Argentina has a drinking culture as diverse as its landscapes. You might start the day sharing mate with friends, sit down for lunch with a glass of Malbec, and end the night exploring some of the best bars in Buenos Aires. Each drink tells something about the country: mate as the symbol of togetherness, wine as a proud reflection of Argentine terroir, and cocktails as proof of how creative the city’s bartenders have become.
In Buenos Aires especially, drinks are part of the rhythm of daily life. Cafés, wine bars, and cocktail bars in Buenos Aires mix locals and travelers alike, offering everything from traditional Argentine drinks like Fernet con Coca to signature creations you’ll only find here. And while nightlife often steals the spotlight, the culture goes far beyond: it’s about sharing, tasting, and discovering new flavors at any time of day.
This guide walks you through the essentials of Argentine drinks, from the classics every visitor should try to the best bars where the city’s energy comes alive.
But if you want to experience it all in a single night, that is exactly what we do at The Argentine Experience. We wanted to go beyond just pouring you a glass, so we designed a journey through our culinary and liquid history. During our dinner, we guide you through 5 different Argentine wines, introducing you to the grapes that thrive in our soil. At our cooking class, we even teach you the art of preparing your own vermouth: a beloved local ritual that has made a massive comeback.
Traditional Argentine Drinks You Can’t Miss
Argentina’s drinking culture goes far beyond what you’ll find at the bar. Some of the most iconic flavors are part of daily life, family gatherings, and traditions passed down for generations. Here are the essentials to understand (and taste) when exploring Argentine drinks.
Mate: The Everyday Ritual
Mate is the heartbeat of Argentine social life. Made from the dried leaves of yerba mate and sipped through a bombilla (metal straw), this infusion is shared at any time of day.
If i have to be honest, the flavor is intense, herbal, and bitter. It is definitely an acquired taste (don’t say i didn’t warn you!). But for us Argentines, it is the fuel for late-night study sessions, sunny afternoons in the park, and long gossip sessions (my favorite one). Once you join a circle, you are part of the family.
Traditionally, the gourd cup is passed around and everyone shares the same straw, a custom that often surprises our guests! However, at The Argentine Experience, we do things a bit differently so you can truly master the technique yourself. We close our evening with this sacred ritual, but instead of just watching, you get involved.
We guide you step-by-step through the preparation, proving that what looks simple actually requires a bit of local know-how. And because the bitterness begs for something sweet, we pair your freshly brewed mate with the alfajores de maicena you make. It is the perfect balance of flavors and the ultimate way to end the night like a true local.
Malbec and Argentine Wine
Wine in Argentina is serious business, and the map goes way beyond just Mendoza. While Malbec from Mendoza has undeniably become our international star, celebrated for its smooth texture and deep flavor, true wine curiosity will lead you to the Patagonia, San Juan, Córdoba and of course, up north to Salta. This high-altitude region is the proud home of Torrontés, Argentina’s very own native white grape, famous for its crisp, floral, and incredibly refreshing profile.
But clearly reading and tasting how wine actually transforms a meal are two different things… At The Argentine Experience, we believe that a great dinner should be a complete culinary journey. That is why, throughout the night, we pour five carefully selected wines for you to taste. It ranges from crisp whites and robust reds to our signature Torrontés, a classic Malbec, and even a unique, less-filtered wine.
As we pour, we share the fascinating history and stories behind every single bottle. And we promise, there is zero wine-snobbery at our table! However, there is a deep meticulousness in how we design our menu. We firmly believe that certain flavors are simply meant to go together. Each of the five wines finds its exact place alongside the specific dish it accompanies, meant to highlight and elevate the food. Everything is thoughtfully planned behind the scenes so that you can simply sit back, sip, and experience how the right pairing takes a great meal to a completely different level.
Fernet con Coca
Originally an Italian digestive bitter, Fernet found its true second home in Argentina, where we completely reinvented its purpose. We took a traditional, stomach-settling herbal liqueur and transformed it into the ultimate pre-party cocktail.
Mixed with a heavy pour of Coca-Cola and lots of ice, it is THE Argentine drink, especially in the province of Córdoba, its capital. Want a fun fact? There is the “el viajero” (the traveler): a Fernet boldly mixed in a halved plastic soda bottle, meant to be passed around among friends on the walk to the club. It’s messy, highly communal, and unapologetically Argentine.
Let’s be clear: because of its intensely bitter, medicinal flavor and its heavy association with la previa (the pre-party), late-night clubs, and casual hangouts, Fernet is definitely not a dinner drink. That is exactly why you won’t find it on the menu.
However, your trip simply isn’t complete without tasting it. Once our dinner wraps up, if you plan on hitting a local cocktail bar or exploring the city’s famous nightlife, ordering a classic “Fernet con Coca” is a must-do.
Vermouth con Soda: The Classic Porteño Aperitif
If you want to drink like a true local before a meal, you need to know about Vermouth. While it is experiencing a massive revival worldwide right now, vermut has always been an absolute, undisputed classic of Buenos Aires.
Because it has a very low alcohol content, this isn’t a drink you order for a wild night out; it is all about meticulously savoring the complex, botanical flavors and opening up your appetite before a great meal. In Buenos Aires, the traditional way to serve it is over plenty of ice, topped with a splash of soda water, garnished with a slice of orange or lemon, and finished with a fresh sprig of rosemary.
Now, I will let you in on a little personal secret: I actually prefer mixing mine with grapefruit juice! It gives it a fantastic citrusy kick. But if you want to experience the authentic local tradition exactly how it is served in the historic cafés of the city, soda water is the way to go.
We love this ritual so much that it is the very first thing you experience when you join our daytime Cooking Class. To reward your culinary curiosity the moment you walk through our doors, we welcome you with a beautiful picada (a curated selection of local cheeses) and teach you exactly how to prepare your own perfect glass of vermut. It is a relaxing ice-breaker before we roll up our sleeves and start cooking!
Where to Drink in Buenos Aires?
Buenos Aires is a city of neighborhoods, and each one comes with its own way of drinking. Palermo is all about experimental cocktail culture, San Telmo keeps it bohemian with historic bars and tango vibes, Recoleta feels more polished with wine-driven spots, and Puerto Madero adds sleek, international flair by the water. Wherever you go, the city’s best bars mix atmosphere and flavor in equal measure.
Now, if you’re looking for names you can’t miss, here are some of the best bars in Buenos Aires, where Argentine creativity meets world-class mixology.
Best Cocktail Bars in Buenos Aires
Cochinchina
Run by celebrated bartender Inés de los Santos, Cochinchina brings Parisian elegance to Palermo. The cocktails lean on botanicals and seasonal ingredients, making it one of the best cocktail bars in Buenos Aires if you like drinks that are as beautiful as they are flavorful.
Tres Monos
This small, unpretentious spot is a favorite among bartenders themselves. Always buzzing, with inventive drinks and a laid-back vibe, Tres Monos feels like the city’s creative lab for cocktail culture.
La Uat
In Palermo, La Uat Bar has quickly earned a reputation for creativity. Forget the predictable classics, this is a place where bartenders treat cocktails as small works of art. Drinks often surprise with unexpected pairings and playful presentation, while still feeling approachable. I find it one of the most original cocktail bars in Buenos Aires, a spot where you go not just to drink but to discover.
Bar El Limón
If you’re exploring the best cocktail bars in Buenos Aires, El Limón is a stand out for its brightness (yes, the name fits) and friendly vibes. It isn’t the kind of place prioritizing sleek darkness or whispery exclusivity, it’s more about relaxed afternoons turning into lively evenings. The crowd tends to be varied: locals who come for good cocktails, small groups stopping by after dinner, and even folks on casual nights wanting something fun but not flashy.
What i praise most is its creativity. They don’t shy away from colorful ingredients and bartenders seem willing to experiment. Several reviewers mention that drinks there feel fresh, not over-engineered, and you often get unexpected flavor twists. The service is warm, and the atmosphere lets you talk, laugh, discover new drinks without feeling like you stepped into a performance.
More of a wine lover? I’ve got you covered! Check the Best Wine Bars in Buenos aires.
The Argentine Experience: Try It All at Once
If exploring every corner of the city feels overwhelming, there’s one place where you can taste the best of Argentina in a single evening. The Argentine Experience offers a curated multi-course dinner that blends iconic dishes with carefully paired drinks in Buenos Aires. Think empanadas you’ll fold yourself, premium cuts from the asado tradition, and sweet endings with dulce de leche, all matched with Argentine wine..
Beyond the food, the night includes a short mate class, where you’ll learn how to prepare and share Argentina’s most traditional drink. It’s a full tour of the country’s flavors without leaving the table.
The atmosphere feels more like a lively dinner party than a formal restaurant, yet without losing its quality or attention to detail. It’s the kind of place where you can relax, laugh, and connect with people from around the world. A shortcut to discovering not just what Argentines eat and drink, but how they enjoy it together.
📲 Ready to sip, taste, and experience it all? Book your spot at The Argentine Experience
Wrapping Up Your Drinking Journey
From mate to Malbec, Fernet to signature cocktails, Argentina’s drinking culture is as diverse as its food. Buenos Aires is the heart of it all: buzzing cocktail bars, cozy wine spots, and timeless neighborhood favorites make every sip part of the city’s rhythm.
If you want to experience it all in one evening, The Argentine Experience is your best shortcut: a multi-course dinner paired with local wines, and even a mate class, all shared in a warm and lively setting.
And if you’re hungry for more, don’t miss our recommendations on Argentine food, where we dive into the dishes that complete the picture, and our curated guide to Food in Buenos Aires, an inside look at the gastronomic culture of our capital city.