Buenos Aires has built a cocktail scene to match its restaurant scene. Florería Atlántico exports the city's bartending tradition globally; Frank's invented the modern Latin American speakeasy. The 10 below show why BA is now a cocktail destination of its own.
Part of our 50 Best Cocktail Bars in the World listThis article is one chapter in our larger global guide. See the full pillar with every featured city.
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The 10 best cocktail bars in Buenos Aires
01 · Buenos Aires
Retiro
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Florist front · Speakeasy below
Renato 'Tato' Giovannoni's flower-shop-fronted bar. Argentine immigration history as menu structure.
Order: Negroni Balestrini (their riff)
02 · Buenos Aires
Villa Crespo
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Speakeasy · Reservations
Through an unmarked door at Thames 878. The original of the modern BA speakeasy template.
Order: Their seasonal menu signature
03 · Buenos Aires
Palermo
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Phone-booth password · Speakeasy
You enter a phone booth, dial the right number, the wall opens. Old-school speakeasy theatre.
Order: A French 75
04 · Buenos Aires
Retiro
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Basement · Lounge
Hidden Retiro basement lounge. Long bar, knowledgeable bartenders, reservation-friendly.
Order: A clarified milk punch
05 · Buenos Aires
San Telmo
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Vermouth specialist
San Telmo vermouth bar. Argentine vermouth focus, classic cocktails done with quiet precision.
Order: A vermouth flight
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06 · Buenos Aires
Recoleta
$$$
Politically-themed · Polished
Recoleta cocktail bar themed around Argentine presidents. Polished service, classics-driven menu.
Order: A signature with Argentine vermouth
07 · Buenos Aires
Palermo
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Speakeasy · Coffee front
Through a coffee shop in Palermo. Modern speakeasy with strong cocktail technique.
Order: Bartender's choice
08 · Buenos Aires
Palermo
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Steampunk · Modern
Steampunk-themed Palermo cocktail bar. Modern technique with theatrical presentation.
Order: A signature theatrical spec
09 · Buenos Aires
Recoleta
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Hotel rooftop · Glassy
On top of the Casa Lucia hotel. The view of Recoleta and the river is one of BA's best rooftop panoramas.
Order: An Aperol with the Plata in the distance
10 · Buenos Aires
San Telmo
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Pub-cocktail hybrid
San Telmo British-American pub with a serious cocktail program. Late-night food.
Order: A whisky highball
More BA cocktail barsThe full BA cocktail-bar index by neighbourhood.
See the full list
How BA cocktailing finds its identity
BA cocktailing is built on Argentine ingredients (Fernet, vermouth, yerba mate) and an Italian-immigrant aperitivo tradition. The 10 above represent the modern peak. Most peak between 1 and 3 AM — porteños drink late.
