Each weekend, I am left staggered by Buenos Aires’ magnificent nightlife. The city swells with its plethora of restaurants, bars, clubs, galleries, theatres and live music spots. They pulsate, emitting beats which blend and synthesise, composing the rhythm of the noche porteña.
During the week, the atmosphere is slightly different. The detoxifying aftermath to a debauched weekend gradually blends into the calm before the storm, as Sunday rolls towards Thursday. Despite the abundance of venues in the city, locating the evening’s perfect diversion requires a little more effort during the working week.
Le Bar strives to provide a dynamic antidote to mid-week boredom. Described by entertainment organiser, Leandro Frias, as: “The musical kitchen of the city”, Le Bar dishes up outstanding quality performances every night of the week, served alongside an original food menu and exquisite cocktails. Unflaggingly stylish, the classy downtown haunt is housed in a colonial mansion, which contrasts beautifully with its sleek, cutting-edge interior design.
“There isn’t as much to choose from during the week in Buenos Aires”, explains Frias, who is super-suave, sporting a flat-cap and converse high-tops. He set up Le Bar’s Wednesday night live music offering, ‘Naranja Vivo’, in an attempt to “bring something new and different to a night which is often overlooked by clubs and bars”. Characterised by its eclectic spirit, ‘Naranja Vivo’ showcases everything from electronica to tango, from rock to jazz, from folk to dub.
“The key thing is that every band I invite generates a certain atmosphere. Le Bar is relaxed, it’s cool, and it has personality. The music must be no exception; it has to create the right onda.” He doesn’t say it in as many words, but I also receive the impression that such requirements extend to the musicians themselves, whose trendy attire seems flawlessly in tune with the voguish décor.
The four levels of this antique building are each completely individual. The ground floor is bathed in a seductive, dim glow and is elegantly designed, featuring teardrop lamps, lavish couches and classic prints. Tables are candle-lit and clustered around a small stage, which, along with Le Bar’s excellent table service, gives the place the feel of 1940s jazz-club: an intimate setting for weeknight live music.
The futuristic sunken tables of the modern, minimalist second floor are an ideal place to relax with friends, although they must be booked in advance. Carrying on up the spiral staircase, you are welcomed to Le Bar’s famous terrace by a breath of cool Buenos Aires night air, and witty wall illustrations by one of the city’s quirkiest artists, Pum Pum.
The setting is unpretentiously chic and undeniably impressive. The food and drink is even better. The tapas-based cuisine boasts a selection of Mediterranean treats, reflecting the background of the establishment’s three French owners. Main courses are all priced between $30 and $40. However, the house speciality is its cocktails. Classic mojitos sit on the drinks menu alongside unique and unusual concoctions of exotic liqueurs, fruit purées and the occasional sprinkling of chili pepper.
These delicacies form a delectable accompaniment to Le Bar’s outstanding musical agenda. In addition to the diverse mix of acts showcased at ‘Naranja Vivo’ each Wednesday, those with an appreciation of classical music can enjoy orchestral performances every Monday at ‘Clásica’. For a more upbeat evening of dance music, Tuesdays’ ‘+Biopolar’ offers “a perfectly balanced party atmosphere, for those who have had enough of post-weekend repose, but who are not quite ready to dance until 6am.”
For a taste of Thursday evenings at Le Bar, visit www.radioroyale.com.ar. This 24 hour radio show is an online project, hosted by DJ, Fabián Dellamónica, who spins an assortment of cha-cha-cha, Latin soul, samba, bossa-nova, film soundtracks, ska and funk. Every Thursday, he brings this musical mélange to Le Bar, from where he broadcasts, regularly welcoming onstage some of his favourite live acts.
Soaking up the musical artistry exhibited at each of these events, I really do feel that Le Bar has got it right. Their evenings are relaxing, yet dynamic. The acts are chosen meticulously, and Leandro Frias describes the dedicated team with whom he works to ensure that “the ambience is exactly what people want on a weeknight”. He gushes: “We want to keep it small, warm, yet buzzing with activity. This place is a house, and we’ve got to think about living together. What I mean is the kitchen, the bar and the music have to adapt to one another and work as a unit.”
Indeed, Le Bar seems to offer it all. Stepping into the building is like wandering around an impressive Parisian mansion which has been taken over by contemporary interior designers and upwardly-mobile graffiti artists. It evokes a space-age bordello with a superb menu, clever drinks and a vast back catalogue of musical performances. However, above all, Le Bar has paid attention to exactly what was lacking on the Buenos Aires weeknight circuit. Frias enthuses: “Between Monday and Thursday, people can now enjoy something with personality.” It is clear that every facet of the kitchen, bar, music and design adheres to this, affirming that: “This is not a restaurant and it’s not a concert. It’s an experience.”
Le Bar is in Microcentro on Tucumán 422. It is open Monday through Saturday from mid day until 2am. Entrance is always free.
Monday evening’s ‘Clásica’ begins at 8.30pm; Tuesday’s ‘+Bipolar’ at 9pm; ‘Naranja Vivo’ at 10pm on a Wednesday; as is Thursday’s ‘Radio Royale’. Le Bar also holds events every weekend.
For more information, visit www.lebarbuenosaires.blogspot.com/, and to make a reservation, call 5219-0858.
