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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.
A florist and wine store combined with a whole lot of bar, this hip basement watering hole is a fixture of the Buenos Aires cocktail scene, and now features regularly on the World's 50 Best Bars list. The cocktail menu draws inspiration from Argentina’s immigrant history (the Italians, Spaniards, English, and French have all played their part). Join the cool crowd and kick back with a Vinedo Italiano Spritz created by bartender and owner Tato Giovannoni.
BA’s original speakeasy has spawned a spate of followers over the past few years, but it remains a classic for cocktail lovers: 878 has an extensive drinks list, many made with its own line of spirits, armchairs to sink into, plus a supercool clientele. Be sure to stick your head around the more private back bar.
Decadence meets southeast Asia at this award-winning cocktail bar helmed by Buenos Aires’ mixology queen Inés de los Santos. Enjoy one of her signature Umami Martinis streetside, in a cozy booth or at the bar itself (made from egg shells). Watching the cool team slinging drinks makes for the best seats in the house. The food menu is equally tempting; try the lacquered pork bao. Still thirsty? Snap up one of Ines' ready-to-drink cocktails from the boutique for the walk home. Book a table at Arriba, the upstairs bar, to try the tasting menu paired with cocktails.
No expense has been spared at the polo-themed Pony Line, a cool watering hole in the Four Seasons hotel. Creative cocktails, its own line of craft beer, luxury bar snacks, and great tunes have made this a go-to spot for sassy ladies, suave gentlemen, and model types.
Themed around Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Verne Club runs a tight ship thanks to it's top-notch mixologists. This old-school cocktail bar serves innovative offerings that are often inspired by the eponymous author’s characters, including a Phileas Fogg Martini.
Cozy and colorful, Dadá has a short but sweet list of classic cocktails and an ideal bar to perch at while sipping. With its owners doubling as bar staff, Dadá sees an eclectic mix of locals and visitors popping in for dinner, a drink, or both. Grab a booth at the back for extra privacy.
With a list of dozens of signature and classic cocktails and a solid food menu to match, this corner bar on the edge of San Telmo is a hidden gem. The fancy glassware and quotations in the menu show that the "double" concept has been thought through down to the finest details.
A classy speakeasy, the Harrison is inspired by the Prohibition-era and the time-warped cocktails have earned a cluster of awards. Dine at the shop-front sushi restaurant, then ask “to see the bodega” to gain access.
Glamour is the name of the game at Isabel, one of Palermo’s posher watering holes. You can feel like a star sipping a cocktail under the twinkling ceiling lights, while actually star spotting if you're up to date with your Argentine models and polo players. Hip DJs spin tunes for a bling-y crowd, so booking is essential—as is a bottomless wallet.
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.
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.
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