Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 4342-4328;
www.cafetortoni.com.ar
;
Av de Mayo 829)
BA's oldest and most famous cafe,
the classic Tortoni has become so popular with foreigners that it's turned into a tourist
trap. Still, it's practically an obligatory stop for any visitor to town: order a couple of
churros
(fried pastry dough) with your hot chocolate and forget about the inflated prices.
There are also tango shows nightly (AR$150 to AR$200) - reserve ahead.
London City
CAFE
( 4343-0328; Av de Mayo 599)
This classy and historic cafe (being remodelled at re-
search time) has been serving java enthusiasts for over 50 years, and claims to have been
the spot where Julio Cortázar wrote his first novel. Your hardest work here, however, will
most likely be choosing which pastry to try with your fresh cup of coffee.
Bahrein
CLUB
( 6225-2731;
www.bahreinba.com
; Lavalle 345; Wed, Fri & Sat)
Attracting a good share of
BA's tattooed youth, Bahrein is a hugely popular downtown club housed in an old bank
(check out the 'vault' in the basement). On the ground floor is the lounge-like Funky
Room where resident DJs spin house music and electronica. Downstairs is the happening
Xss discotheque, an impressive sound system and a dance floor for hundreds.
Congreso
Café de los Angelitos
CAFE
( 4314-1121; Av Rivadavia 2100; 8am-midnight)
Originally called Bar Rivadavia, this
cafe was once the haunt of poets, musicians, even criminals, which is why a police com-
missioner jokingly called it '
los angelitos'
(the angels) in the early 1900s. Recently re-
stored to its former glory, this historic cafe is now an elegant hangout for coffee or tea; it
also puts on tango shows in the evening.
Clásica y Moderna
CAFE
( 4812-8707;
www.clasicaymoderna.com
; Av Callao 892; 8am-2am Mon-Sat, 5pm-2am Sun)
Catering to the literary masses since 1938, this cozy and intimate bookstore-restaurant-
cafe continues to ooze history from its atmospheric brick walls. It's nicely lit, serves fine,
simple meals and offers nightly live performances of folk music, jazz, bossa nova and
