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World Travel Guide > Guides > South America > Chile > Santiago

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Santiago Nightlife

Most of Santiago's nightlife spots are located outside the downtown area. The Bellavista district is home to most of the buzzing bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Its main drag is Calle Pío Nono. Less discovered but perhaps more genuine is the area around Barrio Brasil, an old part of town. Meanwhile, the tidy middle-class district of Ñuñoa is gaining in popularity as a place for a night out among those disaffected by the kitsch of Bellavista. The best bars cluster around Plaza Ñuñoa.

For an extensive list of Santiago's pubs and clubs, visit www.pubs.cl.

Good sources of information are the Tiempo Libre supplement of the El Mercurio newspaper (www.emol.com), the Cultura section of La Tercera (www.tercera.cl) and the Santiago Times (www.santiagotimes.cl).

Bars in Santiago

Bar Dos Gardenias

You are never short of bar options in Bellavista, but one of the most welcoming options is Bar Dos Gardenias, which has regular salsa nights. It opened in 2004 (and named after the Buena Vista Social Club number) and has regular live music. It's open until at least 0130 from Monday to Saturday, and closed Sunday. It serves bar snacks such as pizzas, and a charcuterie selection.

Address: , Antonia López de Bello 199, Santiago,
Telephone: +569 5648 7742.
Website: http://www.bardosgardenias.cl

Flannery's Irish Geo Pub

Perhaps the biggest magnet for overseas visitors is Flannery's Irish Geo Pub, in the financial district of Las Condes, where sports coverage and proper pints of Guinness draw large crowds. It's open until late everyday and serves typical Irish bar snacks alongside more international cuisine. St Patricks Day is, obviously, huge, but it also throws itself into any other festivity with gusto.

Address: , Encomenderos 83, Santiago,
Telephone: +562 2233 6675.
Website: http://www.flannerys.cl

La Piojera

For the most atmospheric tipple in Santiago, head to the central La Piojera, a traditional beer hall-style drinking den, where carousing and high spirits flow at most hours. Behind an unassuming entrance is an even more unassuming bar, but one brimming with beer, folklore music and good times. It's a Santiago institution and an unmissable place.

Address: , Aillavilú 1030, Santiago,
Telephone: +562 2698 1682.
Website: http://www.lapiojera.cl

Clubs in Santiago

Bar Constitucion

Probably the coolest place in Santiago and one that's suitably understated, with exposed brick walls and no sign outside. There's something on almost every night of the week at this Providencia venue. It only opened in 2008 and was started as a restaurant, but now its best known for its live music, cocktails and DJ roster. It also hosts artists and avant-garde evenings.

Address: , Constitucion 62, Providencia, Santiago,
Telephone: +569 7569 8110.

Blondie

One club that is continues to remain popular is Blondie, in Barrio Brasil, an indie and alternative haunt for many a year. Every week there's an indie party while weekends are often reserved for goth or guilty pleasure type nights. There's a good programme of live music too that has included Franz Ferdinand and The Human League in the past.

Address: , Avenida Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins 2879, Chile,
Telephone: +569 4527 4614.
Website: http://www.blondie.cl

Subterraneo

Subterraneo is a well-heeled club in Providencia featuring some reasonable DJs. It has a fascinating range of events showing some of the most cutting edge acts in Latin America. It's a big industrial space – perfect for the kind of acts who play there. Visit the website for what's on listings.

Address: , Paseo Orrego Luco 46, Santiago,
Telephone: +562 2334 7148.
Website: http://www.subterraneo.cl

Live music in Santiago

Estadio Nacional

Santiago has a thriving live music scene, running the gamut of sounds from stadium rock to more intimate Latin American bolero. Most big acts perform at the Estadio Nacional (National Stadium). Acts such as Muse, Madonna and Lady Gaga have seen crowds of 40,000 singing along. There are also classical music events too.

Address: , Avenida Grecia 2001, Santiago,
Telephone: +562 2238 8102.
Website: http://www.anfp.cl

La Chiminea

For more than 50 years, La Chiminea has been loved as an atmospheric venue tucked down a quiet alley. It has a small stage with quality live acts most nights, most often folklore music, but also hosts touring musicians from Argentina and farther afield. It's also a place to sit down and eat before the show and there's a good selection of beers too.

Address: , Principe de Gales 90, Santiago,
Telephone: +562 2697 0131.
Website: http://www.lachimenea.cl

Santiago Jazz Club

Since 1943, jazz fans have made the pilgrimage to the Santiago Jazz Club in Ñuñoa. Over the years it has seen Herbie Hancock, Louis Armstrong and Billy Cobham tread its boards. Depending on the night, you'll be able to hear all kinds of jazz from ragtime to free jazz and many concerts open with a jam session.

Address: , Avenida José Pedro Alessandri 85, Santiago,
Telephone: +562 2830 6294.
Website: http://www.clubdejazz.cl

Classical music in Santiago

Dance in Santiago

Theatres in Santiago

Music and Dance in Santiago

Culture in Santiago

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W Santiago

Starwood Hotel's W chain has landed in Santiago, with a blaze of imaginative lighting, colourful fittings and quirky furnishings. Compared with many of the W hotels around the world, this is tempered slightly by Chile's conservative tastes – no bad thing. The 168 rooms are well appointed. The level of service is unsurprisingly high. The rooftop pool is an interesting place to spend a few hours relaxing, and the bar is excellent.

NOI Vitacura

Overlooking the Parque Metropolitano de Santiago, NOI Vitacura provides a sanctuary from the urban bustle of the capital. This sleek high-rise hotel oozes style through its contemporary design and sophisticated suites. The rooftop terrace offers a late night bar, pool and unbeatable views of the Andes on a clear day.

ChilHotel

Perhaps the most sensible option of any of the these listings, ChilHotel is practical, comfortable and affordable. On a quiet street within easy walking distance of the Metro in Providencia, it is the sort of place you would be happy to put your parents on a visit to the city with its good-value rooms (although some err on the small side) and polite service.

Hotel Foresta

This beautifully located hotel (right by Cerro Santa Lucía) has been around for a while. It has kept its old style, which means it is chock full of character, although sometimes this spills over into a slightly cluttered feel. However, the service is very attentive and with the arty district of Lastarria right next door, it is one of the best and most affordable options in town.

Ritz Carlton

Setting the standard for hotel opulence in Santiago, this is where the service is impeccable, Egyptian sheets adorn your bed and there is just about every luxury you could possibly desire within the hotel's walls. Gyms, swimming pools, three restaurants and an internationally renowned sommelier are all available to those lucky enough to stay here.

Happy House Hostel

A superb, ambitious renovation makes this colourful converted Barrio Brasil mansion the place to head to satisfy your old bohemian instincts - even though you now have more cash in your pockets. With everything from a games room to a delightful patio with views right over the city, this lovely relaxed place is for former backpackers who can afford to indulge themselves a bit more.