Armenia 1784, (between El Salvador and Costa Rica), Palermo Soho / Viejo

[May 2007 edit - this review refers to the bar as Terreo throughout, but the name has since been changed to the Soho Vain Bar, I guess given its prime location in Palermo Soho]

Terreo is the most unique bar I have visited so far in Buenos Aires, because, well, it is more like a big (chilled) house party than a real bar. It is located in ‘trendy’ Palermo Viejo, right next to the ingeniously named Plaza Palermo Viejo, a few blocks from Palermo Soho and the more famous Plaza Serrano.

The barrio of Palermo has a reputation of being willfully ‘different’, and in that area, Terreo certainly doesn’t disappoint. First off, it is a little difficult to find if you are looking for it by name. It has no Terreo sign, and is just a door with a today’s special’s blackboard outside. So look out for the Armenia 1784 street number (above right) on a yellow background to help you find it. Also, it is next door to a store called ‘Viva La Pepa’, which does have a sign, much to the amusement of my Argentine friends (ask an Argentine what ‘Viva La Pepa’ means).

House Turned Bar

The main differentiating factor of the Terreo bar, is that it is clearly a large house that has had a bar grafted into one of the rooms. The other rooms have sofas, armchairs, coffee tables, candles, magazines, pieces of art etc, and it is just like being in the comfort of your own home, except for the added benefit that you have people waiting on you. Each room has a door, which can be closed if privacy should be desired. But beware if you have the fantasy of getting a little frisky with your partner in a public place - the waiters do not always knock! And the apparent intimacy can often be disturbed by other people looking for a room to themselves.

The Usual Buenos Aires Suspects

The drinks are the same as almost any Argentine bar (Quilmes and Cocktails), and the waiting staff are very friendly and helpful, and dare I say understanding and discreet when they find you in a compromising situation after opening the door to your room……so I’m told, anyway

Relax…

The vibe at Terreo is very laid-back, with no loud music, invitingly comfy sofas to relax in, and the opportunity to cut the rest of the world out by closing the door. Really, it is very well suited to couples and groups of couples or friends, because with the separate room layout you will be spending some quality time with your company. Definitely not a place to go alone, or if you are looking to meet other people.

Cafe by Day

I didn’t try the food on offer personally, which as you can see from the blackboard above includes enchiladas and guacamole (not common in Buenos Aires), but one friend did tuck into a gorgeous warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream melting around it, which was an excellent dessert. It also looks a good place to visit as a cafe during the day, for a coffee and dessert, or even lunch, in a nice chilled environment.

Terreo Bar Verdict

• Overall Bar Rating: (4/5) Laid back bliss.
• BA Authenticity: (4/5) Like the portenos, Terreo is ’something different’.
• Value: (3/5) Not cheap, not expensive.

BA Travel Guide Special Tip

Grab a sofa, kick back and relax…

PS - Soon I will post up a photo of this bar with its new name, the Soho Vain bar, and then update the review a little to reflect the name change.