City Experiences

Where to Meet People in Buenos Aires

Madi Lang

By | July 6, 2020

On the list of things that make a happy life, friends rank pretty high. When living in a foreign country, friends are even more important. They become your family, your partners in crime and your excuse to not go on that date with that guy you accidentally gave your number to.

Now, there are two kinds of friends that you’ll find no matter where you are: acquaintances and true friends. Acquaintances are easy to make. They might not blow your mind with ideas on life, but they’ll party, share dinners and can be the connection to finding true friends.

True friends are the ones you meet, immediately connect with and feel like you’ve known forever. Finding a true friend is like finding a boyfriend or girlfriend. It happens when you least expect it.

Much like at university, acquaintances are made in a snap in social situations or by chance that you two are alone in the same space. When you first arrive in a foreign country, these are the kind of connections you’ll make at first to get the ball rolling. Here are some ideas on how to find fast friends in Buenos Aires:

Before you leave your home country, cover the basics

1. Tell everyone you know that you are going to Buenos Aires. They might have a friend or family member to put you in touch with. These connections are great because you aren’t complete strangers, and this person will have solid recommendations for what you seek. If you’re lucky, they’ll take you under their wing.
2. If you’re a study abroad student, ask the study abroad office of your university if any alumni are living in Buenos Aires, if they are aware of any social groups or organizations you should be contacting there, etc. These alumni and organizations are a great resource for friends, jobs and accommodations.

Once you arrive:

1. Staying in a hostel is a great way to meet random people and explore city nightlife. Avoid boutique hotels unless they have a reputation for taking their guests out or have long-term guests. Check out these fun Hostels that have tons of common areas to hang out, daily activities and nightly events that are sure to be memorable.

2. If you’re planning on staying for an extended period of time, rent a room in a big international apartment/house. In these types of living arrangements, you’ll often end up with a wide variety of roommates from around the world who are all studying/working and are also looking for friends. The Buenos Aires Real Estate group on Facebook is a great place to find one of these set ups.

3. Go out! If you are into sports, the Alamo in Recoleta is your spot. The Alamo is the closest you’ll get to an American sports bar here in Buenos Aires, and nothing unites strangers like screaming at Michael Vick. Buda Bar in Palermo is also a great place to meet fellow ex-pats and internationals. Especially on Thursdays when they host a weekly beer pong tournament; a great way to meet new people, practice Spanish and for those decent at beer pong, the chance of winning not only glory but some cool prizes! If you are a hippie or a live-music addict, go to La Bomba de Tiempo. This is a cheap weekly drumming show that attracts huge crowds and leads to loco after parties where you can mingle with like-minded people.

3. Use Facebook to find out about open events. Buenos Aires is full of people trying to hang out and they are posting on Facebook looking for like-minded people. The Buenos Aires Expat Hub is that biggest Expat Facebook page (July 2020), but there are countless others dedicated to more niche interests. From foodie groups that dine at some of the best restaurants together to futbol tournaments and shows, open invitations are legit and should be taken advantage of.

4. Hit up a language exchanges. If one of your goals in Argentina is to improve your Spanish, attending language exchanges will kill two birds with one stone. You’ll get in that valuable Spanish practice, while meeting potential friends. Mundo Lingo is free language exchange that rotates between bars in various neighborhoods throughout the week. Upon entering you receive flag stickers to represent the language(s) you speak fluently along with any that you’re learning. What usually starts out as a quite tame language exchange often turns into more of a rowdy singles night. Warning for the ladies, the ratio often skews heavily towards the men, so you can expect to be bombarded with Latinos looking to practice flirting in English. This also means that if you’re looking to snag a Latin lover, Mundo Lingo is the perfect place to start. For a more structured and less alcohol fueled language exchange, check out mate club.

5. Sweat and Socialize
Getting involved in sports is not only good for your mind and body but also a great way to meet new people.
Biking Buenos Aires offers new ways to see the city and get exercise!
Bueno Aires Futbol Amigos is an international bunch that meets for weekly games.
Buena Onda Yoga is an excellent Yoga studios with locations in Palermo and San Telmo where locals and foreigners come together to get it ommmm.

5. You mean…work….for free?
Yes, volunteering is a great way to meet people. Contact organizations like Voluntarios Sin Fronteras to volunteer and meet other young people who have similar interests in a more in depth experience in Buenos Aires.

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