{"id":292,"date":"2010-11-05T00:46:41","date_gmt":"2010-11-05T00:46:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/menteargentina.wordpress.com\/?p=292"},"modified":"2026-10-08T15:37:24","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T15:37:24","slug":"drinking-like-a-poretno","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.menteargentina.com\/blog\/drinking-like-a-poretno\/","title":{"rendered":"Drinking in Argentina: Fernet, Malbec, Beer & Porte\u00f1o Drinking Culture"},"content":{"rendered":"

Explore Argentine drinking culture through Fernet, Malbec, beer, vermouth and porte\u00f1o social customs, with context for enjoying a night out responsibly.<\/p>\n\n

Alcohol and venue offerings change; this article is about Argentine drinking culture, not a fixed list of promotions.<\/p>\n

Buenos Aires is known for its\u00a0<\/b>endless and lively night life. Many people are suprised at how late the nights start and subsequently how late they end. \u00a0Generally speaking, people in Buenos Aires do drink quite a bit but they typically take it slow-allowing them to enjoy the entire night. Much like the food culture here, the act of drinking is more of a way to share time with friends.\u00a0Everyone brings something to drink and shares it with everyone-taking note of when a friend’s glass is empty\u00a0and filling it up.<\/p>\r\n

\"buenos-aires-traffic-city-night-argentina\"<\/p>\r\n

\u00a0A typical night out in Buenos Aires\u00a0will look something like this:<\/p>\r\n\u219210:00PM <\/strong>Dinner time- often with friends or family\r\n

\u219212:00AM<\/strong> Previa or casual drinks with friends<\/p>\r\n

\u21922:00AM<\/strong> Time to head out to your first destination<\/p>\r\n

\u21927:00AM<\/strong> Time to head home as the sun rises<\/p>\r\n

\u2192Sleep until you have to get up, it is rare for people to get up early on the weekends<\/p>\r\n\r\n

For the Aspiring Wine-O’s<\/b>\u00a0\r\n<\/a><\/h2>\r\n\"000005e60-Argentina\"<\/a>\r\n\r\nWhen in Buenos Aires you have little choice but to turn yourself into a wine-o. \u00a0With a large variety of wines at very reasonable prices, it is easy to take this leap. \u00a0It is very common to share food with friends in Buenos Aires and when invited it is always a good idea to bring a bottle of wine.\r\n\r\nArgentina is known for its red wines, specifically Malbec which is primarily made in Mendoza. Malbec conveniently pairs well with steak dinners, something else that is easy to come by for reasonable prices- making for lovely and lavish dinners. For those of you who like your drinks a little sweeter, It is common for red wine to be served with Coca-Cola\u00a0or ice.\r\n\r\nIf you are a white wine drinker, T\"argentina_wine_map\"orront\u00e9s is a popular local\u00a0wine that is native to\u00a0Argentina. Torront\u00e9s is made primarily in the northwestern regions of Argentina and is known for its desceptively sweet smell\u00a0and contrastingly dry flavor.\r\n\r\nIf you want to know more about Argentine wines, a wine tasting<\/a> is a great way to scratch the surface. If you are an aspiring wine expert (wine-o), Mente offers a short course\u00a0<\/a>as well as an Intensive Sommelier Program<\/a>.\r\n

Mixed Drinks for Something a Little Sweeter\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\"fernet\"<\/a>\r\n\r\nFernet and Coke: <\/strong>This is\u00a0probably the most popular mixed drink in Buenos Aires. If you are not familiar with fernet, beware it is an acquired taste. It is a bitter spirit that is made from herbs and spices.\u00a0In Italy, fernet\u00a0was originally created as a digestive to be had in small quantities after a large meal. Somewhere along the road people started to drink lots of fernet outside of meal time with cola\u00a0to sweeten it up- a much recommended additive because fernet is very, very bitter.\r\n\r\n\"campari\"<\/a>Campari and Orange Juice:<\/strong>\u00a0also a very popular mixed drink. Like Fernet, it was originally intended to be had in small quantities as a way to open your appetite before a meal. \u00a0It is dark red in color and bitter in flavor. \u00a0It is now very common to order a campari with orange juice and sometimes with seltzer to mitigate the bitter taste.\r\n\r\nVodka Speed:\u00a0<\/strong>Argentina is no exception to the energy drink + alcohol craze. \u00a0With a nightlife that goes all night and beyond into the wee hours of the morning, \u00a0a little kick in the pants can help to get you through the night.\r\n\r\nTo know more about mixed drinks- porte\u00f1o & beyond- Mente offers a bartending course <\/a>to help you to become an expert.\r\n\r\n \r\n

Beer Drinkers Guide\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nIn recent years B\"beer-pale\"uenos Aires is starting to see its very own craft brewery scene pop up. \u00a0It is still something\u00a0that needs to be saught out, \u00a0but it exists. If you go to any bar you are going to see a lot of Quilmes <\/a>and Stella in liters. \u00a0Quilmes being the most popular national\r\nbrand, will always be your cheapest option. \u00a0 If you are just going to enjoy a drink with friends and don’t care much about the beer you are drinking these will be your staple beers.\r\n\r\nFor those of you who love to try beer, you will have to look for cerveza artesanal. As the years go on there are more and more options. For now we recommend the following bars to get your fancy beer fix:\r\n