11 of the Best Themed Bars and Restaurants in Buenos Aires
Switch things up or discover a space to indulge in your true passions at these themed bars.
It’s no secret that Buenos Aires’ nightlife comes in all shapes and forms, but a relatively new scene of themed bars and restaurants takes the imagination to new levels. A simple night, or afternoon out, can now easily drop you into an ‘80s time warp, manga lounge, or a pop culture universe. Many of these places go beyond the decorations, too. They promise immersive, original, and sometimes cheeky outings with a pinch of storytelling that might put you off returning to a normal bar, café, or restaurant.
1. Lo del Diego
Diego Maradona rose to god-like status during his two spells at Boca Juniors, so it’s only fitting that the neighborhood has a bar dedicated to his legend and legacy. Decked out in iconic photos, team shirts, and life-sized statues, it’s a celebration of El Diez from his humble beginnings to global superstar. Fanatics will love the virtual reality game that lets you reenact some of his most famous goals, including the infamous Hand of God. While many come for the memorabilia and souvenirs, hungry visitors can feast on football and Maradona-themed burgers, pizzas, and confectionery. You can even grab a beer served in a World Cup trophy-shaped glass.
Location: Av. Don Pedro de Mendoza 1859, La Boca
Opening hours: Daily from 10 am to 8 pm
Explore more of one of the city’s most colorful and curious barrios with our La Boca guide
Fancy posing with Messi and the World Cup, climbing into a Barbie box, or recreating the floating scene from The Exorcist? In Microcentro, Nivel Dios invites you to do exactly this. BA’s first selfie bar has 20 themed areas designed for snapping photos. Think Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, Up!, and The Simpsons, among other curious sets. In the basement, there’s a virtual reality space blending everything from multiplayer games to reruns of concerts and sports matches. Fast food is the inspiration for the menu, with options for all times of day, and the drinks bar is packed with beers and classic cocktails.
Location: San Martín 678, San Nicolás
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 8.30 am to 1 am; Friday until 2 am; Saturday until 3 am; and Sunday, 12 pm to 9 pm
3. Momo Manga
From its Japanese origins, manga culture has spread from the far east to capture the imaginations of comic lovers around the world. If this is your vibe, Momo Manga is the city’s first manga and anime café, set up for true downtime. Low tables, soft puffs, and quiet corners create a space where you can read from the shelves while sipping from the specialty coffee menu. Food options are Asian inspired, with highlights like sweet or savory fish-shaped taiyaki waffle sandwiches. Visits are by reservation only, incur a small fee, and are for individuals or groups of up to four people.
Location: Uruguay 263 1st Floor, San Nicolás
Opening hours: Thursday and Friday, 12 pm to 5 pm; Saturday and Sunday until 6 pm
4. Cocktail 80
Cocktail 80 is Saavedra’s retro rabbit hole, a colorful bar that drops you straight into the 70s and 80s. Psychedelic wallpaper sets the scene, while old Entel phone booths, collectible figurines, vintage appliances, and even a life-size E.T. pull you fully into the nostalgia. The food menu features era-inspired bites like the Charly García bruschetta and the Flaco Spinetta sandwich, plus cocktails named after old-school favorites. With music low enough to chat early on and a livelier pulse later on, it’s an easygoing pick for couples or friends, especially those who enjoy Rick Astley tunes segueing into Soda Stereo and Sumo.
Location: Arias 2455, Saavedra
Opening hours: Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 6 pm to 12 am; Thursday until 1 am; and Friday and Saturday until 2 am
5. El Antojo
Not a themed bar or restaurant in the traditional sense; however, this bodegon has become synonymous with its themed milanesa, most notably since Argentina won the 2022 World Cup. They serve giant-sized breaded meat cutlets in the form of everyone from Messi to Di Maria and Dua Lipa to Oasis, which have earned cult status among locals and celebrities alike. Football fans can order theirs sculpted into the shape of their beloved club’s badge, while personalized birthday options are also offered. Making it all the more of a football shrine is a collection of match-worn shirts hanging on the walls.
Location: Manuel Ugarte 1699, Núñez
Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday, 12 pm to 3.30 pm and 7.30 pm to 11.30 pm
Fans of Squid Game can relive the series without actually risking their lives at this bar at the edge of Barrio Chino. Stepping inside reveals iconic elements from the series, the red uniforms, masks, and bunk beds included. There’s the opportunity to play classic games, too, such as ddakji (flipping folded paper by slamming another one against it) and gonggi (tossing and catching five small stones). Food leans into Korean favorites, namely hattogu (hot dog), kimbap, and ramen, while the drinks menu includes beers, soju, and typical Korean juices.
Location: Juramento 1700, Bajo Belgrano / Chinatown
Opening hours: Daily from 8 am to 11.30 pm
7. Maradona 10
Opposite the Chinatown gates is another celebration of Diego Maradona. This vibrant restaurant-cum-bar is decked out with Maradona paraphernalia and memorabilia, with nods to momentous occasions in his storied career. The menu is also influenced by his life. Guests can tuck into the Adios, papito (fish and chips served on an English newspaper) and Mila de la Tota (a milanesa honoring Diego’s mother, Doña Tota). It’s not uncommon to be greeted by a Maradona lookalike at the door, and on October 30th, punters gather dressed in Maradona shirts to celebrate his birthday.
Location: Mcal. Antonio José de Sucre 1651, Bajo Belgrano / Chinatown
Opening hours: Daily from 10 am to 12 pm
Check out our Bajo Belgrano and Barrio Chino guide for more top places to eat and drink
El Destello brings 1980s nostalgia to a quiet stretch of Palermo Viejo. Think neon lights and a vibe that transports you back to movies like Electric Dreams and Weird Science. Luring punters in is a collection of vintage arcade machines that hark back to an era of coin-operated fun. Between rounds of Pac-Man, Tetris, Mortal Kombat, and Wonder Boy, you can sip signature cocktails with names like Todo Gucci, Joan Collins, and Italpark (a nod to a former city amusement park). Food-wise, comfort plates include burgers, tequeños, and loaded hot dogs. And the crowd is a mix of older gamers reliving their youth and twenty-somethings chasing retro vibes.
Location: Gascón 1460, Palermo Viejo (East)
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday, 7 pm to 1 am; Friday and Saturday until 2 am
See what else is going on in this understated corner with our Palermo Viejo (East) guide
9. The Hole - Penitentiary Bar
Penitentiary and a journey back to 1930s San Francisco is the theme of this offbeat Palermo spot. Customers have to wait for the guard to open the door before being led to the main room by police officers (costumed, of course). Once here, bartenders dressed in the iconic orange Alcatraz overalls are waiting to mix and serve drinks. Most drink names are inspired by notorious criminals such as Al Capone and Robert Stroud. Hungry inmates can fuel up on sushi and finger food options. Wanted posters and cell doors complete the prison theme, while DJs spin smooth beats.
Location: Armenia 1743, Palermo Soho
Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday, 8 pm to 2.30 am; Thursday until 3 am; Friday and Saturday until 4 am
Dive into BA’s hidden underground with our guide to the city’s best speakeasy bars
10. Knowhere Collectibles Cafe
This isn’t any old Palermo café, it’s a curated wonderland of Marvel, Star Wars, Funko, and more pop culture gems spread across two floors. A nirvana for collectors, the shop’s shelves are stocked with figurines and life-sized models of characters like E.T., Pikachu, and Yoda. The café area serves Lavazza coffee alongside themed lattes and house-made cakes and pastries. Created by collectors for collectors, there are often special promotions tied to the latest movie releases, comics, or video games. You’ll also find the team participating in the Argentina Comic Con.
Location: Honduras 5120, Palermo Hollywood
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 12 pm to 8 pm
Dedicated sports bars like those found in the US and around Europe are somewhat of a rarity for a city as mad about football as this one. Enter The Classic Sports Bar, on Plaza Armenia, which has positioned itself as Palermo’s go-to for NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, UFC, Premier League, and everything in between. With screens at the sit-up bar, plus outdoor seating and screens, there’s plenty of viewing options throughout. A food menu stacked with burgers, sandwiches, and wings helps soak up the beer and drinks. They also host regular casino and karaoke nights.
Location: Malabia 1885, Palermo Soho
Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday and Friday, 5 pm to 1 am; Thursday, 2 pm to 2 am; and Saturday and Sunday, 12 pm to 2 am
Any Bitcoin bar in BA?