Nightlife in Chile is as hot as Chili! You just need to know where to find it. Cities all over Chile have really hopping nightlife scenes but Santiago outstrips all the other cities by far. If you go to Viña del Mar just near Santiago you can expect a much quieter nightlife though the casino scene there offers another exciting alternative to the usual clubs and bars found in Santiago. Avoid going to Valparaiso if nightlife is what you have in mind. It is known for having rather dodgy clubs, clientele, and even lousy music. For a good night out outside of Santiago you can go north to San Pedro de Acatama or south to Valdivia where you can be sure to have a real blast.
When in Santiago the three areas to drop by for a fun night out are Barrio Bellavista, Providencia’s Calle Suecia and Plaza Ñuñoa although gaining in popularity are the areas near Bellas Artes Museum and Plaza Brazil. The last two are especially popular among tourists.
Barrio Bellavista is the place to go for music. Music are typically guitar music, boleros, or Latin. The place has lots of small informal restaurants and cafes where one can talk and hang out while waiting for the live music that usually starts at around 11pm. Beer in Bellavista is plentiful and cheap often even being sold for cheaper than bottled water. Restaurants range for tourists of all budgets with everything from pizza, local cuisine, and French cuisine available. This is also the place to go if you want to go dancing with dance clubs of all genres found in the area. In Bellavista you can go disco dancing, eat in a good restaurant, go visit an art gallery, and even shop in stores that sells great handicrafts. For authentic Chile entertainment and varied choices visit Barrio Bellavista.
Providencia’s Calle Suecia is where you find most the expats and tourists who prefer slick Irish and Boston style bars. Bars and nightclubs here are more of the upscale type attracting more professionals and con artists as well. Beware when going to Suecia since it is fast earning the reputation as a place where really pretty and friendly women drug unsuspecting tourists and who wake up to find their billfolds and pride gone. Once warned about such scams you will definitely find Suecia to be a reall hot nightspot. If you want to dress up and have fun in a top quality bar then Calle Suecia is the place to visit.
Plaza Nuoña is the heart of Santiago’s underground scene. There are relatively less bars and nightclubs in this area though this is the place where you can get to rub elbows with local musicians and thespians of the real ilk. Dress code in this place is typical of one visited by students, which is a really laid back look like ripped jeans and black leather jackets. No need to dress up to go to Plaza Nuoña. For an artistic atmosphere and the greatest live music scene in all of Santiago visit Nuoña.