Secret Bars of Buenos Aires: Explore the Hidden Underground 🍸
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Secret Bars of Buenos Aires: Explore the Hidden Underground 🍸
Our premium insider's guide explores the hidden bars of BA.
Bars with secret passwords hidden behind the back doors of boutiques, lounges set inside refurbished warehouses, and even places visible to the naked eye, Buenos Aires is a hot topic when it comes to speakeasies and the craft cocktail movement. Run by passionate bartenders dedicated to the art of mixology, many of these spots take on an old-school New York style.
Historically, Argentines have been die-hard wine drinkers (which is easy to understand when you consider the standard of the nation’s wine). Beer has long been a favorite, as has the standard nightclub drink, fernet, and Coke. However, there’s much more to enjoy. Porteños have always had a cultural connection with Italy, and their drinks do, too. Amari (bitters), Campari, and sweet vermouth are omnipresent. Mixologists adopt native herbs as well as locally distilled liquor. Among the most common additions are yerba mate, pisco, and Cynar (a bittersweet artichoke liqueur). Moreover, you can enjoy the country’s world-famous Malbec in more ways than you could possibly imagine.
Whether you want to sip the innovative creations of Argentina’s most-revered mixologists, or simply like to mingle with Buenos Aires’ cool crowd, here’s a rundown of speakeasy style bars to set you on your way.
Boca Arriba-Boca Abajo (Maipú 872, Microcentro).
From the outside, this locale looks like nothing more than a modern laundromat. But in the basement, is an ultra-cool speakeasy/restaurant. A veritable Pandora’s box born in the pandemic, the exclusive wine bar/restaurant has an ever-changing food menu. During the last week of the month, reservations for the following month are taken and usually filled quickly due to limited opening days. Each month also sees new guests bartenders, chefs, and sommeliers working their magic on guests.
Opening Hours: Monday - Tuesday 8pm - 12am. Wedensday-Saturday 7:30-12:30am. Sundays closed.
The Harrison Speakeasy (Malabia 1764, Palermo Soho).
Past an irrelevant door at the rear of Nicky New York Sushi is one of the most revered speakeasies in B.A. It’s the creation of the owners of Franks (see below) and emulates a 1920s-style Prohibition-era bar. The bartenders turn out in dapper attire, always happy to talk you through what you’re about to drink. The Union Pacific (vodka, bitters, Earl Grey tea, ginger syrup, and lemon peel) is a tantalizing combination. You might need to use your best networking skills to get the password.
Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 8pm to 3am.
The Hole Bar - Alcatraz Speakeasy Hidden Bar (Armenia 1743, Palermo Soho).
Penitentiary and a journey back to 1930s San Francisco is the theme of this off-beat 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.
Opening hours: Monday-Wednesday 8pm to 2.30am, Thursday 8pm to 3am, Friday to Saturday 8pm to 4am
J.W. Bradley (Godoy Cruz 1875, Palermo Soho).
Railroad nostalgia reigns supreme at this mandatory stop on the speakeasy scene. Paying homage to the Orient Express and the golden age of train travel, the bar resembles an old station and is decked out in clocks and wooden seats. Shared tables create a sociable vibe for both couples and groups of friends. The drinks menu transcends the train’s journey with inspirations coming from English tea, Italian vermouth, Scottish whisky, and more. Drinkers can turn up and find a table, while reservations are required for diners.
Opening hours: Wednesday-Thursday 8pm to 2am, Friday-Saturday 8pm to 4am.
La Calle (Niceto Vega 4942, Palermo Soho).
At the rear of La Guitarrita, an old-school pizza joint, a large door opens into a whole new universe. La Calle, or The Street in English, resembles exactly as its name suggests – a street, but one with eclectic tastes. Art and plants adorn the walls and kermesse lights provide an outdoor garden vibe. Drinks are named after and celebrate the ingredients of worldwide cities, while food comes straight from the adjoining pizzeria. Partygoers can hang around for the Volkswagen DJ Van to start up.
Opening hours: Sunday-Wednesday 8pm to 2am, Thursday-Saturday 8pm to 4am.
La Uat (Thames 1627, Palermo Soho).
A block away from Plaza Serrano, Cacho Rotiseria is the street facade for a small, intimate dance floor. A curtain is all that separates the restaurant from La Uat, a hangout for hipsters sipping on fluorescent cocktails. DJs spin everything from cumbia to hip-hop to 80s-90s pop for those who want to move. Meanwhile, the upstairs terrace has more space and a calmer atmosphere. Monday karaoke nights lure the budding pop stars.
Opening hours: Tuesday-Wednesday 8pm to 3am, Thursday-Saturday 8pm to 4am.
The Rouge (Godoy Cruz 1885, Palermo Soho).
A relatively new player on the bar scene, The Rouge transports you to Paris on a playful journey of the Moulin Rouge. From the decor to the food and drinks menu, every detail has a French touch, including a wine cellar inside the bar's very own molino rouge (red windmill). Good for a date or night out with friends, the odd Argentine celebrity is known to frequent the bar.
Opening hours: Wednesday-Saturday 8pm to 3am.
Victoria Brown (Costa Rica 4827, Palermo Soho).
Resembling a Victoria-era steampunk factory, this long-standing cocktail bar has a dark and cozy ambiance with comfortable leather booths. A mural of HRH Queen Victoria welcomes guests and sets the scene for the fusion of industrial revolution and contemporary chic. Although disguised, Victoria Brown welcomes all, no password required – look for the door that recreates a disused storefront.
Opening hours: Tuesday-Wednesday 8pm to 2am, Thursday 8pm to 3am, Friday-Saturday 8pm to 4am.
El Purgatorio (Arévalo 2101-2199, Palermo Hollywood).
Behind an unassuming door, El Purgatorio takes the speakeasy to a new level of exclusiveness. Open to members only, it’s a place of tunics, antique mirrors, glasses, and cutlery brought from Asia and the old continent. It’s where 22 original cocktails, several infused by a collection of over 50 gins, tempt the taste buds. Once a week, 36 chosen members compete for Avaritia, an exquisite 12-plate tasting menu. Those interested can apply to become a member by answering questions via the website.
Franks (Arévalo 1445, Palermo Hollywood).
Mixing style and decadence, Franks has been a hot spot of B.A. speakeasies since opening in 2010. It’s not so much the drinks but the high-energy parties that give this bar its reputation. Get the password from the social media accounts, knock on the door, and inform the bouncer of said password. He’ll give you a four-digit code that you’ll need to dial into a phone booth. The phone booth then opens to reveal a hallway that leads to a raucous two-story bar.
Opening hours: Wednesday-Thursday 8pm to 2am, Friday-Saturday 8pm to 3am.
Under (Honduras 5900, Palermo Hollywood).
A staircase at Tigre Morado, a notable Peruvian restaurant, leads to a cavernous bar with open brick walls and plush seating that could have been lifted from a lost city. Here, good-looking bartenders mix even better-looking drinks. Curious tipples include TintoDeMontaña, made with Malbec, raspberry, red tea, orange, and chocolate. The team has also recently opened a second Under at Esmeralda 438, Microcentro.
Opening hours: Thursday-Saturday 8pm to 4am.
Uptown (Arevalo 2030, Palermo Hollywood).
Modeled on the New York subway, Uptown whisks you from the streets of BA to a funky NYC vibe. Drinks are named after the subway map, graffiti sprawls across walls, and there’s a subway carriage to boot. Ever popular on the Palermo drinking scene, nights at Uptown tend to start chilled before turning into a full-blown basement party.
Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 8pm to close.
Luzmala Bar (Arcos 2950, Belgrano).
On a tree-lined street in residential Belgrano, Luzmala is a perfect blend of cool, speakeasy-style but without the secrecy or any hint or pretension. Featuring cozy tables, a climatized patio, and a sit-up bar, there’s a space for everyone. The bespoke cocktail menu is a fusion of fresh and fruity options crafted with homemade and native products. Food comes in the form of meat and fish dishes with imaginative touches. Arrive early on Wednesday and Thursday for happy hour beers and gin and tonics.
Opening hours: Sunday, Wednesday-Thursday 8pm to 2am, Friday-Saturday 8pm to 3am.
Piedra Pasillo Al Fondo (Campos Salles 2145, Nuñez).
Set inside a cavernous 1920s mansion, Piedra Pasillo Al Fondo has been making waves on the BA culinary scene for its elegant, experimental, and ever-changing menus. Adding to the offer is a new(ish) bar set at the back (al fondo) of the restaurant. Part bar, part laboratory ingenuity, all of the spirits here are handcrafted to promise a truly unique experience. In turn, the effervescent colors of the ingredients contrast perfectly with the bar’s scratched gray walls. Tapas-style plates offer tasty accompaniments to the cocktails.
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday 8pm - 12:30am. Sunday closed.
Puerta Uno (Juramento 1667).
In the heart of Barrio Chino (Chinatown), but far enough from the bustle, is a slick bar co-founded by the son of World Cup ‘78 winner Alberto Tarantini. Dim lighting, chandeliers, abundant indoor foliage, and a huge mural of Biggie Smalls set the scene, while high tables for couples and booths for groups make it a welcoming spot for all. Make a reservation or turn up at the door, then take a seat and enjoy an ambiance often controlled by live DJs.
Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 8pm to 3am.
Bar Invernadero (Agüero 2502, Recoleta)
There’s no real secret to one of B.A.’s first dedicated gin bars, but the location is perhaps unsuspecting. Invernadero occupies a courtyard beneath the Biblioteca Nacional (National Library). Daytime exudes a laid-back café vibe, but come evening it turns into a sophisticated hangout for gin lovers. Homebrewed draft gin and tonic is the star of the drinks menu, and there are 14 options to sip through, plus dozens of classic gin-infused cocktails.
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 9am to 1am, Friday-Saturday 9am to 2am.
878 (Thames 878, Villa Crespo)
This one-time speakeasy, set in a refurbished textile factory, presents a cozy environment with mood lighting and downtempo soul music. The cocktail features over two dozen options, and there’s a superb selection of single malts and Argentine wines, too. The weekday happy hour from 7pm to 8.30pm on select drinks is worth stopping by for. Food takes on a contemporary twist on traditional porteño fare.
Opening hours: Sunday, Tuesday-Wednesday 7pm to 3am, Thursday-Saturday 7pm to 3am.
Florería Atlántico (Arroyo 872, Retiro)
If you want something chic and disguised, head to this spot. First you need to find the flower-cum-wine shop, then look for an industrial freezer door, which opens to a staircase to this cocktail haven. It’s the brainchild of 878 owner and renowned Argentine mixologist Renato “Tato” Giovannoni. The drink menu is inspired by Argentine immigration, and there’s a page dedicated to the big players, such as Italy, Spain and France. Be sure to sample the refreshing house-distilled gin, which contains yerba mate, eucalyptus and mint. Food-wise, you can choose from tapas, grilled meats, octopus and a host of innovative dishes.
Opening Hours: Open everyday 4pm-2am
Airport Palermo (Cabello 3601, Palermo Botanico/Chico).
For a casual drinking spot with a funky theme, Airport Palermo hits the spot in an area that hasn’t taken off in nightlife terms. It occupies the rooftop of a corner chain café and, as the name suggests, is based on an airport – there’s an aircraft and plane seats. Drinks are named after international airports and inspired by their relative locations, such as the gin and tea-infused Heathrow.
Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 6pm to 2am, Friday-Sunday 6pm to 3am.
La Isla Battuta (Hipodromo de Palermo, cnr. Libertador and Dorrego, Palermo).
Hidden in the middle of the Palermo racecourse sits an open-air bar surrounded by ponds and illuminated by the bright lights of the tall apartment blocks. It’s an ideal spot to enjoy cocktails, pizzas, sharing meat plates and more while feeling an urban connection with nature. Check out the social media accounts for live DJ nights and tribute act concerts.
Opening hours: Wednesday-Friday 7am to 2am, Saturday 7pm to 3am.
Rivendell Speakeasy (Pergamino 730, Sarandí, Avellaneda).
About a 30-minute drive from central B.A., but if you find yourself in the Sarandi/Avellaneda) area then Rivendell Speakeasy is the place to be. It’s a reservation-only spot inspired by the Lord of the Rings. Here, Middle Earth is brought to life by a cavernous, Hobbit like location with rustic decor and lanterns, and staff dressed as elves. There’s also special themed days such as Harry Potter. By day it operates as a café, then becomes a bar at night.
Opening hours: Cafe: Thursday-Saturday 5pm to 8pm. Bar: Friday-Sunday 8pm to 1am.
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