Friendship is a core value for most Argentines, so much so that it has its own celebration day: July 20. 

In Argentina, Friendship Day is usually a day of long lunches, dinners, happy hours and asados, with people organizing gatherings in advance and restaurants seeing a rise in group reservations. Meanwhile, messaging apps and social media are flooded with greetings, photos and nostalgic memories. 

Back in the pre-smartphone era, mobile phone networks were famously overloaded on July 20 because of the sheer volume of calls and text messages exchanged — today, 5G and Whatsapp groups have made it easier.

The decision to celebrate Día del Amigo on July 20 was promoted in the early 1970s by Enrique Ernesto Febbraro, who was inspired by the symbolism of twinned mankind the first moon landing represented.

This year, celebrating friendship couldn’t come on a more timely date. In the aftermath of Argentina’s World Cup final defeat against Spain and the fin de siecle feeling regarding team captain Lionel Messi and coach Lionel Scaloni’s time in Argentina’s national team, comfort among friends is a basic need. So, don’t be surprised to see people packing up the few bars and restaurants open on a Monday night: Argentina takes Día del Amigo very seriously.

Afterwork dinner is the most common plan, but merienda also does the trick: our beloved and conversational third meal, situated comfortably between lunch and dinner, features an array of caffeine and sweets and a great chance to catch up.

Aside from typical dinner options like parrillas and pizzerías, here are some options to spend one of our favorite days in Buenos Aires.

CAFÉ SAN BERNARDO

Av Corrientes 5436
8 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Reservations can be made on Instagram or online

A classic neighborhood cafe in Villa Crespo has turned into a huge multi-game bar and restaurant with pool, billiards, ping pong and foosball tables, as well chess boards and playing cards available for local musts like truco. 

San Bernardo is a perfect spot for a night of drinking and playing. Be sure to sign up for your game of choice at the bar first, so you can sit and have a drink while you wait your turn. 

MUSGO

Báez 315

After celebrating its first Friend’s Day last year, Musgo is once again betting on big gatherings with The Friends’ Table, a six-course sharing menu available exclusively on the evening of July 20. 

Staying true to its “Patagandi” style — a blend of Patagonian ingredients, Asian techniques and Scandinavian aesthetics — the menu features seafood, harissa prawns, beef tartare, white salmon with green curry, duck magret with squid ink risotto and Patagonian morel mushrooms, and lamb tataki served with bao and fermented accompaniments. 

Each table will also receive a welcome cocktail and a Polaroid photo as a keepsake of the evening. The menu costs AR$66,000 per person and is available for tables of four or more.

Free mini baos at KOKO BAR

Arévalo 1501

What better way to celebrate friendship than getting together around a table full of baos? Starting at 7 p.m., and for one night only, Koko Bao Bar is offering unlimited mini baos for AR$19,000, with access to every variety on the menu. 

Options include Roast Beef with braised beef and pickled radishes, Five-Spice Pork Shoulder, Crispy Chicken with sweet chili and aioli, Crispy Tofu with cabbage and peanuts, and Hongos a Caballo, featuring portobello mushrooms, tofu, green beans and a fried egg. 

MAFIA 

Roosevelt 2108

Mafia will open especially on Monday to celebrate the occasion with a laid-back offering  of its acclaimed pizzas alongside a glass of wine. Throughout the evening, board games and card games will also be available to keep the conversation going.

Fried chicken and vinyls at DIEZTREINTA

Cramer 1030

Restaurant and listening bar DiezTreinta in Colegiales will exceptionally open its doors on Monday to celebrate Friendship Day with a special offer, available from 8 p.m., featuring fried chicken sandwiches, grilled pork dumplings, and poached pears with custard. 

Cocktails on offer will include the Kimchi Smash, Aperol Spritz, and Vermouth 1030, all off-menu options.