The Best Sports Bars for Watching the Rugby in Buenos Aires, Argentina

No capital city would be complete without a trusty Irish bar, and Sullivan’s is Palermo’s answer to the famed Temple Bar in Dublin. A typical Irish bar with all the trappings of boozing, carousing and a good old time, Sullivan’s is one of the best places in the city to watch international rugby matches. Given Ireland’s rugby prowess, it’s perhaps no surprise that Sullivan’s draws sports fans in their droves when a big rugby match is on, to down beers in front of the big screen.

Not to be outdone by the Irish, the British also have their hands in the Buenos Aires bar scene, but this time down south in San Telmo. The Gibraltar is a favoured haunt among expats and tourists, who go for the crisp cider, traditional pub lunches and pool table in the back room. It is also has an old-school sports bar vibe from the British Isles that sees punters gather together around small circular tables and roar in unison when a try is scored.

Representing the American sports bar scene is Chicken Bros, a happening bar that draws a crowd of mostly expats, tourists and anyone who needs their chicken wings craving satiated. While American sports are the more standard fare on the TV screens in this Palermo joint, if there’s enough demand for a popular rugby match you might be able to catch it here.

Formerly El Alamo, a popular place with study abroad students who came for the lively atmosphere and clientele, this Recoleta bar has been transformed by the guys behind El Tejano, a Texas barbeque joint that used to be in Palermo Viejo. Expect whiskey-fuelled evenings and American sports on the screens, with the occasional channel flip to rugby depending on the season.

This bar is affiliated with a hostel, and so gets a young crowd of international travelers who want to party the night away. Because of the demographic, certain rugby matches might be shown if the clash is mighty enough, or you could check out the hostel itself to see if guests are gathering there to watch it.

Another Irish bar typical of Palermo is Dubliners, located further north than Sullivan’s in Palermo Hollywood. Its wooden interior is, again, typical of an Irish pub, and screens at either end allow patrons to keep tabs on whatever match is being played. Check their Facebook page to see if they’re showing the rugby.

One of the original and best Buenos Aires sports bars is Locos x el Futbol, or LXF as it’s known locally. Located in Recoleta, this is typically a football joint, but you might get lucky in rugby season and be able to catch an international game if the stakes are high enough. Get in early for their 2-for-1 happy hour.