood lighting... Join the movers and shakers who start their nights here by pulling up a bar stool or a comfy armchair, or follow the party out onto the street.
A buzzing space that takes music seriously, Makena focuses on funk, soul, and R&B; it also hosts live jams several nights per week. Check out the Afromama night, guaranteed to get you moving then grooving.
The unashamedly theatrical show at this tango-concept hotel dances you through the history of tango. It's a fascinating look at how the dance evolved, and the hotel's art nouveau architecture is pretty fantastic, too.
This small and understated boteco (Brazilian-style pub) on busy Plaza Armenia is a good place to stop in for an after-dinner caipirinha; it stays open until around 3 am. The music is always upbeat and irresistible, and the atmosphere friendly and welcoming; if you have a weakness for things Brazilian, you'll be happy here.
One of the city's most stunning bars is spread across three floors of a perfectly restored French-style mansion. A cool vibe and cooler drinks keep this place packed on weekends. When the back garden fills on balmy summer nights, squeeze onto the marble steps with the beautiful people.
This spacious theater and cultural space mainly showcases midlevel local bands, showmen, and comedians, with a few big Argentine names thrown in for good measure. Get tickets at the box office (open Monday–Saturday, from noon to 8) or through Ticketek ( www.ticketek.com.ar).
One of the city's best venues for two decades features everything from demure indie rock to the flamboyant and legendary Club 69 on Saturday. Check out live bands and dancing on the A Side, while something contrasting and chill simultaneously takes place in the back B Side room.
A barely marked door and a narrow passageway open into a world far removed from the flashy bars and restaurants surrounding this music venue. The eclectic programming includes a wide range of folk, tango, jazz, classical, and improvised music as well as some politically charged theatrical performances. Grab the sofa if you can, for maximum comfort.
A private members' club and bolt hole unexpectedly located in the middle of Palermo Soho, the lush Oasis Clubhouse now opens its doors to non-members (subject to guest list approval). Relax around the outdoor swimming pool with a well-prepared cocktail, or lounge in the living space–you'll feel like a VIP regardless.
Clocking up plenty of years on the electro scene, this multilevel, riverside behemoth pulls in big names and bigger crowds. Total sensory overload is the name of the game. In summer, watch the sun ease its way up over the river from one of the best vantage points in the city.
At the aptly named Pain et Vin, a husband-and-wife team bake the bread daily while expertly advising on fermented grape choices. Sip a glass, join a group tasting, or buy a bottle from the boutique winery to take home.
Located slap bang in the middle of Palermo Soho, this place promises a good mix of locals and students. The dark ground-floor bar plays rock and serves stiff drinks (happy hour runs from 9 pm to 1 am). Upstairs in the disco, dance-friendly music is pumped into the psychedelic setting: wear white to be especially eye-catching under the neon lights.
Located in a centenary mansion, this glamorous bar, which has ranked in the World's 50 Best Bars list, is led by bartender Seba García who creates classic and signature cocktails. The main bar can get a bit hectic with people dancing so if you're after a quiet evening, book a table in the biblioteca, hidden away at the back.
One block from Chinatown, this speakeasy with an Asian touch personifies modern glamour. Grab a spot at the bar for a piece of the main action or detour to the back-room dance floor, where some of the best DJs in town will get you moving.
One of the very few cigar bars in Buenos Aires, Puro Bistró also has a killer cocktail list. Relax in a comfy armchair and enjoy the relative peace and quiet while gazing out onto the busy street beyond. It's a haven for drinkers and smokers in the heart of Palermo.
Part Moroccan boudoir with an impressive brass instrument collection, part cutesy patio with white wrought-iron garden furniture, the kitschy Rey de Copas is an interesting addition to Palermo's drinking scene. Some concoctions come served in metal yerba maté gourds.
Its impossibly cool atmosphere makes Río Café an obvious favorite with hipsters. Pick a front table to watch the world bustle through to the back patio, or simply pitch up outside. Wednesdays are rocking thanks to great cocktails and DJs whipping up ’80s mash-ups for a crowd that’s ready to party.
Five-star food, musicians, choreography, and glamour: you wouldn't expect anything less from the Faena Hotel brand. Crimson velvet and gold trim line everything from the walls to the menu at El Cabaret, and tables often hold celebs both local and global. The implausibly good-looking troupe puts on a tango-through-the-ages show, which includes jazz-tango, semi-naked numbers, and even the tango version of Roxanne from Moulin Rouge. It's worth the splurge.
A cluster of milongas call this dance hall home, and the venue underwent a refurb in 2024 but lost a little of its historical tango sparkle. Regardless you can come for early evening classes at Milonga Sans Souci and A Puro Tango on weekends. The dance floor is usually packed by midnight, so get here early.
It doesn't get much glitzier—or much tackier. Performed daily, the unashamedly tourist-oriented shows are so eager to cash in on stereotypes that they even include a number from Evita (shock, horror). Still, you can't fault the fishnetted dancers on their footwork. Rather less glam is its location south of San Telmo, in the Barracas neighborhood, which can be sketchy: take a taxi here and back.
From the folks who brought Gibraltar and Bangalore to B.A. comes this hatrick establishment. Less dark and woody and certainly more spacious than its traditional siblings, the Dragon has the air of a modern London pub and serves up draft beer as well as a tasty Chinese menu.
From the outside, the signs asking patrons–a mix of expats and fun-loving porteños–to leave quietly are the only hint that this isn't the demure bar it appears to be. The generous drinks promotions (ladies drink free until midnight on Friday) add substantial rowdiness, and it turns into a raucous party zone on weekends. A sports bar at heart, El Alamo also hosts bikini competitions—just so you know.
The best porteño jazz bands (and occasional foreign imports) play at this upscale spot. Arrive early for a good seat, as it's a long, narrow bar and not all tables have good views; on weekends there are usually two shows per night.
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