Buenos Aires is where cumbia digital started, and if you are in BA now, don’t miss a chance to see it where it all began.   ZIzek nights feature electronic music that can best be described as a mash up of cumbia with reggaeton, dancehall, hip-hop and any possible variation you can think of.    Think lots of hip-hop/reggaton samples, with that signature rolling cumbia rythm.  Nevertheless, as Cumbia Digital becomes more popular, more and more DJs are popping up around the world, which is leading to the mixing of new and different sounds and the evolution of a genre.   Zizek continues to push the boundaries of the music they started, and the style is now more of a mashup of traditional/indigenous music and rythms with electronic overlays and hip hop samples.

For more information, including music and future club nights, visit:   http://zzkrecords.com/

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The club is located on the Costanera Norte, slightly north of the Jorge Newberry airport.  It is a large, whitewashed building right by the water, with a great view of the rio de la plata.  On hot summer nights you can almost feel as though you’ve gone to Ibiza.

Pacha is three stories high, the first one being the largest, and is the main room where the headliner will play.  It has very high ceilings, lots of disco balls and lasers, and very good sound.  The second floor acts as a mezzanine, and overlooks the main floor.   It is more of a chill area, and has tables and a small bar.  The third floor is a separate room altogether, and is often used as a VIP lounge.  There is usually another DJ playing in this room, and outside of the room is a huge balcony with a great view of the river.  In the summer, on the patio off of the main floor there will often be a DJ spinning outside as well.

Pacha truly is the prime spot to see the world’s best international Djs.  Past shows include Dave Seaman, Christopher Lawrence, Nick Warren, John Acquaviva, John Creamer….the list goes on, and usually at least one month there is a performance by a very good international DJ.   The best night to go is Saturday nights, which is the only night that is always electronic music.  Fridays are usually some smaller party, often featuring some other type of music, and they only open the third floor.   It’s a totally different club on these nights, and not recommended if you’re looking for electronic music.

There is no dress code at Pacha, although shorts are rarely allowed (unless you’re female) and no flip flops (again, females can probably get away with it).  Dress is very informal, typically jeans and t-shirts, and lots of people wearing sunglasses.  The crowd is mainly late teens to early twenties, and for the most part, there is a good vibe in the club.

Pacha is one of the more expensive discos, with cover costing $40 pesos +, and highballs $25 +

Bottom Line: One of the top places in BA to hear the world’s best electronic music.   A very nice club, though gets a little overcrowded.

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Southfest is one of the three major electronic music festivals held in Buenos Aires, and because it is smaller than Creamfields or the SAMC, it tends to have a better vibe.  The event takes place in Costa Salguero, which is where many different electronic music events take place. It is nicely set-up for these events, and offers great sound and visuals.  It is also easy to access.

For more information such as dates, DJs, and prices go to: http://www.southfest.net

When: Varies every year
Where:  Costa Salguero
Why:  One night with some of the world’s top DJs

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Price is $20. There are two main venues that the party alternates between. One is Teatro Colegiales, the other at Teatro Flores. To find out when and where the next event is, check out their website: http://www.fiestas-bubamara.com.ar/.You can also join the Facebook group of the same name.

If you have no idea what Balkan Gypsy music sounds like, listen to this clip:

Asfalt Tango – Fanfare Ciocarlia

Here is a short video to give you an idea of what the energy is like:

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The shows is comprised of a group of 17 musicians that play different percussion instruments. It is all based on improvisation through dozens of different hand signals. For the first hour, it is only percussion, but the second hour includes an invited guest, which is different every week. It could be a guitar player, a singer, a trumpet player, a DJ, anyone that they feel will complement their music. This is one of the great things about La Bomba del Tiempo; although it is always similar, it does change from week to week.

The crowd is a great mix, comprised of tourists and Argentines. It is definitely a younger, hippie crowd, especially the ones that really get into it, and let loose with some crazy dancing. However, all kinds of people can be found, and very few people do not enjoy the experience. It is truly a great vibe as everyone gets into the music and dances to the hypnotic rhythms while enjoying the relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Cost is $15 per person. Inside they sell 1L cups of beer for $15, as well as other drinks and empanadas if you are hungry. Ciudad Cultural Konex is located at Sarmiento 3131 in Abasto, right near Abasto Shopping. This is an event not to be missed, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself turning into a regular. It happens every Monday night all year long, rain or shine.

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You can find pretty much any type of club here, from super exclusive to straight up grunge, though most are somewhere in between. There are very few clubs that have a dress code in effect, but most places will turn around guys in shorts or sandals. Other than that, you´ll be fine – jeans and sneakers are the most common, and in very few bars will you find girls in high heals.

You can find all kinds of music at the discos, though electronic music is by far the most popular. House, progressive house, and club house are the norm, though there is quite a bit of trance and techno. Reggae is also very common, as are bars that play a variety of pop music, including 80s and 90s hits. In contrary to other South American countries, there is very little salsa or merengue music, which can only be found at a few select bars and clubs.

The entrance to clubs is anywhere from free to 50 pesos, with discounts often offered to girls. If you go early, then you are also more likely to get in for free. Most bars have happy hour, and you should definitely try to take advantage of this. Drinks are incredibly expensive here, with beers ranging from about 6-15 pesos, and highballs/cocktails 12-25 pesos. Most happy hours include options for 2 for 1, or cheap cocktails.

One important thing to remember is that everything starts VERY late here. When people are planning to go out, they will usually start dinner sometime between 10PM and 12AM. Then everyone meets up at someone’s house or a bar for a while. Around 2AM – 3AM, people go to the clubs. For most foreigners, this is a hard schedule to get used to, but if you try to go out earlier, you’ll likely be the only ones there!

Useful Resources:

There are a few websites where you can put your name on a guest list, in turn providing you with either free or discounted entrance. This is a great way to save a bunch of money.

Info Boliches
Out BsAs

There are endless numbers of sites about the different clubs in Buenos Aires. Noche de Buenos Aires has a decent, up to date list – http://www.nochedebuenosaires.com/

Useful Vocabulary:

Boliche – used to refer to a club/disco
Mina – slang word for girl
Birra – another word used for beer
Entrada – refers to cover charge
Barra libre – all you can drink
Cerveza libre – all the beer you can drink
La lista – the guest list
Buena onda – good vibe, cool (for people or places)
Chamuyo – a sweet talker, a guy that goes around saying whatever to girls to try and them up.
Pucho – cigarette

See more Argentine Slang and Vocabulary

Drinks:

Gancia Batida – A cocktail made with Gancia, Lemon Juice, and sugar, shaken together ( Gancia is a bitter aperitivo, 14.8% alcohol).
Whiscola – that´s how you call a rye/whiskey and coke.
Speed – a red bull copy
Fernet – fernet is a hard alcohol that is sweet yet bitter (think of cough syrop), and is usually drunk with coke. Especially popular with Argentine guys.

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