Buenos Aires’ Hippest Hostel: Art Factory

Art Factory hostel is a cool option for a stay in Buenos Aires, not just for the graffiti throughout each location, but the relaxed, friendly vibe.

Since opening their original location in Palermo a decade ago, Art Factory has debuted three new locations, making this hostel more popular than Buenos Aires’ longtime favorite for single travelers, Milhouse Hostel.

Each Art Factory location is housed in classic, restored building. Inside the style is comfortable and colorful with murals along the hallways and in each room. Aside from the usual amenities such as towels, sheets, and wifi, Art Factory features a bilingual staff, free coffee and tea all day, a breakfast that includes eggs and fruit, a library, ping pong tables (at the Palermo location), and free activities such as Spanish conversation classes.

Which Art Factory Hostel Location is Better?

The original Palermo location is spacious and perfectly located to enjoy the many restaurants and clubs nestled around the hostel.

The more minimalist Act Factory Soho, in a large black corner building, is just five minutes from the Plaza Italia transit hub, making it a good location to get around the city. Light sleepers should note this is the noisiest location, but the private rooms are very nice.

The San Telmo Art Factory is for free spirits who want to stay in the south of the city and enjoy their large roof-deck close to downtown attractions such as the Plaza de Mayo, the San Telmo Fair and the walkable and modern Puerto Madero neighborhood.

Beer lovers will definitely want to stay at the newest location, the Art Factory Beer Garden, which claims to be the first hostel in Buenos Aires with its own (quite lovely) beer garden, twenty types of beer on tap and a live DJ spinning music.

Art Factory Hotel Original
Costa Rica 4353
Palermo

Art Factory Soho
Charcas 4500
Palermo Soho

Art Factory Beer Garden
Paraguay 4539
Plaza Italia, Palermo

Art Factory San Telmo
Piedras 545
San Telmo

Gibraltar: Buenos Aires’ Original British Pub

In San Telmo a thirst for home is quenched at Gibraltar. The reigning champion for Buenos Aires’ most authentic British pub, it’s a gathering place for travelers, foreign settlers and neighborhood regulars.

Here you’ll find good booze, decent music at a reasonable volume, an interesting mix of characters, and a few different environments to mingle. Lounge around a booth in the front to watch a game, hook your bag under the sturdy bar to settle in for a chat or pass by the open kitchen to on your way to hang out on the patio.

Food – Fish & Chips, English Breakfast & Curries

A number of places to get good beer have cropped up in Buenos Aires since Gibraltar opened in 1999 but it remains San Telmo’s go-to spot to find a decent shot of imported whiskey, pint of IPA, Gambrinus stout, Antares Scotch or cider on tap.

The pub fare – as long you stick to the Indian or Thai curries, fish and chips and burgers — is fresh and tasty. A frequent 2X1 offer on curries at lunchtime, makes this an inviting spot to invite someone for a casual lunch. On the weekends they offer a traditional English breakfast of eggs, sausage, baked beans and toast until 5 p.m. Note that orders are taken by the friendly staff at the bar.

Sport Games & Pool

If you’re in Buenos Aires and looking to catch a football/soccer, basketball or rugby game on the tube, Gibraltar is one of your best bets in this part of town. You can also join in on a game of pool, just put your name on the chalkboard and dodge pool sticks while you wait.

It can be a crowded on Friday and Saturday nights after 10 p.m. In fair weather sometimes a line forms outside, much to the annoyance of regulars. It pays to get there early, as the Happy Hour 2X1 pints last until 10 p.m. On weekends, neighborhood habitués often come in the afternoon and either settle in at a table in the back or move on before it fills up with young Argentines on a mission to snog foreigners.

Gibraltar – $$
Peru 895
San Telmo
Tel: 4362-5310

•Hours: 12 p.m.— 4 a.m. everyday
•Happy Hour: 12p.m —10 p.m.
•Kitchen closes around 1:30 a.m.

Foto of the Week: Mirror Man

On the streets of San Telmo, one of many street performers in the San Telmo Fair, ‘El Hombre Espejo,’ or ‘Mirror Man.’ – photo:Sam Harrison

→ Tango at the San Telmo Fair

→ Music at the San Telmo Fair

Foto of the Week: ‘Jack Sparrow’ at the San Telmo Fair

One of the San Telmo’s most recognizable characters is ‘Jack Sparrow’ or ‘Jackie’ as he prefers to be called.

The look-alike of the Pirates of the Caribbean star can often be found around Plaza Dorrego or wandering the Sunday San Telmo Fair using his cleverness and wit to extract money from charmed tourists.

Foto of the Week: Impromptu Concert at the Street Fair

An impromptu jam session on the corner of Defensa and Mexico in the ever-expanding San Telmo Fair.

San Telmo is widely known as Buenos Aires’ hippie haven. The San Telmo Street Fair (not to be confused with the San Telmo Market) is one of Buenos Aires top attractions.

The free music on offer ranges from professional tango orchestras, to walking Candombe troupes, and spontaneous pick-up-a-drum-any-drum jam sessions like the one above.

Visitors can also enjoy a wide variety of street performers, and indoor and outdoor milongas. Check out our city tours to explore San Telmo with a local guide, or dive into San Telmo’s tango scene with a milonga tour.