Blog Archives
Barman Fede Cuco at Fierro Hotel
Local celebrity bartender Fede Cuco has embarked on a special adventure. Known as the Cantinero Viajero (Travelling Bartender), he has taken upon paying visits to different bars around the city with a suitcase full of elixirs. This weekend he will be traveling to Fierro Hotel’s Hernán Gipponi Restaurant where he will prepare some of his unique recipes.
The menu will consist of five one-of-a-kind cocktails including a homemade Rob Roy matured in an oak barrel! He will also remind us of the wonders of an old time classic, the Chicago Fizz. Other delectable drinks to be served include C&C Fizz, Multiple Choice Crusta, and Black & Tan.
Don’t miss this chance to share the stories of your trip with this unique traveler who will be at Fierro Hotel on Friday the 4th, and Saturday the 5th of May from 7pm onwards. Soler 5862, Palermo. 3220-6800.
Buenos Aires Nightlife: BA Pub Crawl
(Photo by dandeluca)
Buenos Aires is known for its vibrant nightlife that ends well into the morning. As a visitor it may be difficult to decide on where to go to capitalize on diversion. Fortunately for the “party like a rockstar” types, there is a dedicated group of partiers who have organized the BA Pub Crawl, a fun packed bar hop where people from different nationalities and cultures meet to discover just how wild the BA night can be.
The Pub Crawls are held every night of the week, and explore different areas of the city. Thus, Monday’s event may be in San Telmo, Wednesday’s in Recoleta, Saturday’s in Palermo Hollywood, and so on. This allows travelers to get to know different spots around the city, and to socialize with other like-minded people.
The dedicated organizers of the pub crawl also plan special events for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter for example, whilst also hosting theme nights such as the upcoming Stoplight Pub Crawl on Sunday the 29th of April where everyone attending is expected to wear something red, yellow or green.
Pub Crawls start at different meeting points at 10pm each night. They cost 100 pesos and include free pizza, beer and wine through registration hour (10-11pm), a free shooter at every bar, drink discounts and free club admissions.
More information on upcoming pub crawls and meeting points is available here.
Top 5 Happy Hours in BA
Doppelganger: This trendy San Telmo bar specializes in cocktails made from top quality spirits and liqueurs placing an emphasis on gins and vodkas. Their happy hour menu consists of 30 different drinks to choose from, their 2*1 promo allows customers to pick two different cocktails from the list! Happy Hour: Tue-Fri 7pm-9pm. Av. Juan de Garay 500, San Telmo. 4300-0201
Gran Bar Danzón: This trendy lounge bar offers a wonderful variety of wines and is usually full of people vouching for its quality and great atmosphere. Their wine happy hours, Mon-Fri from 7pm-9pm and Sat-Sun from 8pm-10pm present exciting new wines in the market and are a great way to try something new. Libertad 1161, Downtown. 4811-1108.
Hernán Gipponi: Fierro Hotel’s ground floor restaurant has recently incorporated a happy hour on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 6pm-8pm featuring Argentine inspired drinks (35 pesos x 2) and a savory selection of tapas (happy hour menu here). An added plus is the lovely garden where guests can sit in to enjoy cocktails and snacks. Soler 5862, Palermo Hollywood. 3220-6800. info@hgrestaurant.com.ar.
Le Bar: Set in an old downtown building, reminiscent of the cities golden years, and yet with a vibrant modern design, this four floor restaurant-bar with a terrace has become one of the city’s top places to go to. Their happy hour is held on weekdays from 6pm-10pm, and brings in a lot of nearby office-ers, and their special Thursday happy hour that runs on to 12pm is perfect for pre-party drinking. Tucuman 422, Downtown. 5219-0858. Open Mon-Sat from midday-2am.
Gibraltar: This popular English pub in the San Telmo area has great draught beer, delicious curries, and a friendly laid back atmosphere, important assets for a good happy hour. Their happy hour runs every day from 6pm-10pm and if you wish to stay on, the bar remains open well into the dawn. Peru 895, San Telmo. 4632-5310. Opening Hours: 6pm-4am.
Hernán Gipponi Lunch Menu and Happy Hour
Hernán Gipponi Restaurant, set in the ground floor of Fierro Hotel, has a lot of exciting news for 2012, starting with the new lunch menu consisting of a 5-course meal for 100 pesos or 150 pesos with drinks included. The restaurant has also incorporated a happy hour on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 6pm-8pm featuring Argentine inspired drinks (35pesos x 2) and a savory selection of tapas. (Happy Hour Menu here).
The restaurant has also recently undergone some redecorating and is now playing customized music by DJ Oliverio who has also put together a super cool podcast for our guests to download and take on their walks around town!
Soler 5862,
Palermo Hollywood.
3220-6800.
info@hgrestaurant.com.ar
Take it Outside
Warm summer afternoons and nights are perfect for outdoor socializing and what better than great drinks and breezy terraces or gardens to do so? Head to one of these city hot spots and quench your thirst for the seasons nighttime fun or afternoon lounging.
Ferona Club Social: This speakeasy is both a restaurant and a bar with various seating areas, quirky decor, D.J, and of course a lovely and popular terrace. If you’re looking for a house party feel and lively crowd then don’t miss out on this Palermo centered secret, which incidentally reopens today- the challenge is.. to find it!!
Milion: This beautiful French style 3 story house was discovered by its now owners in 1999. They immediately fell in love with the place and decided to restore it and give it back its splendor. Today, this lovely building is not only restored but also working as a swinging bar with plenty of seating space (although it is quickly taken), great cocktails, and a beautiful courtyard, ideal for summer days. The bar also has a restaurant but the food doesn’t really stand out so we recommend going for drinks. Paraná 1048, Recoleta. 4815-9925.
Congo: Congo Bar is one of the hottest nightspots in the Palermo scene and there is good reason for it. Trendy locals line up at the door well into the night, as is usual in the city, to trade the entrance fee for Congo currency which can then be exchanged for the first drink of the night. Once inside, the brown and beige leather interior serves as a backdrop for the beautiful men and women who either mill around the bar, are seated at one of the hard to get tables or are enjoying one of the famous “Bossa Nova” drinks in the garden, the Congo jewel. Honduras 5329, Palermo. 4833-5857
Sonoman: One of the first bars to open with the Palermo boom, Sonoman promises good music, outdoor and indoor bars and seating and a loyal upbeat crowd. They also serve food and we recommend to get there early for drinks and good seating. Fitz Roy 1655, Palermo. 4775-7179
Olsen: Although Olsen is more Scandinavian restaurant than bar, it is actually a great place to go for drinks as they have an incredible selection of international vodkas, great cocktails, and one of the best outdoor seating areas in the city complete with comfy backyard sofa-chairs. You might want to try some smorrebrod whilst you’re at it as well. Gorriti 5870, Palermo. 4776-7677. olsen@fibertel.com.ar
Beer Hotspots in the City
(Photo by jACK TWO. Nice Maradona detail on the left!)
Beer is not exactly what Argentina is known for, however on a hot summer day, a cold brew on a nice terrace is mandatory. If Quilmes doesn’t quite do it for you, then we suggest you try some of the following bars where draught, imported, and artisan beers can be found.
Gibraltar and Bangalore: If you’re looking for great draught beer, an even better environment, decent music, some curry and some spice, you will love both The Gibraltar in San Telmo and it’s sister Bangalore in Palermo! Go early if you want a table and enjoy either dinner or drinks in these all-time favorite pubs.
Geno Beer Bar: This beer bar in Palermo offers over 40 imported beers from around the world in a nice ambiance. They also serve deli sandwiches and a unique beer soup!
To try some Argentine artisan beer, Antares is the leading option. Antares is well known as they commercialize their beers around the country, and they host special activities including drinking games and the chance to watch the beer making process at their Buenos Aires venues. You can also taste some great Otro Mundo Argentine artisan beer at the Fierro hotel garden.
Other options in the city include the Dutch Van Koning in Cañitas which has a very good beer selection, and Irish pubs such as The Shamrock and Kilkenny, amongst others.
Bars of Buenos Aires: Congo
(Photo by viaje al fin de la noche)
Congo Bar is one of the hottest nightspots in the Palermo scene and there is good reason for it. Trendy locals line up at the door well into the night, as is usual in the city, to trade the entrance fee for Congo currency which can then be exchanged for the first drink of the night. Once inside, the brown and beige leather interior serves as a backdrop for the beautiful men and women who either mill around the bar, are seated at one of the hard to get tables or are enjoying one of the famous “Bossa Nova” drinks in the garden, the Congo jewel. Dinner is also served in this Palermo gem, and occasionally weekday parrilladas (barbeques) are organized. Definitely the place to go to if your looking for an “it” place with stylish and enthusiastic crowds.
Honduras 5329, Palermo
4833-5857
Whats up with Fernet?
(Vintage Fernet Branca add. Photo by stolen w-heels)
Those of you who have already gotten a taste of the local nightlife may have noticed the popularity of “Fernet con Coca”, a strange alcoholic beverage made up of, you guessed it, Fernet and Coke. If there is a classic nightlife Argie drink, then this is definitely it.
The origins of Fernet are unclear. Some say it was originally concocted by a Swedish doctor as a medicine for cholera, others rumor it was invented by an apothecary who was looking for a cure for menstrual cramps, and yet another theory (from an unreliable drunk source at a bar) states that it was prepared by an medicine woman in Sicily to expel demons from haunted widows. In any case, although the last theory sounds a bit dubious, we are almost certain Italian immigrants imported the beverage to Argentina.
Made of herbs and spices, there is a general consensus that the unique taste of Fernet is to be paired with Coke, and although many claim it to be an acquired taste, there are many more locals that love it. Our recommendation is to try it and see what its about. After all, even if you don’t like it it’s still a great digestive, and anyway, clubbing doesn’t start until 2-3am so there’s plenty of time to drink up!
Recommended Bar: Milion
(Photo by ComandZed)
This beautiful French style 3 story house was discovered by its now owners in 1999. They immediately fell in love with the place and decided to restore it and give it back its splendor. Today, this lovely building is not only restored but working as a swinging bar with plenty of seating space (although it is quickly taken), great cocktails, a beautiful courtyard and a restaurant. The stunning setting, the vibrant crowd, the music and the quality drinks make this bar well worth the visit.
Paraná 1048, Recoleta
4815-9925
Mate: A Community Tradition
(Photo by Evelyn Proimos)
A bitter beverage brewed from the leaves of the Yerba Mate has been circulating Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay from before the Colonization. Drinking mate has become a kept tradition of the Guarani Indians, carried out in a ritual and collective form.
Popular belief states that the Guaranies planted Yerba Mate on the burial sites of their loved ones. As the plant grew, they collected the leaves and brewed mate with it which they shared in a round with their families. It was their belief that the spirit of their deceased would grow with the plant and seep through the beverage into their own bodies. Many other legends exist around this infusion drank from a calabash gourd through a metal straw, but despite diferent versions it has allways been a tradition valuing the preservation of the culture and sharing amongst the community.
Throughout the colonization, the many cultural and social changes, and the large waves of immigration that the country has gone through, this custom has remained and has been adopted to a larger or lesser degree by all, having become a symbol of local identity and really keeping a piece of the Guarani alive. The mate culture has many peculiarities, such as considering the first fresh mate to be the “fools mate” because it is still too bitter. The custom of sharing mate in a round has also been kept and has made this drink more than just an antioxidant packed infusion. Rather, it is a tradition which brings people together to share a beautiful and ancient ritual that comes from the land.
Would you like to know how to brew your own mate? Click here.
