Don’t let Uruguay’s size of fool you. Montevideo, the capital of this small South American country, is a dynamic and energetic city filled with unique cocktail bars, artisanal breweries, and lively dance clubs.
Baar FunFun in Montevideo, Uruguay
Montevideo is a walker’s paradise. Each neighborhood leads into the next, making bar-hopping as effortless as it is enjoyable. With an incredible live music scene and a cocktail-forward culture, the bar scene in Montevideo has a little something for everyone. Check out some of the favorites below.
Cervecería Ramón in Cordon, Montevideo
Cervecería Ramón
Located in the Cordon neighborhood, Cervecería Ramón considers itself ‘El Bar de los Amigos’ (Friends’ Bar) and they couldn’t be more spot on: this bar is a great place to start your night and throw a few back with your buddies. They offer a cozy, dimly lit indoor atmosphere as well as a large beer garden with communal tables and street art covering the walls. This place proudly serves its own home-crafted beer, as well as specialty gin cocktails, like their Tónica Diablo Verde (Green Devil Tonic) – a gin and tonic served with lime juice, ginger syrup, fresh cucumber, and mint leaves. Whatever cocktail you choose, your tastebuds will be amused. While sipping on your new favorite cocktail you can take in the sounds of local musicians and DJs as Cervecería Ramón offers live music every night.
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Fun and games at Oso Pardo bar, Montevideo
Oso Pardo
This brewery and food hub is also located in the Cordon neighborhood and has taken the beer scene of Montevideo by storm. Oso Bar’s beers are famous for their strong, aromatic, and explosive flavors, like its Maracuyipa – a passionfruit IPA. It also offers multiple other inventive and original beers on tap. If you come for the beer, you’ll have to stay for a burger. Each burger is designed to pair perfectly with one of its many distinctive beers. There are 3 vegetarian burger options on the menu and loads of carnivorous options. For those with an appetite like a bear, you can have the Crispy Bear Burger that pairs perfectly with the Mosaico, their double IPA beer and spin-off of the famous Maracuyipa.
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The wide range of beers on tap at Oso Pardo bar
Andorra Bar
Andorra is a classic Montevideo bar. Think dive bar chic. It’s located on the corner of Canelones Street and Yaguarón, and since its beginnings, it has been a staple in the neighborhood. It continues to give off its traditional charm and locals gather here nightly to share beers, eat great pizza, and hear live music. Andorra Bar holds a lot of history within its walls. It was originally a place for the locals from the neighborhood to come and have homemade ‘grappa’. After the original establishment closed down the new owners decided to keep the neon sign out front. It is one of the last signs of its kind in Montevideo. The new owners also stayed true to the original vintage decor, keeping the original cash register and marble countertops. This place encompasses the feels of old Montevideo and is well worth the visit.
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Bar Andorra
Jackson Bar
Jackson Bar, as its name states, is located on Jackson Street in the Cordon neighborhood and has become a hotspot in the Montevideo nightlife scene. During the earlier hours, you can revel in the quiet ambiance and enjoy dinner and drinks on their spacious outdoor patio. They have a varied menu of drinks and food at reasonable prices, providing a little something for everyone. From 2 a.m. onwards this place turns into a dancing hotbox where partygoers can move their bodies to the current radio hits until the wee hours of the morning. So if it’s dinner and drinks, dancing till dawn, or both that you’re after, Jackson Bar has it all.
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La Ronda
This Montevideo classic is a music-lover’s utopia. In this modern bohemian meeting spot you’re likely to come across all manner of musicians, artists, and writers. Classic vintage vinyls spin as local creatives converse over the city’s latest affairs. The walls are covered with retro music posters, and ticket stubs from concerts of the past are on display like trophies. Along with the trendy vibe, La Ronda also happens to serve delectable cocktails and food, and is located in a prime location. It is situated on Ciudadela street, right off of La Rambla, which runs along Montevideo’s coast, making this a great place to sit on the terrace and watch the sun melt into the sea as the sky fills with luminous colors.
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La Ronda Café
El Pony Pisador
A true classic in the old district of Montevideo, this two-story bar with moderate decor offers live music and events, a complete food menu, and heavenly drinks. There is a sidewalk terrace, perfect for sipping on wine and chatting with friends, and inside you’ll find tables, bar seating, and a dance floor and stage where the band plays, which is also viewable from their upstairs seating area. The staff at El Pony Pisador are incredibly attentive and the atmosphere is inviting. You never know what you’ll find for entertainment at this bar as they have live music nights, karaoke and stand-up comedy evenings. One thing you’ll be able to count on at this bar any night of the week is true Montevideo style.
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Bar Tabaré warming up for the day
Bar Tabaré
This bar is a little slice of Montevideo history. First opening its doors in 1919, it has stood the test of time and kept much of its original decor. It first opened as a grocery store for the neighborhood, then turned into a fisherman’s bar, and in the ’90s transformed into the bar and restaurant we know today. It has kept a small store within its doors that sells homemade products with the Bar Tabaré label. From wine to dulce de leche, it’s worth picking up a few specialty items before departing. The walls of this bar are lined with photos from its very rich past and many of the furnishings and decor are the originals from when the bar first opened. There is also live music almost every night. With its warm atmosphere, subtle wines, draft beers, and traditional food it’s a perfect place to spend an authentic Montevideo evening.
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Inside Bar Tabaré are photos from the bar’s rich past
Baker’s Bar
This bright corner bar stands out in the Cordon neighborhood and isn’t hard to miss. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the playful painted exterior walls, and flocks of locals sipping on drinks and conversing at one of its many streetside tables. If cocktails are your thing, this will be your wonderland. They take the freshest ingredients and modify classic drinks that we all know and love. Me Mataste, their signature drink, is an Aperol spritz with a twist; Aperol, white wine, passion fruit, orange juice, and ginger syrup. Not only are the drinks top-notch, but their food menu will spark your interest too. They offer some vegetarian and meat options as well as delightful Uruguayan staples, perfect for sharing with friends alongside a satisfying cocktail.
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If cocktails are your thing, then so is Baker’s Bar
Baar FunFun
Baar FunFun is a living piece of history and is a must-see when visiting Montevideo. It was founded in 1895 by Don Augusto López who created their famous drink, Uvita, which is now patented and still served to this day. This signature drink isn’t the only thing that makes Bar FunFun famous: important figures have been coming to the bar for more than a century to delight themselves in the ambiance of traditional tango. Carlos Gardel, the famed Argentinian singer, famously sang here in 1933 and left behind a signed autograph which is still on display in the bar. The walls, from floor to ceiling, ooze with history, featuring paintings, photos of their many famous guests, and general Uruguayan memorabilia. From Tuesday to Saturday, Baar FunFun offers live music shows and tango performances. Doors open at 18:00 and it’s a good idea to get there on the earlier side to make sure you get a table so you can enjoy your ‘Uvita’ and tango until closing time at 2 a.m.
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Negroni Bar in Montevideo, Uruguay
Bar Negroni
You can’t miss this one, with its bright Neon sign out front and floor-to-ceiling windows giving you a peek inside. Pulling inspiration from Florence and New York, this sleek bar and restaurant guarantees to serve up the best Negroni in town. The decor inside is smart, warm, inviting, and inspired by the owner’s love for New York City. Not only can you taste their famous Negroni, but they also serve up an array of other specialty cocktails. Their food menu stands out from other establishments in the area for its extensive sushi menu and other international dishes. Enjoy!
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One of Bar Negroni’s many specialty cocktails