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Buenos Aires, Argentina > Buenos Aires restaurants > Crack Up Crack UpCosta Rica 4767 (@ JL Borges) ; Tel. +(011.54.11) 4831.3502
Crack Up is a small bookshop with a massive Stella Artois sign outside and if the combination of Borges and beer appeals then this might well be the place to try it out. That said, it's definitely more of a coffee and croissant kind of venue than a place to bring a bachelor party. Located centrally in the nightlife hotspot of Palermo SoHo, Crack Up greets visitors with a window display filled with delights of world literature and glossy tomes dedicated to the natural splendor of Argentina. Beyond the doors there's a small courtyard surrounded by whitewashed walls. The windows all have black wood shutters and there's even a black iron lantern on one wall. Like a backdrop from Zorro. There's a retractable canvas roof up above and enough seats and chairs for about twenty people. Upstairs there are more fully stacked bookshelves, tables and chairs. The bookshop itself is small, but carries all the usual stars of Latin American literature, Allende, Marquez, Cortázar, et al., as well as quite a few American authors in the original English for bookworms with a looser grasp of castellano. In addition to the nightlife and literature combination, Crack Up is also a gallery and the walls are all decorated with pieces from the latest exhibition. Contributing artists are local and works are available to purchase. The menu includes big and small bottles of Quilmes ($4AR/$7AR) and Stella Artois ($5AR/$8AR), as well as Guinness ($5.50AR). There's a small selection of cocktails for about $10AR each, as well as whiskies, coffees and natural fruit juices. For patrons willing to risk grease spots in their books there's also picadas platters available to share ($20AR for enough for two, $42AR for four), as well as a small selection of sandwiches priced around $12AR. Crack Up is owned and run by a group of friends with an interest in literature and the arts, which is reflected in the friendly, laid-back atmosphere. —Crack Up review by Johan Jensen
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