Going out in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is famous for it’s nightlife; clubbing all night in chic clubs or illegal underground dens.

But what if you just want to go out for a drink with friends?

Here are the best traveller/expat friendly bars in Buenos Aires and in particular the Palermo/Recoleta areas- haven of us foreigners.

Best for drinks with friends:

Bar El Taller: This place is a gem on Plaza Serrano. It is very laid back; the staff have no problem with you sitting with your laptop for an hour or three with the same coffee. The beer is the cheapest you'll find on the plaza.

Da Da Bar: Another bar on Plaza Serrano. It is a bit more hip than El Taller but it’s rooftop terrace can’t be beaten. You can sit there of a weekend night and watch Beunos Aires' nightlife going by- taxi men drinking mate together, party boats and trains and buses and even impromptu dancing in the Plaza.

Cronico: This is a solid favourite (once again on Plaza Serrano) at any time of the day or night. Although the later in the night the less quiet your drink will be. They have a great Happy Hour on certain cocktails until 11pm.

Janio: Moving down to Plaza Palermo/Plaza Armenia there is Janio on the corner of Malabia and Costa Rica. This is more of a restaurant but great for drinks too. It’s very upmarket but their cocktails are amazing and there is plenty of space.

Bar 6(Armenia 1676): This has been featured in many a guidebook so it attracts every kind of person you can imagine. The waiter/esses are friendly and all speak English. The décor is great but it is a little pricy outside the Happy Hour time.



Best for food:

Casa Bar (Rodriguez Pena 1150): This is definitely an expat haunt. If you are craving a bit of flavour in your food then you have to stop in here. The prices went up in recent months so it’s not as great as it used to be but definitely worth a try. The music is also a treat here with everything from the Doors to Hanson.

The Bangalore(Palermo Hollywood Humboldt 1416): This is the sister pub of one of the only British pubs in Buenos Aires, The Gibralter in San Telmo. The food is very expensive and the portions are small but the flavour isn’t seconded anywhere else in Buenos Aires. Make sure to tell them you would like it spicy as they seem to cater to local tastes (the tika masela is spicier than the vindaloo)


Best for football:

Sugar (Costa Rica 4619): Sugar deserves a special mention as the only place in Buenos Aires that you can watch European football with the sound on without fear of them playing some awful music over the top. It is very cave like but it is worth it for the football.


Best avoided:

The Alamo (Uruguay 1175): Avoid this place at all costs. This can be difficult if you are a fan of American sports but see CasaBar above as an alternative. The music is obnoxious and the beer disgusting.

Sullivans: This is in tourist trap heaven on Borges right beside Plaza Serrano. It is overpriced and they will try their best to gouge an unsuspecting tourist at every opportunity. It is one of the many fake Irish bars in Buenos Aires. If pubs in Ireland were like this then I would never go out. (For a half decent Irish place see The Shamrock Rodriguez Pena, Recoleta.)