Bar Isabel

Sophie´s is a very exclusive bar in Palermo Soho, owned by the same people who own Casa Cruz and Oslen´s. As you can imagine, it is very expensive, and although the chic-retro atmosphere is worth a visit, you may find it hard to rationalize a visit here over some of the areas other top spots that are equally cool but a lot cheaper.

One of the things that makes Sophie´s unique, and add to their exclusivity, is their “chip” system. You buy chips on your way in, which you can use to buy your drinks. Once inside, you can purchase more chips from your server, so that you can continue buying their very expensive (but very good) drinks.

The “chips” system is a good idea, but unfortunately, it´s not well carried out. Each chip costs $20 pesos, and only buys you a pop or a water. You have to use two chips for any type of alcohol. The problem with this is you are stuck paying $40 pesos, whether you want a shot of tequila, a vodka soda, or a fancy cocktail.

The drink menu at Sophie´s also makes them unique….they don´t have one. They will make you any traditional drink you like, they will invent a drink for you, and they also have a couple of house cocktails. Again, the “no menu” is a fun idea, but then again, if I am going to a fancy, exclusive bar, I don´t want to drink an average drink, especially when it is going to cost me $40 pesos. I want to try some creative bartender´s invention, that I won´t find anywhere else, or just a damn fine dirty vodka martini made with a hella good vodka. That being said, they do have a couple signature cocktails that you can request, and the drinks they make are veeeeery good.

The atmosphere at Sophie´s is pretty sweet. Low lighting, lots of mirrors, ceiling lines with gold colored lightbulbs, and a few cool booths make up the main part of the bar (which is long and narrow, but not all that large). Outside there is a marbled patio, with a real-wood fireplace, which I must say was pretty swanky. Not to mention, the bathroom is the COOLEST I´ve ever been in. They are shared bathrooms, and mirrors everywhere, making you feel like you’re in an Alice in Wonderland world. It almost makes me want to buy $20 pesos water just so I can go to the bathroom more often.

Now, they also serve some appys and desserts. If you are think about cocktail and dessert here after dinner, I recommend thinking again. I ordered a chocolate volcano, and once again you have to order with chips. Two chips, meaning $40 pesos….for dessert. I would be alright with that, if it was reaaaaaaaalllly good. But our volcano arrived, and it was one of the smallest chocolate volcanoes I´ve eaten in Buenos Aires (and I haven´t eaten A LOT)! Not to mention, it didn´t come with anything. No sauce, no ice cream, no whipped cream, no garnish, it was a mini volcano with powdered sugar on top. Defintely not woth $40 pesos. I suggest you eat dessert wherever you at dinner, or skip dessert and drink more cocktails.

So, as I left, I can´t say I was overly impressed, although the atmosphere is pretty sweet. If you are just going for a few cocktails, or you want to impress someone by going to a wicked cool spot, you may want to try it out. But the prices are truly over the top, and the only part worthy of the prices are the crazy bathrooms, which aren´t really worth a $40 peso cocktail.

Bottom Line: Check out one of Palermo´s most exclusive, trendy bars and party with the high-rollers of Buenos Aires – but be ready to pay for it.

Bar Isabel
1664 Uriarte
Palermo Soho
Tel: 4834 6969

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