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
