Category Archives: santiago

Gay Guide to Santiago Chile

In 2015, Chile legalized same-sex civil unions lifting the nation one step higher on the list of gay travel destinations.  Chile’s energetic capital city Santiago has been the epicenter for the country’s flourishing gay culture with a multitude of hotelsrestaurants, bars, and adults-only places to visit.

This guide to gay Santiago has a particular focus on the Bellavista neighborhood, the heart of the city which lies between the Mapocho River and San Cristóbal Hill.  Bellavista is known as Santiago’s bohemian quarter, with new hip restaurants, boutiques, and avant-garde galleries occupying loft spaces and lordly mansions that punctuate tree-lined streets awash with colorful antique homes. Many of the city’s esteemed intellectuals and artists live in Bellavista, following in the footsteps of its most famous denizen, Pablo Neruda.

In the evening, Bellavista pulses to the beat of music pouring from its many discos and bars. Gay nightlife is easy to find on the colorful Bombero Núñez street.  On weekends, there is an evening handicrafts market that runs the length of Pío Nono. The area is served by the Baquedano Metro subway station, located just across the river.  (Try our Google map of gay Santiago to help navigate the city.)

Update for the VamosGay 2020 Guide to Santiago
Last year, Chile and a number of other countries were rocked by protests and civil unrest.  In October 2019, the capital city Santiago became ground zero for the Chilean protests.  Santiago is still one of the top LGBT-friendly destinations and social life continues despite the protests near major landmarks.  But, check international news reports and be aware of the situation.

Bars & Clubs

A to Z listing of every bar, lounge, and club.

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Hotels

Gay-friendly places to stay in Santiago.

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Restaurants & Cafes

Meals to remember, or just a late night snack.

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Sex & Saunas

An up-to-date list of Santiago’s hottest spots.

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Gay Saunas, Cinemas, and Sex Shops of Santiago Chile

Following the collapse of its military dictatorship (1973 – 1990) Chile has steadily made strides towards a more progressive society. Sex between partners of the same sex became legal in 1998.  And, on October 22, 2015, Chile recognized same-sex civil unions.

Lke most big cities in Latin America, Santiago has many gay bars and clubs.  For those looking for something extra, here is a list of the most active gay-friendly sex shops, cinemas, and saunas in the city.   Continue reading Gay Saunas, Cinemas, and Sex Shops of Santiago Chile

Hotels & Places to Stay in Gay-Friendly Santiago Chile

For the party boy who just needs a place to crash close to the nearest gay club, to cultured traveler looking for a boutique hotel, Santiago has something for everyone.  The following short list of gay-friendly places to stay are mostly in Bellavista, the cultural heart of the city with easy access to both museums, restaurants, and nightlife.

The Aubrey

Luxurious boutique hotel in a converted mansion in city’s cultural center, Bellavista.  Each of the rooms at the Aubrey is individually decorated with stylish bathrooms.

The Aubrey has a heated outdoor swimming pool with 3 massage jets and an integrated jacuzzi. There’s an indoor/outdoor bar with poolside service.

A complimentary Brazilian breakfast is served each morning

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Hotel Luciano K

One of our Editor’s personal favorites, the Luciano K is stylish, yet comfortable, art deco, yet contemporary.  Not easy to describe but hard to resist falling in love with.  Check the link for a full list of amenities and photo galleries.

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Dominica Hostel

Set in an elegant house with comfortable common areas, Dominica Hostel is a short walk from poet Pablo Neruda’s house. Rooms are private with shared bathrooms.  Dominica Hostel is a great low-budget option to stay in Bellavista.

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Hotel Boutique Tremo

Beautiful four-story colonial house in Bellavista with modern design and amenities.  Plan your day over breakfast in the courtyard with the help of friendly and helpful staff.  Gay friendly, too!

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Hotel Patio Yungay

Reviews are almost 100% positive for this bed-and-breakfast located in Bellavista, but a few blocks away from the noisy ground zero of the city’s nightlife.  Click below for a photo gallery and more info on Hotel Patio Yungay.

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Mister BnB

Stay with gay locals while you explore the city.  Several great apartments in Santiago are now available.  Click below to start your search.

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Mito Casa Hotel Boutique

In an Art-Deco style building with a rooftop terrace overlooking Providencia, Mito Casa Hotel offers elegantly decorated rooms with hardwood floors. All of rooms feature minibars and heating. A buffet breakfast is served daily in a charming breakfast room.  Free bikes can be requested to explore the city. Guests can also unwind in the terrace, enjoying scenic views of Santiago. Bars and restaurants in trendy Bellavista are around the corner.

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SCL Suites

True apartment-style living.  This is a great choice if you all of the amenities of your own one bedroom apartment.  There’s a full kitchen, a living area with stylishly modern furnishings, and even a small balcony.  One issue is noisy neighbors on the weekends, but if you are out partying until the crack of dawn yourself, it’s not an issue.  There is a front gate, but no hotel-style front desk with English speakers.

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W Santiago

Stylish and sophisticated, the 5-star W Santiago offers a roof-top swimming pool and luxury guest rooms. The hotel is centrally located, with panoramic views of the Andes Mountains.  The W Santiago also hosts the hip gay-friendly part Lobo.

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For a complete list of hotels and apartments in Santiago, visit Booking.com for the lowest prices.

Bars and Clubs of Gay Santiago

Nightlife explodes on the weekends in Santiago, so make sure you are well rested.  Luckily, bar crawling is quite easy if you stay in the “gayborhood” of Bellavista.  (Check out our guide for gay-friendly hotels and places to stay in Santiago for the best options.) Many of the bars and clubs are on Bombero Núñez, a street which shines with colorful graffiti by day, and colorful Chilenos by night. Continue reading Bars and Clubs of Gay Santiago

Restaurants and Cafes of Gay Friendly Santiago Chile

Like most big cities, Santiago offers a wide spectrum of options from high-end restaurants to late-night fast food joints.  For gay travelers the cluster of restaurants, bars, and clubs in Bellavista are extremely popular.  The “restaurant row” of the neighborhood is Pio Nono street which is easily walkable from the string of gay bars on Bombero Núñez.

Aside from restaurants, a decent percentage of Santiago’s gay bars offer tapas-style menus.  (Use the VamosGay Google Map of Santiago to plan your trip, or navigate the city on your mobile phone.)

Bocanariz

José Victorino Lastarria 276
Santiago, Chile      Google Map »
Winner of the TripAdvisor’s 2015 Travelers’ Choice Award, Bocanariz is the place to try Chilean wines.  The accompanying food menu is equally phenomenal.  Bocanariz is located in the Lastarria district, home to the Museo de Bellas Artes, and adjacent to the gay neighborhood Bellavista.

Cazaluz

Avenida Italia 805
Santiago, Chile      Google Map »
Excellent cuisine from Spain in a stylish setting.  Cazaluz is located in Santiago’s Italian district within a 25 minute walk, or a short cab ride to Bellavista.

Ciudadano Restaurant

Seminario 400
Santiago, Chile      Google Map »
Great Italian food with a trendy crowd.  Ciudadano attracts mostly hip young heteros, but gay guys often stop by for beer and pizza.

El Caramaño

Purisima 257
Santiago, Chile      Google Map »
Very authentic Chilean food.  Family-style dining where you can try the classics of Chilean cuisine.  No hipsters, just great food.

El Toro

Loreto 33
Santiago, Chile      Google Map »
Very gay-friendly restaurant celebrating the flavors of Spain.  The waiters keep things lively.

Fuente Alemana

Avenida Libertador Bernardo O´Higgins 58
Santiago, Chile      Google Map »
Fans of gigantic tasty sandwiches adore this neighborhood restaurant.

Galindo

Dardignac 98
Santiago, Chile      Google Map »
Traditional dining spot with Chilean dishes that even the young and trendy can’t resist.  One of the best places to try chorrillana, Chile’s most iconic (and heavy) fast food.

Los Miserables

Calle Antonia Lopez de Bello 14
Santiago, Chile      Google Map »
No, that’s not a typo for a French restaurant.  The name really is Los Miserables and it’s popular Bellavista Mexican joint.  Fans of San Francisco taquerias will feel right at home with tasty burritos and tacos.

Patio Bellavista

Pio Nono 73
Santiago, Chile      Google Map »
Located in the heart of the neighborhood, Patio Bellavista is home to over a twenty restaurants, food stands, and gift shops.

White Rabbit

Antonia López de Bello 118
Santiago, Chile      Google Map »
Weekend brunch with friends is not as popular in Chile as it is in Europe and the US.  However, Bellavista bistro White Rabbit may change that with their phenomenal brunch menu.  See for yourself at the White Rabbit website.