Buenos Aires, Argentina > Buenos Aires restaurants > Bar El Federal

Bar El Federal

Carlos Clavo y Peru (on the corner), San Telmo, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Tel. + (011.54.11) 4300.4313
Hours: Open from 7:30AM – 1:30AM Sunday through Thursday and until 3:00AM on Friday and Saturdays.
Price range: $$

The huge wooden antique arch above the sunken bar with its centerpiece clock always set to 12:00 noon, thematically defines this historic old-world café bar. Hand painted, wood covered blue and red menus also do wonders for the atmosphere as you'll need your reading glasses to get through the book-like choices – everything you could imagine at a bar café including steaks, burgers, sandwiches, salads, beer, wine and cocktails, and everything in-between, served up since 1864.

Located a few blocks off of Defensa Avenue, Fernet and coke signage adorn the walls along with old photos of the neighborhood and a few tango portraits as well. A super friendly wait staff gives good but typically slow service, so bring a friend or a book and plan on escaping San Telmos better traveled streets for this classic Buenos Aires haunt.

—Bar El Federal review by Greg Roden

Return to BuenosAires-Argentina.com