NIGHTLIFE
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NIGHTLIFE
Buenos Aires’ nightlife is legendary all around the world. What else could you expect from a country where dinner usually starts at 10pm? Clubbers especially will be in heaven here, as BA has spectacular nightclubs that often showcase top-drawer international DJs. And the live music scene is no slouch, with plenty of rock, blues, jazz and even folk music venues spread throughout the city.
To help you get started, most newspapers have entertainment supplements published on Friday; the Buenos Aires Herald’s ‘Get Out’ is in English and particularly handy. The internet holds countless websites that detail BA’s current activities; check www.whatsupbuenosaires.com for information in English. If you know Spanish, sort through www.adondevamos.com and www.buenosaliens.com.
Massively popular annual event-parties include October’s South American Music Conference and November’s Creamfields. For information on Latin and electronica music in BA, Click here.
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CLUBBING
If there’s anything that represents the epitome of BA’s world-famous nightlife, it’s the boliches (nightclubs). Every weekend – and even on a few weeknights – the city’s clubs come alive with beautiful crowds lining up to enter into dancing wonderlands. Spaces range from small plain venues to grandiose buildings with colorful lights and fancy bars. All have bouncers at the door keeping the masses in order and the riffraff out. If you have trouble getting in, politely play up your foreign accent – porteños love the exotic (though foreigners are getting pretty common in BA these days).
Clubs are spread out over the city, with main clusters in the center and on the Costanera Norte. Very few clubs open before midnight, and the cool crowd generally doesn’t show up before 2am. The best nightclubs keep going until the sun comes up, so act like a porteño and take a nap after dinner. And remember to dress as stylishly as you can, as people will be checking you out as much as you’ll be checking them out.
Women usually pay less than men, and sometimes get in free. The price of admission sometimes includes a drink, and can skyrocket if a famous international DJ is spinning. Some clubs offer dinners and shows before the dancing starts. Bring cash, as credit cards aren’t often accepted.
Porteños are fickle and lean toward the newer and better, so clubs often remake themselves and take on a new name; at least most remain at the same address. Ask around for the current hot spots during your tenure in town.
ALSINA
4331-3231; www.alsinabuenosaires.com; Adolfo Alsina 940; 
Fri & Sat
Second only to Amerika as the capital’s biggest gay magnet, Alsina’s popular queer nights are Friday and Sunday (when a tea dance starts at 11pm to end the weekend). DJs crank up the house with dance, hip-hop and techno riffs, but on Saturday night – known as the ‘Big One’ – electronica entertains the mostly straight crowd. All nights are blessed with three floors of open balconies, chandeliers and thick drapes – along with plenty of pretty people.
AMERIKA
4865-4416; www.ameri-k.com.ar; Gascón 1040; Thu-Sun
BA’s largest and feistiest gay nightclub, Amerika attracts all kinds of folks – but Fridays are especially popular with gays (check out the wild dark room). Saturdays have a good mixed crowd and tend to be packed. The music is techno, dance, ’90s and Latin, and despite the canilla libre (all-you-can-drink; except on Sunday), it’s not completely insane – although the floors do get sticky. Three dance floors, large video screens and stripper shows keep things interesting.
ASIA DE CUBA
4894-1328; Dealessi 750, Puerto Madero Este; nightly
An overpriced Puerto Madero restaurant by day, this beautiful spot turns into a flashy and snobby nightclub after midnight. The originally mixed and delightfully eclectic music ranges from old hits to disco to Latin house; it’s a big draw for the dressy crowd, which is an even mix of tourists and Argentines. Breezy outside lounges offer romantic views of the dikes, helping to make this one of BA’s best clubs. Avoid the cover charge by grabbing dinner there beforehand.
GAY & LESBIAN BUENOS AIRES
One traditional cruising area is at the intersection of Avs Santa Fe and Pueyrredón, where after midnight discount admission coupons get handed out on street corners (or check venues’ websites). If you need to load yourself up on caffeine for the night to come, settle in at El Olmo (Map; 4821-5828), right at the intersection; it’s a spot traditionally patronized by older gays, but everyone is welcome. To find out about the most current gay cruising spots or parties, ask the staff at any gay venue listed below.
For gay classes and milongas, visit La Marshall, Tango Queer (www.tangoqueer.com; San Telmo Map; Perú 571; Villa Crespo Map; Luis Maria Drago 236) and Lugar Gay, which is a B&B but also acts as a gay information center, organizing activities for guests and nonguests alike. Other resources include Grupo Nexo ( 4374-4484; www.nexo.org) and Comunidad Homosexual Argentina (CHA; 4361-6382; www.cha.org.ar). For travel details there’s the agency Pride Travel (Map; 5218-6556; www.pride-travel.com; Paraguay 523, 2E).
Bars & Nightclubs
And if you need some energy to get you through the night, gay-friendly restaurants include Empire Bar, Rave (Map; 4833-7832; Gorriti 5092) and La Farmacia (Map; 4300-6151; Bolívar 898).
AZÚCAR
4865-3103; Av Corrientes 3330; Fri & Sat
The cha-cha-cha moves, neon lights and humid atmosphere might briefly take you to a more tropical locale than BA – but then a line dance brings you back to this slightly kitschy salsa club. It’s a busy, energetic joint that has a good following, with plenty of salsa, rock and even belly-dancing classes available in the early evening. It’s located diagonally across from the gorgeous Abasto mall.
BAHREIN
4314-8886; www.bahreinba.com; Lavalle 345; Tue-Sat
Attracting a good share of BA’s pierced and tattooed youth, Bahrein is hugely popular for its Tuesday night drum & bass parties – highlighted with fast, aggressive electronic rhythms by resident DJ Bad Boy Orange. Trance, house and popular tunes round out the music menu, while an elegant upstairs restaurant provides much-needed energy. The club is housed in an old bank; check out the ‘vault’ in the basement.
CLUB ARÁOZ
4832-9751; www.araoz-club.com.ar; Aráoz 2424; Thu-Sat
Also known as ‘Lost’, this small club’s finest hour is on Thursday, when hip-hop rules the roost and the regulars start break dancing around 2am (reggaeton comes on later in the evening). National and international DJs liven up the weekends. There’s no dress code – a good thing, since it tends to get hot and sweaty in there. Very popular with young Americans, it’s a great place to dance for hours and have a good time with friends – the drinks are well-priced as well.
COCOLICHE
4331-6413; www.cocoliche.net; Rivadavia 878; Tue & Thu-Sat
A great DJ club in BA is this electronic-music paradise, based in a modest yet slightly glamorous old mansion. Strut in and be welcomed by a long bar and tasty cocktails. But it’s the downstairs basement that holds the main stage, a great sound system and state-of-the-art light show. Breakbeat, drum & bass, reggaeton and electronic cumbia (Columbian music) entertain, and when you need a break head to the 2nd-floor chill-out room.
CROBAR
4778-1500; www.crobar.com; cnr Paseo de la Infanta Isabel & Freyre; Fri & Sat
The latest addition to the international chain, Crobar is the current darling of the BA’s club world. Fridays always feature international DJs mashing up the latest electronic selections, while Saturdays tend to feature more commercial beats. There’s also a back room for those who prefer classic rock, ’80s remixes and occasional live bands, while the main levels are strewn with mezzanines and walkways for those perfect viewpoints. Although Crobar is more formal than other clubs, you don’t have to be wearing designer clothing to have a great time.
EL LIVING
4811-4730; MT de Alvear 1540; Thu-Sat
At over a dozen years old, this small nightclub is relatively ancient but still going strong. Friday is the best night, and if you come at 10pm you can have dinner. A spotlighted room with a bar runs music videos on a large screen and is strewn with low tables and lounges, while the main dance hall is strobed for epileptic effect and lined with cushy sofas for the wallflowers. Music runs the ’80s rock to English punk gamut.
GLAM
4963-2521; www.glambsas.com.ar; JA Cabrera 3046; Thu-Sat
Housed on three floors in an old mansion with tall brick hallways, this mazelike club is very sexy – and gets really crowded because of it. The young guys are very good-looking and are here to dance and get to know each other better – there are no shows to distract, just casual lounges, pretty bars and free condoms at the door. Thursday and Saturday are the biggest nights here.
JET
4782-5599; Av Rafael Obligado 4801; Fri & Sat
More of a fashionable lounge than a night club, Jet often serves as a precursor to high-class crowds that later will migrate to nearby late-night clubs Mint (opposite) and Pachá. A long list of pricey drinks complements the food here (sushi is popular), while sexy couches look out over docks and sailboats. Expect attractive people, flattering lighting and good mainstream music.
LA SALSERA
4864-1733; www.lasalsera.com; Yatay 961; Fri-Sun
Buenos Aires’ first salsa and merengue club, La Salsera continues to be one of the city’s best spots for Caribbean beats. The scene is wonderfully energetic, and just about everyone is dancing and having fun. Upstairs it’s much darker and more sedate – the place to go after you’ve worn yourself out from all that activity downstairs. There’s also a chill-out garden, and salsa classes are available earlier on.
MALUCO BELEZA
4372-1737; www.malucobeleza.com.ar; Sarmiento 1728; Wed & Fri-Sun
Located in an old mansion is this popular Brazilian boliche. It gets really packed with crowds happily grinding to samba fusion music and watching lithe, half-naked dancers writhing on the stage. For a more sedate atmosphere, climb the stairs where it’s darker and more laid-back. If you’re craving Brazilian cuisine, get here at 8pm on Wednesday when dinner (think feijoada, a beans and meat stew) and a show are on tap. You can even sign up for Axe or Zouk-Lambada dance classes.
MINT
4771-5870; Av Costanera R Obligado & Sarmiento; Fri & Sat
Mint is one of the larger and trendier clubs in BA, still very fashionable and attracting the beautiful people after all these years. Big-name DJs spin a good mix of hip-hop, electronica and trance beats that keep the 20-something crowds riled up – but beats can be loungey as well. An awesome riverside patio is great for kicking back and letting the sweat cool from your brow after sweating it up on the dance floor. Friday nights are best, but don’t get here earlier than 2am.
MUSEUM
4543-3894; Perú 535; Wed, Fri & Sat
This cavernous disco is best known for its Wednesday night ‘after-office’ party (which starts at 8pm), where fun-loving porteños cast aside their cubicles, throw down two-for-one drinks and dance their way over the midweek hump. It’s a huge space with multibalconies (each with its own bar) and a great sound system. Saturday nights feature incredible light shows and house music. Note the amazing building, an old factory which was designed by Eiffel (who did that Parisian landmark of the same name).
NICETO CLUB
4779-9396; www.nicetoclub.com; Niceto Vega 5510; Thu-Sat
One of the city’s biggest crowd-pullers, the can’t-miss event at Niceto Club is Wednesday night’s party Zizek. This cutting-edge DJ extravaganza features creative new sounds blending hip-hop, dancehall and electronic beats with cumbia, reggae, folklore and even aboriginal chants. Both national and international spin masters take the booth to entertain hip crowds, and the artsy video installations are pretty cool, too.
PACHÁ
4788-4280; near cnr Costanera Norte & La Pampa; Fri & Sat
Famous guest DJs from countries such as Israel and Germany spin tunes for the youthful, spruced-up and snobby masses attracted by this huge and popular club. Laser lightshows and a great sound system make every-one happy. Saturday nights (nicknamed ‘Clubland’) are best, but don’t come until after 4am – giving you time to party away before heading to the terrace and watching the sun come up – bring your shades.
RUMI
4782-1307; www.rumiba.com.ar; Av Figueroa Alcorta 6442; Wed-Sat
If you’re looking for glamour, fashion and possible celebrity sightings, then ultracool Rumi is your mecca. Dress well and groom yourself impeccably to satisfy the picky bouncers, then enter into a wonderland of electronica, hip-hop and house beats. Famous DJs spin on Wednesday night’s Batonga party, but weekends are equally popular. Has a fancy atmosphere with a fine sound system; upscale dinners are available earlier on.
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LIVE MUSIC
There are some fine venues that only feature live music, but many theaters, cultural centers, bars and cafés also put on shows. For tango music performances, see the tango section in the Arts chapter Click here; Centro Cultural Torquato Tasso is an especially good choice.
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ROCK, BLUES & JAZZ
Buenos Aires boasts a thriving rock music scene. The following are smaller venues that showcase mostly local groups; when huge international stars come to town they tend to play soccer stadiums or Luna Park (see the boxed text Click here).
Blues and jazz aren’t as popular as rock, but still have their own loyal following. The restaurant-café Clásica y Moderna occasionally hosts jazz groups.
For more information on rock in Argentina Click here, and for blues and jazz Click here.
BLUES SPECIAL CLUB
4854-2338; Av Almirante Brown 102; Fri & Sat
Fridays are good for jam sessions, while on Saturdays at midnight the shows really start rockin’. This is a good-sized, semi-artsy venue, and international blues stars such as Dave Meyers, Phil Guy, Eddie King and Aaron Burton have all played here.
EL SAMOVAR DE RASPUTÍN
4302-3190; Del Valle Iberlucea 1232; Fri & Sat
Located across from its original location (where you can come during the day and check out photos of Napo, the hippyish owner, with Keith Richards, Eric Clapton and Pavarotti), Argentine bands play rock and blues here most of the time. Bus 29 gets you here from the city center.
LA TRASTIENDA
5237-7200 (via Ticketek); www.latrastienda.com; Balcarce 460; nightly
The large theater in the back of the restaurant here can entertain over 700, and showcases all sorts of live groups (mostly rock) – both national and international. Look for headers such as Charlie Garcia, Los Divididos, Marilyn Manson and the Wailers. Get tickets at the office here or through Ticketek (www.ticketek.com.ar).
MITOS ARGENTINOS
4362-7810; www.mitosargentinos.com.ar; Humberto Primo 489; Wed-Sun
This cozy old brick house in San Telmo has hosted rock groups for over a dozen years. It’s not too big, with lots of tables, a perfectly sized stage and a small balcony above. Known for its tributes to ‘rock nacional’ bands. Limited dinner options can include all-you-can-drink.
ND/ATENEO
4328-2888; www.ndateneo.com.ar; Paraguay 918; nightly
This remodeled theater stages a wide variety of national and international acts of all genres, with emphasis on rock, jazz and folk music. Well organized with good acoustics and quality concerts, it also puts on films, theater and other artsy shows; in 2008 it hosted the Buenos Aires International Jazz Festival.
NOTORIOUS
4815-8473; www.notorious.com.ar; Av Callao 966; nightly
This slick and intimate joint is one of Buenos Aires’ premier jazz venues. Up front you can sit at modern glass tables and listen to CDs before you buy them. In the back the restaurant-café (overlooking a verdant garden) hosts live jazz shows every night. Log on to the website for schedules.
THELONIOUS CLUB
4829-1562; www.theloniusclub.com.ar; Salguero 1884, 1st fl; Wed-Sun
Up the stairs at this old mansion there’s a dimly lit and artsy jazz bar, with high brick ceilings and a good sound system. Come early to snag a good seat and partake in the interesting menu and wide range of cocktails. Thelonious is known for its great jazz lineups, with DJs entertaining into the early morning hours.
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FOLK
Música folklórica definitely has its place in Buenos Aires. There are several peñas (traditional music clubs) in the city, but many other venues– such as Clásica y Moderna – occasionally host folk performances. For more information on folk music in Argentina, Click here.
GUAYANA
4381-4350; Lima 27; daily, shows Fri & Sat
For a place with great local working-class flavor, check out this nondescript eatery near Av 9 de Julio. It’s not fancy at all, just a local spot offering cheap food and surprisingly good music. Live tango and folk tunes play from 10pm to 1am on weekends, then the open-mic singers start. The entertainment’s free with a minimum consumption of AR$15. Reserve a table on Saturday night.
LA PEÑA DEL COLORADO
4822-1038, www.lapeniadelcolorado.com; Güemes 3657; nightly
Nightly folkloric shows are awesome at this rustic restaurant-bar, and afterwards audience members pick up nearby guitars to make their own entertainment (groups sing to each other in a sort of friendly competition). There’s also tasty northern Argentine food on offer, including locro (a corn and meat stew), chipá (chewy cheese balls) and humitas de Chala (like tamales) – the spicy empanadas are excellent. Mate (a popular local tea) is also available.