Buenos Aires was made for hedonists. This city knows how to enjoy itself at all hours, and there’s something for everyone—particularly night owls. If you’re merrymaking with porteños (Buenos Aires locals), there’s a very good chance the earliest rays of sun will beat you home. Boliches (nightclubs) don’t sizzle until 2AM and there are watering holes on every corner, luring in passersby for Malbec and/or madness. Whatever you’re in the mood for, there’s a spot for you. Here’s a guide to 23 of the best bars in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Best Wine Bars in Buenos Aires
UCO
UCO sits within the Fierro Boutique Hotel in Palermo Hollywood and the 300-strong wine list was curated by the head of the Argentinian Sommeliers Association. All food is prepared in-house; they even cure their own bacon and smoke Patagonian trout right on the premises. There’s indoor and outdoor seating in their garden, but spaces are limited so reservations are advised.
Vico Wine Bar
Arguably the most unique of all the wine bars in Buenos Aires, VICO is an unusual, DIY experience that you’ll certainly be telling your friends about. VICO was the first wine bar in Argentina to introduce wine dispensing machines. All budgets and tastes are catered to and everyone gets their own pass where their selections are recorded.
Aldos Restaurante
Aldo Graziani wrote the book on Argentinian wine, literally. Visit either of this master sommelier’s charming winery restaurants in San Telmo or Palermo.
El Querandí
Pair your wine with a tango show that covers the history of the dance. At El Querandí in San Telmo, the wine list is extensive and the historic building it’s set in makes the evening that much more magical. Reservations are highly encouraged.
Tegui
Stylish, coveted, and owned by Germán Mariátegui, one of Argentina’s most famous TV chefs, Tegui has a wine selection to impress even the staunchest oenophile. Beware, the tasting menu costs a pretty penny.
Pain et Vin
Wine bar meets bakery at Pain et Vin. It’s the collaborative effort of an Argentine Sommelier and Israeli chef couple duo. Sample their cured meats, wines by the glass, or a wine flight with three different tasting glasses.
La Malbequería
Stepping into La Malbequería feels like an occasion in itself with a leafy canopy over a long table that’s ready to seat you and the company you keep for the dinner of your life. But, it gets even better if you make it to the garden tucked away further back. A day spent sipping Malbec in an enchanting garden wine bar in Argentina is a day well spent.
Best Cocktail Bars in Buenos Aires
Verne Club
You’ll be thoroughly impressed by Verne Cocktail Club, one of the classiest cocktail bars in Buenos Aires. It also draws its inspiration from Jules Verne and all his wacky adventures. The ‘Around the World in 80 Cocktails’ menu is delightful, as is the outdoor back garden and 1920s jazz club vibe. The owner, Fede, is a self-styled cocktail historian who also gives classes for curious, thirsty punters.
Floreria Atlántico
You’ll want to try everything at Florería Atlántico, a speakeasy in Retiro. After being funnelled through a flower shop and a refrigerator door, you’ll be rewarded with a collection of creative cocktails categorised by geographic provenance: Polish vodka, English gin, and sherry drinks from Spain. There are photogenic tapas bites to nibble on too.
Milion
Rumour has it that this Recoleta cocktail bar is haunted. However, that shouldn’t keep you from enjoying the spoils of this elegant, multi-level Belle Epoque mansion with fabulous gardens.
Bar 878
A few years back, 878 in Villa Crespo was crowned the best bar in all of Argentina. It is atmospheric with moody lighting, exposed brick walls, and high ceilings. Happy hour drinks are served between 7 and 9PM. As the city’s first speakeasy, you’ll need to get your Sherlock Holmes on to find it.
Best Breweries and Taprooms in Buenos Aires
Valk Taproom
Argentina’s industrial brews leave a lot to be desired. Luckily for hopheads, a craft beer explosion means artisan beer haunts can now be found on most throbbing streets. For a taste of lively Plaza Serrano, visit Valk Taproom for your beer fix. ¡Salud!
Temple Craft
Temple invites you to ‘join the craft revolution.’ As such, they’ve taken over Buenos Aires with multiple branches, over multiple floors, with multiple delicious brews. You’ll recognize their snazzy murals and overflowing barflies.
Bierlife
Beer is a way of life at BierLife. That’s why they put it in all their food too. This old San Telmo house has a patio and countless breakaway areas to enjoy their broad brew collection. For something different, try a pumpkin pinta on for size.
La Birrería
La Birrería will cater to all your beer needs six days a week at any of their rocking brewpubs. You’ll find them in Palermo (Hollywood and Viejo), Puerto Madero, Las Cañitas, Barrio Chino, San Telmo, and a stone’s throw from the Obelisk on Avenida Corrientes.
On Tap
Get up to 20 different beers on tap from various Argentinian microbreweries at this popular hipster haunt with branches in Palermo and Colegiales. Three words: spoilt for choice.
Antares
You’ll find Antares dotted all over Buenos Aires, far from its humble beginnings in a garage back in the 90s. Their motto is ‘con cerveza no hay tristeza‘ (with beer there is no sadness). Go on and get hoppy with it.
Cervecería Chapultepec
Cervecería Chapultepec’s concept is that everything is the same rock bottom price: be it a burger, cocktail, burrito, taco or michelada. The Mexican chain has two branches in Palermo with string lights, funky décor, bottled beers, and fantastic nibbles.
Strange Brewing
If you find yourself in Colegiales on a Friday night, absolutely swing by Strange Brewing. Trendy locals meet and mingle at this brewpub with a rocking DJ on weekends.
Best Rooftop Bars and Restaurants in Buenos Aires
Trade Sky Bar
Touch the sky at Trade Sky Bar where you can enjoy Gatsby-esque decor and 360 views of Puerto Madero, the Obelisk, and downtown Buenos Aires. It’s set over two floors in the Comega building in Microcentro and it’s very sleek indeed.
Sky Bar
Sip in style to a slick live music backdrop at Sky Bar on the 13th floor of Hotel Pulitzer. The rooftop is only open in the summer months and it’s mighty popular with the after-work crowd and discerning porteños. Expect anything from smooth house music to ukulele sets. This is hands down one of the most memorable rooftop bars in Buenos Aires.
Dome Roof Top Bar
Why not pair your sightseeing around Congreso Nacional and Avenida de Mayo with a visit to Dome Rooftop Bar on the sixth floor of the Tango de Mayo boutique hotel?
Salón 1923
If it’s views you’re after, Salón 1923 is one of the best bars in Buenos Aires. One of the most outstanding buildings in Buenos Aires, and perhaps all of Latin America, Palacio Barolo was designed by Mario Palanti who crammed it with overt references to Dante Alighieri’s poem, The Divine Comedy. Salón 1923 is the rooftop lounge on the 16th floor of Palacio Barolo. There’s an indoor and outdoor area, but naturally the latter takes the cake. It’s without question one of the most spectacular rooftops in BA, if only for the Old World feeling alone. There’s a minimum consumption fee, payable in the lobby downstairs before your heavenly ascension.