The best bars and cafés Chile

Timetable

Pisco sour, gourmet tea, craft beer or southern wine, there is no time to take a break and try the delights of Chilean drinks! Cafés and tea rooms are usually open from morning until late afternoon. In high season, they are open every day on weekdays and sometimes even on Sundays, but beware, opening hours become more random between April and September. The bars all have the same opening hours: for example, cafés that are converted into bars in the evening or establishments that open their doors in the late afternoon. In any case, whether you are in Santiago, Pucón, Valparaíso or even San Pedro de Atacama, they are open until late at night, often until 3 or 4 am! If they are open every day during the high season, it is possible that the pace slows down during the low season and that the establishments close, especially at the beginning of the week.

Budget & Tips

The price of drinks is significantly lower than the European market price. For alcoholic beverages, take advantage of happy hour deals where you can buy two drinks for the price of one or get up to 50% off a glass. In general, you should expect to pay $2,200 for a pint of beer (around €2.50). Some wineries offer free wine tasting.

Age restrictions

In Chile, the sale and consumption of alcohol is not permitted under the age of 18. Some establishments may ask you for your identity card or passport in order to drink.

What's very local

In Santiago, people flock to the smoky bars to sample the famous terremoto (literally "earthquake"), which is sure to get your taste buds tingling! This explosive cocktail is a blend of white wine with cognac, fernet, pisco or rum: each region has its own way of preparing it, but one thing's for sure, it's sure to warm you up!

You can also opt for the national drink, the famous pisco sour, if you like the acidity of lemon! This cocktail, made with egg whites, lime and Pisco, comes in different variations (and dosages!), but is always refreshing.

When you're with a group of friends, it's also customary to mop up the stomachs by sharing large tablas or tablitas stuffed with charcuterie, cheeses, olives, bread, grilled calamari and other regional delicacies.

Earlier in the day, gourmets won't be able to resist the pleasures of las Once, a late afternoon snack where tea or coffee is served with dulces . In addition to cookies, pancakes, pastels de limón and calzones rotos, las Once has developed a range of savoury dishes in keeping with its tradition: ham, eggs, cheese and even German sausages (due to the strong Germanic presence in the South) complete the Chilean plates.

Kids

Children are tolerated in the bars.