Gay Friendly Places in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is perhaps the most gay friendly city in South America. Since Argentina was the first country on the continent to legalise gay marriage (and, in fact, one of the first countries to legalise it in the whole western hemisphere), it has a thriving local gay scene and a well-established gay tourism industry.

While the city in general is tolerant and welcoming of all orientations, there are certain places that are friendlier than others. We've compiled a list of places and parties that will be sure to welcome you with open arms. Read on for our guide to gay friendly places in Buenos Aires!

[caption id="attachment_3365" align="aligncenter" width="540"] Pride flags for sale during the Buenos Aires Pride Parade / source [/caption]

1. Where to stay

San Telmo, Palermo and Recoleta are the best options for accommodation, with the highest concentration of gay-friendly establishments. There are plenty of accommodation options in Buenos Aires that cater either exclusively to the LGBT community or are listed as gay friendly. Popular options include:

Lugar Gay - The first gay bed & breakfast in Buenos Aires, located in San Telmo. This intimate guesthouse is exclusively for gay men, and is popular not just for its beautiful property but the extensive knowledge of its staff and owners. If you're looking for a great introduction to the scene in Buenos Aires, you can't go wrong with Lugar Gay.

Friendly Apartments - Short term apartment rentals catering specifically to the LGBT community. These apartments are located in Recoleta and are a good option for more independent travellers looking for elegant, private accommodation.

See this link for a full list of gay-friendly accommodation in Buenos Aires.

[caption id="attachment_3367" align="aligncenter" width="540"] San Telmo is a popular place to find gay-friendly accommodation / source [/caption]

2. Where to Party

There is no shortage of options when it comes to the party scene in Buenos Aires. But do be warned, the nightlife in Buenos Aires starts late, and ends late! Clubs typically don't get going until after 2am and after parties can continue well past sunrise the next day.

If you've just arrived in town and want a great overview of the best bars in Buenos Aires, an organised pub crawl is a good way to go. The Buenos Aires Gay Pub Crawl takes you to a number of the hottest gay spots in the city while also giving you the chance to meet fellow tourists.

Other popular gay bars and clubs include:

Flux Bar - Located in the city centre, this gay bar is one of the few that opens early in the evening, at 7pm. Popular with expats, this is a good option for travellers looking for an early drink or for those wanting to mingle with fellow English speakers. There is a happy hour from 7-10pm every day. Marcelo T. de Alvear 980, Centro

Sitges Bar - One of the biggest gay bars in Buenos Aires, Sitges hosts drag shows every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Córdoba 4119

On Wednesdays head to Bar Jolie, in Palermo, which hosts Fiesta Jolie every Wednesday. This popular party is renowned for its cheap drinks, great music and buena onda (good vibes).

If you're more into the club scene, you're also in luck. Popular gay spots include Amerika Disco, an institution among clubs here, Glam (go on a Saturday night), and, in summer, Human, situated along the Costanera Norte, the coastal area near the local airport that is home to Buenos Aires's epic superclubs. Here the party continues long enough to watch the sunrise over the Río de la Plata.

Find more gay bars and clubs in Buenos Aires here.

[caption id="attachment_3366" align="aligncenter" width="540"] Glam, one of Buenos Aires's hottest gay clubs / source [/caption]

3. Where to Eat

While you shouldn't have problems eating anywhere in the city, there are a number of exclusively gay or gay-friendly food establishments to choose from.

Inside Resto Bar - This exclusively gay restaurant is open from Tuesdays to Sundays and serves a varied menu, with good 2x1 specials. If you're looking for some extra spice, on weekends there are strip shows. Bartolomé Mitre 1571

La Farmacia - Located in San Telmo, this gay-friendly restaurant is a great place to while away a few hours in one of its little nooks or on its roof terrace. The menu is varied and includes sandwiches and platters. Open daily. Bolivar 898

Pride Café - Also in San Telmo, this is a gay-friendly café but attracts a varied crowd. Open from Monday to Sunday, Pride Café serves modern and fresh food, including breakfast. Balcarce 869

Sattva - Located downtown, this vegetarian restaurant also caters largely to a gay and lesbian crowd. You can find well-priced, healthy food here, with a warm atmosphere. Montevideo 446

4. What to Do

You can't come to Buenos Aires and not try your hand (or feet) at tango. There are various gay milongas which offer tango lessons. Popular options include La Marshall and Tango Queer.

The biggest event on the gay calendar is without a doubt Pride. Buenos Aires's Annual Pride Parade takes place this year on 15 November. Called Marcha del Orgullo, this festival, always taking place in early November, attracts increasingly large crowds, with an estimated 250 000 people turning up in 2013. Traditionally the party starts at 3pm in Plaza de Mayo, before moving down Avenida de Mayo to Plaza Congreso where it culminates in a big party.

The party doesn't end here though, as there are usually ongoing events, shows and exhibitions in the week after Pride.

For travellers wanting to go further afield, the rest of the country is catching up quickly to Buenos Aires's welcoming spirit. Bariloche is a popular spot with many gay-friendly options including a gay snow festival. Another good alternative is Mendoza which hosts a Gay Grape Harvest Festival after the traditional Vendimia Festival in Mendoza City.

[caption id="attachment_3360" align="aligncenter" width="540"] Thousands flock to celebrate Buenos Aires's Pride March / source [/caption] If you're out and proud, Buenos Aires should definitely be on your travel itinerary. With its welcoming spirit, equal rights, and flourishing gay community, you'll be sure to have a time to remember! Head on over to bsas4u.com for more tips on travelling to Buenos Aires.

By Nicole Eberhard