At the end of our first day in Buenos Aires (when we finally came-to post-nap) Dan and I caught a cab out to the Palermo district for some dinner, drinks, and hopefully shenanigans. But let's be honest . . . we were so groggy and cranky, we were lucky just to make it to dinner and drinks without falling over.
It's a shame, because Palermo is one of the trendiest (but ironically older) neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, and it is all about nightlife. (Rich tourists shopping and "cafe-ing" by day, dudes/girls in short skirts looking to get laid by night.)
The Palermo District
Palermo breaks out into a few different neighborhoods--Palermo Viejo, Palermo Soho, and Palermo Hollywood. Palermo Viejo is the oldest part, and is where all the Porteño grannies lived back in the day. (Our host was lamenting over the beautiful streets 'where her grandma lived' that have been taken over by real estate companies and rich folk. Sounds a lot like some place I know . . . . ahem . . . San Francisco . . )
Palermo reminded me a lot of the Marina, but a little more bohemian, and a lot more sultry. 85 degrees at 1am, beautiful people, lots of partying, twinkling lights . . . it's great, but it doesn't surprise me some of the more traditional locals find it obnoxious. As a tourist, I thought it was awesome.
Palermo Soho is full of cheap drinks, lots of shopping, and 2-story bars with beautiful patios. Palermo Hollywood is similar, but it's called "Hollywood" because the TV and radio producers are there. (Our host, Paz HATES that they call it "Hollywood." She says it makes Buenos Aires sound snobby.)
Palermo Viejo is obviously the oldest, and the most laid back, but it's got some GOOD food too. All of Palermo has great shopping, but I feel like it's wheelhouse is nightlife, as it is just getting started at midnight, and it is PACKED all night long.
Spain boasts a good late-night game, but ;Buenos Aires has it beat--at least, that is my impression. We didn't get too crazy on Night #1, but I am hoping to pull a Buenos Aires all nighter before we go.
