By evening, Santiago's central districts fill with people leaving work and heading for food, drinks and music. The city's nightlife is spread across distinct neighbourhoods rather than concentrated in one strip, and where you end up usually reflects the kind of night you want and what you are willing to spend.
Options range from bohemian bar districts close to downtown to polished, expensive venues on the wealthier eastern side. It suits visitors who are happy to move between areas by metro or taxi, and who accept that the character of a night out changes considerably from one neighbourhood to the next.
Where to go out in Santiago
1. Barrio Bellavista
Bellavista is the bohemian option close to downtown, reached by Metro to Baquedano or by bus to Plaza Italia. Crossing the bridge brings you to Pio Nono, which has probably the highest density of bars, pubs and clubs in Chile, including some LGBT places.
It suits a lively, crowded night out. By law, everything closes down at 05:00, though you may be able to join people for afterparties elsewhere.
2. Barrio Brasil
Barrio Brasil is another popular spot close to downtown, alongside Bellavista. It is one of the central options for a night out rather than a trip to the city's eastern edge.
It suits people who want to stay near the centre and move between bars without long journeys.
3. Barrio Lastarria
Lastarria has more sophisticated and relaxed bars, pubs and cafés, many of which have an interesting history. It is also a district for fine dining.
It suits a calmer evening built around a meal and conversation rather than late dancing.
4. The historic centre
The historic centre has many traditional places to have a drink, some of which have retained an ambience from the early 20th century. One of them is La Piojera, with its signature terremoto drink made with wine, Fernet and pineapple ice cream.
It suits anyone who wants a drink in surroundings that feel tied to the city's older drinking culture.
5. Plaza San Enrique, Lo Barnechea
Plaza San Enrique is a park in Lo Barnechea, at the far northeast of the city, surrounded by nightclubs. The most popular one is Sala Murano, which can get very crowded. People who attend are mostly aged 18 to 25, and it is one of the safest places to party.
Most people there are from upper-middle to high class, so it is more expensive than other neighbourhoods. Typically, women get in for free while men pay around 3,000-5,000 pesos. You can get there by bus, but though buses do pass later on, you might have to wait up to an hour for one.
6. Plaza Ñuñoa
Plaza Ñuñoa is a district east of the central area and is another popular nightlife spot. It is also the district associated with the city's jazz scene, where Club Jazz is a well-known intimate club.
It suits a night that mixes bars with live music in a more local setting.
7. Vitacura
Vitacura is pretty far east, towards the Andes. It is composed of bars and some places where you can dance, and the places are nice and can be fun to go to.
It is more expensive than other areas of Santiago and is frequented by people who live in the wealthier eastern side of the city. Although you can get there by bus, it will be hard to leave on anything but a taxi since buses don't run late.
How a night out unfolds
The sources describe closing times rather than a full evening timetable: by law, everything closes down at 05:00, though you may be able to join people for afterparties elsewhere. Beyond that, plan around transport as much as around the clock, since buses do not run late in some areas and you may have to wait up to an hour for one where they do.
Festivals and events worth timing a trip around
- Jazz festival in Providencia, held each January, with both local and foreign bands playing.
- New Year's Eve, 31 December.
- New Year's Day, 1 January.
Frequently asked questions
What time does everything close?
By law, everything closes down at 05:00, though you may be able to join people for afterparties elsewhere.
Which areas are close to downtown?
Barrio Bellavista and Barrio Brasil are popular spots close to downtown. The historic centre also has many traditional places to have a drink.
Where can I hear live jazz?
The city has an impressive jazz scene with several intimate clubs, a famous one being Club Jazz in the Ñuñoa district. In the Providencia district a jazz festival takes place each January with both local and foreign bands playing.
Do I need a taxi to get home?
It depends on the area. In Vitacura, although you can get there by bus, it will be hard to leave on anything but a taxi since buses don't run late. At Plaza San Enrique, buses do pass later on, but you might have to wait up to an hour for one.
Decide which kind of night you want, check how you will get there and back, and plan your evening around the district that matches it.