Getting Drunk with Locals: 10 Best Locals Bars in Buenos Aires
Even though Porteños (residents of Buenos Aires) love a good excuse to drink (or need no excuse at all) you’ll rarely find them pissed three sheets to the wind, teetering on their barstools. Most might be too sophisticated and cosmopolitan to get sloppy, but that doesn’t mean Buenos Aires is without a see-and-be-seen-with-a-drink-in-your-hand scene. There are plenty of trendy lounges to mingle with sexy socialites, in addition to some holes in the wall where you can prove to Porteños that Americans can hold their liquor too. Get it done with OTP’s Top 10 Local’s Bars in Buenos Aires.
El Federal
You won’t have to find a designated driver to time travel; El Federal does it for you. Located in the San Telmo barrio, El Federal has been in operation since 1864 and hasn’t been touched by an interior designer since. The décor of this charming watering hole is replete with vintage machinery, antique paintings, crickety furniture and a massive collection of books. Most of its patrons are locals who appreciate cheap drinks and a chill vibe. Grab some vino and antipasto and let the “keep it in the family” wait staff regale you with some classic bar stories.
La Puerta Roja
La Puerta Roja, “The Red Door,” is one of they city’s least pretentious bars. There’s no cover, no line at the door, no VIP guest lists; hell, there isn’t even a sign—just an inconspicuous building with a red door. It’s the no-frills, no bullshit, “I’m here to drink” feel that has made it a local favorite. Quirky bartenders and plush leather sofas remind us we’re not alcoholics, but with ridiculously cheap drinks, it’s easy to forget. For a very happy hour(s) come between 6pm and 10pm and indulge in crazy bargain booze.
Milion
A ritzy Recoleta mansion that feels like a set for posh Euro-porn, Milion takes the prize for sexiest, most glamorous bar in Buenos Aires. Elegant marble staircases, seductive terraces and secluded balconies make this a favorite among Argentine celebrities and socialites. Surprisingly, their prices are still pretty reasonable and to maximize your drink budget, take advantage of 2-for-1 happy hour specials, or go for a high-class hookup in one of its dark corners or fancy unisex bathrooms.
DeBar
At first glance, DeBar looks pretty unassuming and bare, but it keeps drinkers happy with a notoriously long happy hour. For a full 6 hours (from 6pm ‘til midnight) every day, at tables dimly lit with green fluorescent light, DeBar offers up half-priced beers, daiquiris, Pisco Sours and Cuba Libres alongside cheap well drinks. On Mondays and Thursdays, ladies drink beer (in lady-like fashion) for free. Located at the heart of the financial district, it’s a prime after-work spot.
Cerveceria Cossab
In the land of cabernet and merlot, most beer breweries stand little chance. The fact that Cerveceria Cossab does is testament of it’s appeal. This popular bohemian distillery features over 100 beers from Argentina and beyond (seven of which are brewed on-site), and book-toting, paint-splattered locals drink it up. Soak up your share of microbrews with all-you-can-eat pizza—only $19 pesos ($5) on Wednesdays.
Acabar
For a bar with even more character than Harry Potter’s Three Broomsticks, check out Acabar, the queen of quirk in Buenos Aires. Kitschy-homey is the M.O. of this joint, complete with a healthy stock of oversized board games, funky furniture and frilly wallpaper. You can take your pick of seating in one of the six mismatched rooms that make up the Acabar maze and drink cheap wine while showing your drinking buddies who’s boss when it comes to Jenga.
Ocho7Ocho
While drinking is very much legal in Argentina these days, this former speakeasy still operates in secrecy. There’s no sign—just the street number 878 subtly displayed above the front door. People dig discreet and as such Ocho7Ocho is one of the hippest bars you’ll find. It’s the “gentrified warehouse” look, an air of exclusivity, or perhaps its legendary collection of whiskey and cocktails that make Ocho7Ocho a secret worth sharing.
Carnal
For some frisky rooftop flirting, Carnal is the granddaddy of all rooftop bars. Get there early because the trendy and glamorous come out in droves, and you’ll want to snag a sofa. Signal to the lusty locals by patting your hand against the open spot on your couch; you’ll be glad you have a place to entertain.
Congo
In a city chockfull of avant-garde and scenester bars, Congo has managed to stay ahead of the pack. The venue’s biggest draw is its picturesque cobblestone courtyard and outdoor bar. Get there early to sway to the cool sounds of bossa nova playing in the background as you sip caipirinhas as a line starts forming after midnight.
La Cigale
Ironically enough, of all the coolly cosmopolitan and sometimes pretentious bars in Buenos Aires, the French-themed one isn’t among them. La Cigale’s dose of grit keeps it refreshingly down to earth. Black walls and fairy lights strewn throughout the place add an air of intimacy, as do the sexy red leather booths. For a wild night out, come on Tuesday for the infamous French Night or stop by on the weekends when DJs are spinning ass-shaking beats.
Swanky lounges, drink-heavy dives, hippie hideaways, rooftop terraces—Buenos Aires has got a killer bar scene. With the favorable exchange rate and some super-sweet happy hours, even the fanciest bars are accessible to broke-ass travelers. Make sure your liver still has a pulse and get to Buenos Aires for the bar crawl of your life.
A sassy, spunky, and spontaneous globetrottress taking the world, one passport stamp at a time.
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You want a porteno/Star Trek cantina experience. Check totally integrated spacious Buenos Aires Bar Krakow on Venezuela 474 in San Telmo. It’s a Euro-pub/porteno bar/Polish resto with the dirt cheep Happy Hour from 6PM to 10 PM, 11 taps and a totally home made food. Polish cold cuts to die for, Nintendo Wii, comfy sofas and the latest hits make it a must stop when visiting BsAs. The best asset – zero pretense in this pub, period.
I did not know all these bars, because I have only been to BsAs few times to visit my friends, but I have to say that you are absolutely right about La Puerta Roja and Ocho7Ocho, those are one of the finest I’ve ever visited, they do not need no advertisement and that is how I think you recognize a good bar, it sells itself.
Again, I´ll pass this article to my Martha´s Vineyard´s friends DCLA (duke´scountyloveaffair) a dyrty-blues-megaphone band I met on the run in MardelPlata.
We went to El Alamo bar in Uruguay & Santa Fe St., there I saw for the first time the huge 3Lt. beers jars (A$s85)
A small but warm spot for travellers, in fact we talket to British (hot) teachers, some Germans and the classic “flacas argentinas”
The other must-see is A LA BARTOLA BAR in Aguirre 489 (scalabrini ortiz & aguirre) run y the lovely Maru Bartolera. Here you can get 2 drinks of Fernet for A$s25! Also good disco, rock, reggae, ska music, depending on the bartender/DJ mood.
At 5 the doors close but you can stay thil you fall asleep on the old vintage tables…
I’ve been to Milion before. Real fancy and a bit expensive but pretty nice.
great bars!!!