Barrio Bellavista, Santiago: Santiago's bohemian district features various sultry jazz clubs that offer quality lineups of international and local talent. La Casa en el Aire (tel. 2/735-6680; www.lacasaenelaire.cl) and El Perseguidor (tel. 2/777-6763; www.elperseguidor.cl) are the city's current jazz hot spots, with nightly performances starting around 11pm and a smooth, romantic candlelit ambience. Or stop by the long-time favorite Club de Jazz (tel. 2/326-5065; www.clubdejazz.cl), where Louis Armstrong once played and now crooning legends perform to a crowd of impassioned jazz devotees.
Catedral, Santiago (tel. 2/664-3048): The chic Catedral is one of the capital's most ebullient bars, and it's where the gilded and glamorous gather to preen and strut. Arrive early in the summer to claim one of the coveted outdoor seats on the rooftop patio.
Club de Jazz, Coquimbo (tel. 51/288784): La Serena's prosaic neighbor, Coquimbo, happens to have the best live jazz bar in Chile, outside of perhaps Santiago, home to another Club de Jazz. Locals would claim that this Club de Jazz, located in the attractive enclave of Barrio Inglés, is the nation's top jazz venue, however, with stellar musicians and a raw and authentic ambience that is lacking in the capital's version.
Mamas & Tapas, Pucón (tel./fax 45/449002): Graze on tapas and appreciate the excellent soundtrack at Pucón's number-one bar, which is never short on atmosphere or musical talent, often courtesy of hip local DJs during the peak summer season.
Termas Los Pozones, Pucón (no phone): The natural setting, 24-hour schedule, and cheap prices of Los Pozones hot springs in Pucón prove a decadent lure for young Chileans and travelers who are keen to keep in a party spirit after the discos have closed up shop for the night.
Mama Rosa Bar at Indigo Hotel, Puerto Natales (tel. 61/413609): After a day out in the blustering weather of Patagonia, slip behind the tall iron door into this converted hostel for a pisco sour (choose from 15 different options), some cool tunes, and warm vibes. Through giant windows, watch the sun set behind the fjords and mountains in the distance and toast the sense of adventure that just oozes through the air here.
Topatangi, Hanga Roa (tel. 32/255-1554): From Thursday to Saturday nights in Hanga Roa, the dance floor at Topatangi Pub floods with Rapa Nui 20- and 30-something island girls and guys grooving to the sounds of local bands that jam everything from traditional sounds to '70s American rock. Don't go before 10pm and don't leave before sunrise.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
