Speakeasies: the hidden bars of Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is known for its great nightlife, full of restaurants, bars and fun people. Without a doubt, the city comes alive at night if you know where to look...that's why we want to offer you a list of some "hidden" places to add some extra fun to your night adventures!

"Speakeasy" was a term used for hidden bars and pubs during the prohibitions days back in the 1920's and early 1930's in the United States (especially in cities like New York or Chicago), since it was not allowed to sell alcohol to the public, some bar owners got creative and these peculiar places were created. To enter you needed a "password" and most of the times, these bars were located in basements or in places not reminiscent of a bar at all! These gansters-styled places are long gone, but nowayds there is something fun about the idea of going to a bar only a "select few" can enter (if you know your password!)

Let us name you a few cool places you would like to visit:

Floreria El Atlantico

Listed 3rd on the "best 50 bars in the world" in 2019 Floreria is located in a beautiful French-styled street (Arroyo 872), this flower shop is open at night! Weird right? not really, everything here is well thought and it seems to work like a charm. At first glance it looks like a beautiful store, but a cool bar and restaurant are hidden downstairs. 

Getting a table is always recommended with a previous reservation Especially on weekends because this little bar gets packed! It also features a winery, if flowers is not the only thing you want to purchase!

We recommend you have the gin and tonic with yerba mate (yes you read just right…mate!) and the Negroni, two classics and a must at Floreria. When it comes to food, the rabit terrine and the organic polenta with sea food stew are great choices! If you have a sweet tooth, you'll love the chocomisu (a twist to the famous tiramisu)

As we said before, the bar is quite small but extremely popular for locals and visitors alike, so much, is listed among the best 50 bars in the world! 

Another great thing about it, is that the bar is walking distance from our Hotel, less than 10 minutes away!

So bottoms up! but before, smell the roses...

The hidden bar at Floreria Atlantico

The flower shop and winery at Floreria

Address: Arroyo St. 872

Web Site: http://floreriaatlantico.com.ar/

Price Range: $$$ - $$$$ (Average +$1500 ARS per person)

Reservations: (+5411)  4313-5093

All mayor credit card accepted

Business Hours: Monday to Wenesday: 6PM – 1:30 AM, Thrusday: 6PM – 2AM, Friday: 6PM – 3:30AM, Saturday: 7PM – 3:30AM, Sunday: 7PM – 1:30 AM.

Frank's Bar

To enter this bar you need a password, but hey! not to worry, the password is updated and shared every week on their Facebook page! Once you get there, a security guard will ask you for the password AND he will give you a second numeric password to enter to the actual bar (you have to enter the code inside a phone booth) How cool is that, very Maxwell Smart if you ask us!

The elegant bar at Frank's

The famous phone booth, where you need a code in order to access the bar

You can have dinner and drinks here, but their drinks menu is all based in the golden age of cocktails, with no artificial sweeteners and only in season fruits are used for their creations. Don't miss your chance to feel like a spy and get your password!

Address: Arevalo St. 1443

Web Site and Reservations: https://franks-bar.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Franksbar.ar

Price Range: $$$ - $$$$ (Average +$1000 ARS per person)

All mayor credit card accepted

Business Hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays: 9PM – 3AM, Sundays and Mondays: Closed

Victoria Brown

If you walk pass though this bar, chances are you will never guess that behind the tiny café on its front, you will find one of the biggest Speakeasies in town. 

Named after the Queen Victoria (a hint would be the huge mural of the outside) this hidden bar is set to be in the Victorian era, with lots of bricks and “machinery” on sight, reminds us of the Industrial period.

You can have dinner, an appetizer or just drinks (we suggest going for drinks after dinner) They offer a vast menu at the bar with cool drinks, specially gins, rums and vodkas.

Their amazing "industrial" looking bar

The outside, the a mural of Queen Victoria

Address: Costa Rica 4827

Web Site and Reservations: http://victoriabrownbar.com/ 

Price Range: $$$ - $$$$ (Average +$1000 - 1500 ARS per person)

All mayor credit card accepted

Business Hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays: 8PM – 4AM, Sundays and Mondays: Closed

Uptown Bar

New York is always a cool and fun city to visit, and now you can do it from Buenos Aires! At first, from the outside, it looks like an unmarked subway station set in NYC, once you go in, you have to "board" a subway car in order to access the bar and restaurant (If you want to have dinner, you have to make a previous reservation)

The subway corridor leading to the bar

All abord! the "entrance" to the bar

Each week guest DJ's will set the mood with great music in this cool bar styled like a truly subway station in Manhattan! The restaurant and drinks menu are also inspired by this great city.

Address: Arevalo 2030

Web Site and Reservations: http://www.uptownba.com/

Price Range: $$$ - $$$$ (Average +$1000 - 1500 ARS per person)

All mayor credit card accepted

Business Hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays: 8PM – 3AM. Sundays and Mondays: Closed

878

A hidden bar to many, from outside nothing declares this is a bar, set in an old house with no markins, (only the number 878 on its door) is already a classic when it comes to "secret" bars

A nice "rustic" in style place, this is a perfect spot to go on a date or friends. One of things this bar is also known for, is their amazing bar, with tons of drinks to choose from

Casual and relaxed atmosphere at 878

The great bar at 878

You can also enjoy a nice dinner here  if you want to as well, this still is one of the first speakeasies in town and it is worth visiting!

Address: Thames 878

Web Site and Reservations: https://878bar.com.ar/

Price Range: $$$ - $$$$ (Average +$1000 - 1500 ARS per person)

All mayor credit card accepted

Business Hours: Mondays to Sundays: 8PM - 3AM