We all want to discover something new or see something others don’t, which is why hidden bars in Buenos Aires—and everywhere else—are all the rage. But there are many articles that tempt you with them when in reality they show you restaurants or bars that are beautiful, but have nothing “hidden” about them. That’s why we put together this list of the best and true speakeasy bars in Buenos Aires—or in local slang, the real and best hidden bars in Buenos Aires. Truly hidden and secret, and the best.
Florería Atlántico is a bar that isn’t in plain sight, which is why it’s the quintessential speakeasy or hidden bar in Buenos Aires. Add to that the fact that it’s on Arroyo Street, one of the three most beautiful streets in Buenos Aires.
As the name suggests, on Arroyo Street you’ll see a beautiful flower shop. Go in, buy some flowers, and while you’re there, tell the saleswoman you want to go to the bar. She’ll open a huge door that looks like it leads to the storage room or fridge where they keep their beautiful flowers, but it doesn’t. You’ll go down a staircase to enter one of the best cocktail bars in Latin America and one of the best hidden bars in Buenos Aires
⏰Open daily from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.
La Calle
It’s ironic that this hidden bar in Buenos Aires is called La Calle because it doesn’t actually face the street. To discover La Calle, you have to go to the pizzeria La Guitarrita and ask for the bar—which, in reality, feels more like a speakeasy than a traditional bar. Signature cocktails and the feeling of being in a well-kept secret known only to a select few are what you’ll experience when you visit La Calle.
⏰Open every day from 8 p.m.
Victoria Brown is a well-known speakeasy and undoubtedly one of the best hidden bars in Buenos Aires thanks to its atmosphere and secrecy. At Victoria Brown, you’ll feel like you ’re in 1920s New York. Its vintage decor and exclusive drink menu in an intimate and elegant setting make it ideal for all kinds of gatherings, especially clandestine meetups and romantic dates in Buenos Aires.
⏰Open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 p.m.
Luzmala
In the heart of Palermo Soho, Luzmala hides behind the facade of an abandoned warehouse. This speakeasy offers a unique experience with its selection of creative cocktails and its clandestine atmosphere that will make you feel like you’re in a Prohibition-era movie.
⏰Open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Puerta Uno
Puerta Uno is one of the hidden bars in Buenos Aires that best combines the tradition of speakeasies with a contemporary touch. Its entrance is very discreet—basically a door that doesn’t look like much—but once inside, you won’t know where to look. Elegant, sophisticated. A great hidden bar for an excellent night of drinks.
⏰Open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 p.m.
Uptown BA is one of the best bars in Palermo and one of the most iconic speakeasy bars in Buenos Aires. Why? Because to get in, you first have to walk through a New York subway car, in a space that’s a carbon copy of a New York subway station.
This aesthetic is what makes it one of the best hidden bars in Buenos Aires, very much in the Bronx style .
⏰Open Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30 p.m.
Bar 878
Bar 878 is a clandestine hideaway where high-quality mixology meets an intimate atmosphere. It was one of the first hidden bars in Buenos Aires and has managed to endure despite the arrival of new speakeasy bars in the city. Its cocktail menu and selection of whiskeys make this place a must-visit for lovers of hidden bars.
⏰Open Tuesday through Sunday from 7 p.m.
It’s a hidden bar accessible only by membership. You’ll find cocktails, jazz theme nights, tarot readings, excellent drinks, and a great party atmosphere. It’s highly exclusive and members-only, so you might have to wait a long time for a response regarding membership. If you want to try, you can apply on the Purgatorio Club website.
It’s in Villa Luro, and you can only enter this hidden bar with a reservation—but it’s also a members-only speakeasy. In other words, it’s for members only. The atmosphere is incredibly sensual and sophisticated. It’s inspired by the Dead Poets Society, that secret place where book lovers used to gather. Its drink menu obviously references great literary authors and some of the best books in history.
IG @thebook.bar
Sawyer Institute
In Palermo, the Sawyer Institute has opened, a bar hidden behind a white door that offers a direct journey into madness. The inspiration comes from a true story: that of a doctor who managed to have eight healthy people admitted to a psychiatric hospital… and they were never able to leave.
When you walk through the white door of the David Sawyer Institute, you’ll find yourself in a surprising room, where the ceiling is equipped with the same lighting technology as the famous Las Vegas dome.
The experience includes a multi-course menu, signature cocktails at an impressive bar, and original desserts designed to round out the dining experience. But that’s not all: after dinner, the bar transforms into a nightclub and the party continues until 4 a.m.
