Buenos Aires Cocktail Guide: Which Drink Are You?

Ascendientes is a Malbec–Cabernet Franc from the Uco Valley, aged in concrete eggs. Expressive, juicy and easy to drink, it offers bright fruit and a freshness that makes you want to order another glass without thinking twice. This wine sets the tone at Vereda Adentro, Núñez’s wine bar, where the concept revolves around a carefully curated selection of labels — natural wines, whites, reds and rosés — designed for relaxed drinking on the sidewalk with friends.

At the bar, wines are served by the glass in 110 ml pours, almost like choosing flavors at an ice cream shop. To pair, seasonal dishes come out effortlessly: empanadas, chipa guazú, oyster mushroom shawarma, plus vegan and gluten-free options.

Insider tip: it’s pet friendly, so the plan includes a glass in hand and your furry friend by your side.

Where: 11 de Septiembre de 1888 3201.

Behind a black door in the heart of Buenos Aires’ Chinatown hides Puerta Uno, one of the city’s original speakeasies, where the Antidote cocktail invites you to let go. It combines lemon and grapefruit, Torrontés wine, Aperol, Sernova vodka, ginger, house bitters and a smoky cinnamon finish that adds depth and mystery.

Creative, fresh and full of character, it’s ideal for post–home office drinks with friends and for stretching the night while exploring the extensive and varied cocktail menu, where classics meet signature creations.

The space is dark, elegant and slightly mystical, captivating from the moment you step inside. Dim lights, chandeliers, candles, flowers and artwork create an intimate, sophisticated atmosphere. A curated selection of wines and beers rounds out the experience.

Insider tip: happy hour Tuesday to Thursday, from 6 to 9 pm.

Where: Av. Juramento 1667.

Beata’s Nitro Dry Stout is dark, with toasted coffee notes, creamy foam and a light body — ideal for an easygoing afternoon. For those days when all you want is a great beer, long conversations and watching the sun set over the neighborhood, Gepetto Bar is the place.

The bright interior, thanks to a large window, is complemented by a terrace that adds an urban corner worth settling into. The menu blends neighborhood classics with a contemporary twist: Neapolitan milanesa, shepherd’s pie and beef empanadas are among the favorites. Alongside beer, vermouth, Fernet, gin & tonic and Cynar Julep also stand out.

Insider tip: happy hour Tuesday to Friday from 5 to 7 pm, with 2-for-1 on selected beers.

Where: Pedro Rivera 5799.

The star wine at Temporada Bar is Finca Feliz Orange Wine, Tesoro, Criolla 2023: fresh, vibrant and full of Chacarita vibes, balancing classic and creative. For sunny days and unhurried afternoons on the terrace, this spot is perfect. One of the neighborhood’s newest openings, it mixes industrial air with creativity and corners that make you want to come back.

You might also like: 10 orange wines you should try

The bar is open only in summer, from December to March, Tuesday to Sunday from 6 pm to midnight. Run by its owners, it adds a warm, personal touch. The menu features raw fish, lemon pasta with clams, Mary’s gazpacho, gildas and other shareable dishes.

Insider tip: follow them on Instagram to keep up with pop-ups, special dates and DJ nights.

Where: Bonpland 928.

Lo de Messi is one of the most original drinks at La Calle (Villa Crespo location). Made with mate-infused gin, elderflower, lime and simple syrup, it’s fresh, playful and full of personality — and each cocktail comes with a Messi figurine included. The signature cocktails surprise with unexpected combinations, alongside a wide selection of classics and creative alcohol-free options.

The bar enhances the experience: hidden behind a pizzeria, it grabs attention with neon lights, graffiti and a spacious dance floor, backed by great music that keeps the night going. From the graphic design of the menu to the cocktails themselves, every detail oozes creativity and style. La Calle has it all.

Insider tip: open Tuesday to Saturday for food and drinks; on Fridays and Saturdays, the dance floor takes center stage.

Where: Gurruchaga 732.

Directo de la Heladera is SESH Bar’s must-try cocktail: London Dry gin, syrup, lemon, fruit liqueur, hibiscus and egg white. Refreshing, experimental and very Palermo, it’s part of a menu of 12 signature cocktails where creativity and technique shine. Hidden behind the refrigerators of Bros & Hops, SESH perfectly embodies the idea of a “secret bar.”

Once inside — literally through a fridge — the atmosphere shifts: warm lighting, candles and top-tier design, with a heated indoor lounge and a climate-controlled outdoor terrace for year-round enjoyment. A space and a drink designed to soak up Palermo’s experimental, high-end vibe.

Insider tip: reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.

Where: Honduras 5916.

Toblerone is one of the highlights of the new bar at Alvear Grill, inside the Alvear Palace Hotel. Made with Frangelico, Bailey’s, Borghetti and coffee beans, it’s intense, creamy and perfect for turning any afternoon into a luxurious plan. Another standout is the Gran Alvear, a fresh, bubbly cocktail with gin, pineapple pulp, sparkling wine, orange liqueur and lemon — ideal for sunset toasts.

You might also like: Hotel bars you shouldn’t miss

The Alvear Grill bar offers carefully crafted cocktails to enjoy and unwind in one of the city’s great temples of meat, elevating Buenos Aires cuisine to another level.

Insider tip: in the heart of Recoleta, the Alvear Palace combines French-inspired architecture, history and impeccable service. Its terrace and high-up views transform the city at sunset, creating a relaxed atmosphere that complements every sip.

Where: Av. Alvear 1891.

Hada Blanca is the signature cocktail at Absenta Bar and the perfect companion for those who seek surprising flavors that play with the classics. It features Sernova vodka, sparkling wine and chamomile syrup, a citrus touch, soda and a hint of absinthe perfume. Subtle, balanced and award-winning, it reflects the bar’s creativity and that blend of tradition and exploration that defines Devoto.

The space completes the experience: an open-air terrace, heated lounges with sofas and armchairs, and live DJs on weekends. The agenda is constantly renewed, with tarot and mentalism nights or themed parties that keep the surprise factor alive.

Insider tip: Villa Devoto was named the coolest neighborhood in Buenos Aires in 2025 by Time Out Travel.

Where: Nueva York 4899.

The perfect drink: the Tranvía cocktail blends Gin Royale with fresh lime, red berries and a touch of sugar, finished with a splash of Malbec for body and depth. The result is a fresh, fruity cocktail with a perfect balance of acidity and sweetness. If your plan includes grill fires, friends and a great cocktail, Fogosa Parrilla is the answer.

The atmosphere mixes tradition and modernity: a casual, contemporary dining room plus an outdoor terrace for sunny days and mild nights, with enough space to make every visit feel personal. Fire, flavor and good energy come together in each experience — a distinctive proposal in Caballito, where grill and cocktail culture live in perfect harmony.

Insider tip: open daily from noon to midnight; Fridays and Saturdays until 1 am.

Where: Valle 1093, corner of Emilio Mitre.

The defining drink at Cucha del Pari is a Fernet Branca with Coca-Cola — straightforward and perfect with any dish. When you’re looking for a plan that combines neighborhood warmth with surprising flavors, Cucha del Pari in La Paternal is the place: good music, dishes that reinvent classics and the desire to linger for hours chatting. The mood is relaxed, with that neighborhood spirit that makes everything feel authentic.

Vinyl records spinning in high fidelity, DJs and sound reminiscent of an intimate jazz club complete the experience. Warm lighting, vintage furniture and statement speakers make Cucha del Pari a spot where neighborhood, music and food come together effortlessly, ensuring every visit is enjoyable and memorable.

Insider tip: the menu includes porteño classics like hot dogs and milanesa sandwiches, plus a carefully selected wine list featuring reds, rosés, orange wines and sparkling wines.

Where: Batalla del Pari 916.

The Cynar Julep at Hormiga Negra blends the freshness of the classic julep with the herbal, slightly bitter character of Cynar — perfect for those seeking a refreshing sip with a sophisticated twist. Mint aromas and botanical notes make it the ideal companion for sharing alongside beers and snacks in a relaxed, lively setting.

The bar keeps an easygoing spirit, with a menu designed to pair with drinks and beers, ideal for sharing. From vegetarian wraps and Philly cheesesteaks to patatas bravas, everything comes with good music and good vibes. Perfect for after-office drinks with friends, it also invites you to stay for dinner and extend the night.

Insider tip: Hormiga Negra has locations in neighborhoods like Saavedra and Belgrano. You can also pre-purchase drinks through their website.

Where: Lavalle 3565.

The signature drink at Populacha Bar is the Punch Bianc. Bright and balanced, the fresh sweetness of pineapple juice and the acidity of orange juice intertwine with the herbal, slightly bitter notes of Cinzano Bianco. The cocktail program, led by Santiago Arenas, combines classics and signature drinks with porteño nods, perfect for starting the night or ending dinner in style.

If you’re looking for a mood that breathes neighborhood Buenos Aires, history and a hint of mystery, Populacha Bar in Parque Avellaneda is an ideal refuge. This basement transports you to tango’s golden age, with low lighting, an antique bar and armchairs that invite you to stay for hours. Between vinyls, bandoneons and a giant mural of Tita Merello, Populacha is more than a bar — it’s a journey through Argentine culture.

Insider tip: to enter Populacha, first go through Olivera El Bodegón and look for the door leading down to the secret basement.

Where: Av. Olivera 901.

The chosen drink at Bar La Academia is the foolproof Cinzano vermouth with soda and lemon. Refreshing and light, it balances vermouth’s characteristic bitterness with a citrus touch, making it easy to drink — whether for a midday break or an after-office drink that stretches on unexpectedly. This is the place to seek tradition.

You might also like: The best picadas in Buenos Aires

At night — especially late at night — the bar surprises with special promos, and every vermouth or cocktail arrives with peanuts or chips, that very porteño detail that adds identity and warmth. Open 24 hours a day since 1930, Bar La Academia is a Microcentro icon and a Listed Notable Bar, a classic meeting point at any hour.

Insider tip: it has two floors, with the upper level dedicated to games — pool, foosball, cards and darts — perfect for groups, birthdays or a fun hangout.

Where: Montevideo 341.

When you’re looking for a cocktail that combines precision, freshness and a hint of surprise, the house Martini at Acuario Bar is the one. Made with citrus-forward Spanish gin, house-infused lemon peel and perfectly balanced dry vermouth, this martini is served ice-cold and designed to be enjoyed in three perfect sips. The house signature comes at the end: a caper berry replaces the classic olive — clean, elegant and unobtrusive, letting each note shine clearly.

Acuario Bar occupies a historic modernist building in Retiro, designed by Antonio Bonet and originally conceived as artists’ studios. Today, it blends architecture with signature cocktails, making it the perfect place to swap the office for the bar.

Insider tip: Acuario Bar is one of many projects currently revitalizing Buenos Aires’ Microcentro.

Where: Paraguay 900.

Bocanada’s classic Tinto de Verano is pure, uncomplicated freshness. Light red wine, soda and ice come together in a refreshing, slightly sweet and citrusy drink, ideal for warm afternoons, long conversations or sharing picadas with friends. Each sip is simple, balanced and laid-back — a true porteño classic that never fails.

At Bocanada, the plan combines shareable plates, creative cocktails, a terrace and DJ nights, all with the perfect soundtrack. Whether it’s a relaxed after-office drink, meeting friends or an afternoon in the sun, the atmosphere invites you to enjoy without rush. Here are other tinto de verano options worth trying in the city.

Insider tip: from Thursday to Sunday, you can also stop by for lunch, as it opens from noon.

Where: Bolívar 929.

Quimera is the signature cocktail at Piso Cero Terraza Bar: intense, elegant and unforgettable. It features an exclusive blend of Vuelta Abajo, Antica Formula, Fernet Branca, Flor de Caña 4-year rum and bitters, all smoked with cedarwood. A deep, characterful drink that steals the spotlight from the first sip.

Located about 20 minutes from Buenos Aires city, the bar scores points with both an indoor space and an outdoor terrace, where low red lighting, plants and personality-filled objects — including vintage cars — create a relaxed yet energetic atmosphere. There’s always something happening: sunset DJs, wine events, tarot readings and shareable dishes, all paired with signature cocktails that invite you to stay for one more round.

Insider tip: it’s part of Vuelta Abajo Social Club, one of Buenos Aires’ most exclusive cigar clubs. You can take a tour through the history of the habano and even smoke if you like — but even without lighting one, the visit is worth it just to try the iconic Quimera.

Where: Av. Libertador 1545, Vicente Lopez, Buenos Aires.