Whilst staying in Buenos Aires recently, TK experienced VIP status in the city’s top nightclubs for no other reason than being Australian.  

Buenos Aires is renowned as having the “cool” factor.  The women are possibly some of the most attractive and vagarious that I have ever had the pleasure of seeing, and the men have the James Dean coolness down pat.

The vibe of Buenos Aires is all about heading out to clubs at the fashionably late time of 3am.  And the fashion sense of the local Porteños is truly European, and in many respects more cutting-edge.  Designs of clubs, bars and restaurants put London and New York to shame.  Architecture in Puerto Madero, in particular, is as revolutionary as other dockland redevelopments in some of world’s major cities.  There is, of course, an enormous tide of poverty within Argentina, though it is so far removed from some of the lifestyles on show that it is hard to fathom that they coexist.

It is rare as a fly-by-night tourist to experience anything other than the steamy commercial nightclubs of Opera Bay Nightclub and possibly Pacha.  However, I was lucky enough to have a friend with a few connections, and before I knew it I was being chaperoned into the mega-club Mint free of charge, and straight through to the VIP area.

From my experience, VIP areas in European clubs are a little showy.  This possibly sounds like stating that water is wet.  However, European VIP areas are usually only for those who can pay 1000 Euros up-front for a table, or for P Diddy and his entourage.  And they are about as friendly as an icy Russian vixen on a cold winter’s day in Moscow.

That is not to say that the VIP areas of clubs in Buenos Aires are unglamorous.  They are anything but unglamorous, filled with extraordinarily attractive Porteños.  And they are overwhelmingly friendly too, as are all areas in the city’s major clubs.

Mint is a great club, and features some awesome headline acts including some of Argentina’s top DJs.  The VIP area floats over the main arena like a cloud over a field, affording those lucky enough to be in the upper areas a great view of the dance-floor.  Somewhat overpriced drinks flow freely.  My night at Mint ended at 6:30am, whereupon some troopers trekked off to a "recovery" party, and I headed home to actually recover.

That was the Saturday night of the week before I experienced Asia De Cuba on a Wednesday night.  It was only then that I started to get my head around the hedonistic lifestyles of some of the more well-off Porteños.

“So Asia De Cuba is the best option on a Wednesday night, Agustin?” I asked my Argentinean friend.

"Si.  But not tomorrow night.  Tomorrow night you must go to Jet Lounge, there will be a Moet party”, he replied.

“Great!”

“And Friday Rumi is the best bet, very nice girls.”

“Ok…”

“And then Saturday maybe Crobar. Or maybe we come back to Mint.”

So the question begs, do these people ever rest?

“Sunday through to Tuesday night are quieter. Maybe you go out with a few friends for drinks, but nothing big.”

As I entered into Asia De Cuba, built on the waterfront in the heart of Puerto Madero, I came to a sudden understanding.  Not only had Argentinians possibly out-cooled the Europeans, but some of them were living a lifestyle far beyond what most Europeans would ever dream, partying and dancing ’til all hours from Wednesday through to Saturday, week-in-and-week-out.  And the crowds were not rock-stars, famous soap-stars and models.  They were mostly students (although aspirational ones at that).  All these young Portenos appeared to be studying law, advertising, public relations or medicine.

The set-up at Asia De Cuba defined the word chic.  And after dinner was served, the crowd moved as one to the dance-floor.  The crowd is hardly shy either, with all the singles (and even some of the non-singles), making eyes at each other.  The food at Asia De Cuba was impressive, and the cocktails more so.  And there is less of a distinction between the VIP areas and the normal areas as well, which makes for a more inclusive-feeling club.

The Moet party that Agustin has told me about at Jet Lounge was everything he had promised and more.  Bottles of Moet were being splashed down the throats of one of the most attractive crowds to surely ever be in one spot together.  Canapés were gobbled up to complement the champagne, and soon bubbles reminiscent of champagne were floating over people’s heads on the dance-floor to the beats of the house DJ spinning disco beats.

To top of my week on the Friday night, an appearance at the ultra-cool club Rumi beckoned, which was well renowned amongst Agustin’s circle of friends as being one of the most consistent spots for a good party.  Rumi once again has a great set-up, with tables and chairs spreading across what later on becomes a dance-floor.  Rumi attracts a younger set, but still the vibe is one of good-times, albeit featuring a slightly more pretentious air than some of the others.

At the end of the Saturday night, at Crobar, I just about died from exhaustion.  I was left completely confused as to how Porteños keep this pace up, financially and health-wise.

“We love a party here,” Agustin reflected as we chewed down a late Sunday breakfast.  No truer words have been spoken.