Buenos Aires

The citizens of Buenos Aires seem unusually relaxed about matters of the heart. Gays here are — like the city itself — sexy and sophisticated.

Buenos Aires, where civil unions have been legal for gay couples since 2003, has long been at the forefront of gay rights in South America. In 2010, the country passed same-sex marriage, making it the first country in the region to do so.

Oddly enough, there isn’t just one gay neighborhood in Buenos Aires. Political change came so fast that there wasn’t time. Today you find gays living in almost every part of the city, rubbing elbows with their straight neighbors.

“If you want to go dancing, you don’t need to go to the gay disco,” one local says. “You can go to any disco and you will find gays there. We didn’t need to create ghettos to feel free or to be what we are.”

 

Getting here

International flights arrive at Aeropuerto Internacional Ministro Pistarini de Ezeiza, located about 29 miles west of downtown. There are shuttle buses and taxis waiting to whisk you downtown.

 

Getting around

The city’s subway, called the Subte, is quick and convenient. Singe-ride tickets costing less than a dollar get you anywhere in the system. Taxis are always available and are surprisingly affordable.

 

Neighborhoods

Buenos Aires has no gay neighborhood, but you’ll spot many gays strolling through many of the city’s upscale enclaves, including Palermo, Recoleta, and Barrio Norte. The historic San Telmo district is a magnet for gay couples looking to nest.

 

Media and resources

Pink Point has English language gay Buenos Aires information for tourists. AGMagazine has gay news and listings for all of Argentina. TheGayGuide is a useful website too. The official Buenos Aires tourist website is at BuenosAiresTurismo. For package trips check out Club Zoom.

GayMaps 360 has free maps of gay Buenos Aires, found around the city at clubs and hotels. Their website has a nice map of the city, with fairly well updated listings.

 

Currency and Money

The Argentine peso is the local currency. ATMs are a common sight downtown, so there’s no need to carry lots of cash.

 

Nightlife - bars

Bach Bar (Cabrera 4390, Palermo) long-time gay favorite of 19 years, women's nights, drag shows, cabaret and comedy nights.

Casa Brandon (Luis María Drago, 236), something for everyone with restaurant, movies, books, art events and performances, open daily to 2am, Saturdays until 4am.

Buenos Aires Club (Perú 571) Tango Queer classes, open to anyone, take place here each Tuesday at 8:30pm, both roles are taught. See details of the International Queer Tango in events listings.

Bulnes Class (Bulnes 1250, Palermo) bar and lounge, mostly men, well-heeled crowd.

Contramano (Rodríguez Peña 1082, Recoleta) men's bar, bears, older crowd and their younger friends.

Flux (Marcelo T. De Alvear 980, Center) lounge bar, popular with expats, men, women all ages 18+ crowd, break the ice on arrival at happy hours from 7pm, earliest in city.

Gout Cafe (Juncal 2124, Recoleta), cafe, patisserie, and bistro bar, known for their desserts

Inside (Bartolome Mitre 1571, Center), restaurant and bar nightly from 7pm, weekend stripper shows.

Kim y Novak (Güemes 4900, Palermo), young artsy crowd, in old red-light district.

Km Zero Bar (Av. Santa Fe 2516, Recoleta) small popular every-man bar, drag and stripper shows, then dancing; tourists and locals.

Men2Men Bar (Anchorena 1347, Ricoleta) men's cruise bar, raunchy stripper shows, elaborate drag.

Mundo Bizarro (Serrano 1222, Palermo), gay-friendly retro (40-50's) cocktail lounge, unusual music, visuals mix; burgers, sushi and Mexican food.

Niceto Club (Niceto Vega 5510, Palermo), gay-friendly lounge and dance club, DJs, multi-media shows, singers, live bands.

Zoom (Uriburu 1018, Recoleta), men's sex club,  bar and lounge, maze, cablins with glory holes, open 24/7.

 

Nightlife - dance clubs

Amber La Fox at Roxy Club (Av Sarmiento at Av. Casares by the tracks), Thursday and Friday nights, young mixed high-energy crowd, dancing, shows, wild performances, wide variety of music.

Amerika (Gascon 1040, Almagro), the big gay dance club, Thursdays through Sundays, different music on each of three dance floors, chill-out lounge, good mix of all ages 18+ especially on Saturdays.

Angels (Viamonte 2168), intimate dance floors, weekends midnight to 7am, electronica, Latin & pop music varieties, mostly gay men, all are welcome.

Glam Disco (Cabrera 3046, Recoleta) small dance boite with crush of hot and sweaty young guys downstairs, chill-out lounge upstairs.

Human (Av Rafael Obligado Costanera 1426, Costanera) trendy dance club at the shores of Rio de la Plata.

La Marshall, gay Tango classes and dances: Wednesdays at Club Independencia (Independencia 572), and Fridays (Riobamba 416).

Pacha (Av Rafael Obligado Costanera 6151, Costanera), gay Saturdays, big concept dance club, from Ibiza to the world.

Palacio Alsina (Alsina 940, Monserrat), gay late night Friday and Sunday disco on three levels, handsome men, big crowd.

Sitges (Av, Córdoba 4119, Palermo) popular club, dancing until 5am Fridays and Saturdays, free pizza or pasta Wednesdays, strippers, drag shows, and game nights.

Sub Club (Av. Cordoba 543, Center) gay Saturday disco, young crowd, mostly guys.

 

Rosario

Gotika City Club (Mitre 1539; Gotikacityclub.com.ar) to the north of Buenos Aires, stylish building, chic and beautiful crowd; full schedule of fiestas and shows includes skate night.

 

Saunas and sex

Anchorena (Anchorena 1121, Recoleta) 5th floor swingers sex club, daily 8pm to 4am, all genders and orientations, heated pool, rooftop deck; casual vibe, watch, play, or snooze.

AquaMan (Maipu 1282), earlier crowd from noon, dry and steam saunas, whirlpool, massages, refreshments, free internet, bar with food.

Energy Spa (Bravard 1105), big, modern and clean, steam, two dry saunas, plunge pool, Jacuzzi, porn cinema, dark room, bar with snacks.

Homo Sapiens (Gsscon 956) get warmed up here next to the big dance club Amerika; bar and dance floor, cruise cabins, sauna, open until midnight.

Nagasaki (Auero 427, Rosario) bright, spacious, modern new facility with dry and steam saunas, massage services, bar, cafeteria, "relax room" and internet access. Check their young guy and buddy discounts online.

Unikus (Av. Pueyrredon 1180) smaller sauna, dry and steam, older crowd, bar with light meals, dark room, cabins, porn cinema - daily until 3am.

To be pampered, see Markus (Avenida Callao 1046), men's day spa for stress relief, with facials, body massage, thermal baths, and aromatherapy.

 

For Restaurants and Lodgings suggestions see our maps and listings tab above. Lodginnargentina.com has apartment and house listings for one night or long-term rentals.