"Dance the Night Away Catedral is part of the trio of Café del Opera (great coffee, lunch, ice cream) and the high-end gourmet restaurant Opera. The third piece is Catedral, located on the second floor and roof of the historic building sprawling over the corner of José Miguel de la Barra and Merced. Catedral is a bar with great food including their delicious "crudo," Chile 's version of steak tartare with a touch of lemon. However, it's not until later that the party gets started with live music from Thursday through the weekend from jazz to cumbia and local rock bands like Los Tres or Chico Trujillo. José Miguel de la Barra 407, Santiago Centro Phone: 56(2) 2664 3048"

"Santiago's Most Beloved Bar Liguria is an institution in Santiago . It's the default for meeting friends and colleagues over chilled draft beers called schops, or dangerously loaded cocktails. The bar scene is animated and starts in the late afternoon around happy hour and ends in the wee hours of the morning. The kitchen pumps out tasty Chilean bistro-style fare ranging from countryside rabbit in mustard sauce to their much renowned "carne mechada," a braised beef in tomato and red wine chopped up on pasta or sliced down into sandwiches. Get there early to score a table or make friends with the bartender. Best Locations: Metro Tobalaba on Luis Thayer Ojeda & Metro Manuel Montt (address listed here). Photo: Qantas"

"Afternoon "Cortado" or Nightcap in Historic Yungay On a typical corner in historic Barrio Yungay, Boulevard Lavaud, colloquially known as Peluquería Francesa, is a quirky café-restobar taking you back to another era. Sitting above the old barber shop, where older men in the "barrio" still come to have a cut and shave, the restaurant is flanked with old photos, mirrors, and a myriad of antiques. Patrons roll in for afternoon coffee and cake or a light lunch. In the evening, the place fills up as a gathering spot for cocktails and snacks. Compañía de Jesús 2789, corner Libertad Phone: 56 (2) 2682 5243"

"Delectable Sushi & Potent Cocktails There's no sign on this white facade but the thumping house music is a clear giveaway. Etniko, a mainstay on the nightlife scene in Santiago , is all about tasty sushi and sashimi combined with beautiful people and potent cocktails. Inside, a DJ mixes it up and as the night wears on, the inner terrace area often becomes a dance floor. Arrive early to snag a table or call to reserve for a group of friends. Perfect place to start bar hopping in Bellavista any night of the week. Constitución 172, corner Antonia López de Bello, Bellavista Phone: 56 (2) 2732 0119"

"Touch Down at California Cantina Santiago's most popular sports bar is the place to see the big game (soccer, US football, rugby, etc.) streaming from their TVs. Beyond sports, the vibe is an international crowd that congregates many evenings on the terrace to drink beer or participate in the events like an annual Halloween Party, St. Patty's Day, or DJs spinning tunes in benefit for Breast Cancer Research. There's a wide range of artisan beers, powerful cocktails, and typical North American bar fare, like nachos and burgers. Always packed. Las Urbinas 56, Providencia Phone: 56 (2) 2361 1056 Photo: www.saliendo.com"

"Cocktails in a (Quasi) Greenhouse Londoner Tony Hornecker has developed one of the most unique spaces in Santiago to hang out and sip cocktails (and eat something tasty if you fancy). Located in hip Barrio Italia, in an old factory, the place feels like a bar meets restaurant meets greenhouse. There are old movie posters, plant pots, and intimate "living" rooms ideal for hanging out with friends. Be sure to try some of their inventive cocktails like Ketel Bombay Sour. Bilbao 497, Providencia Phone: (2) 2223 0667"

"Deep House Until Dawn La Feria was the first deep house club in Santiago , open for over 15 years. After undergoing a renovation in 2012, it is back on the radars of hipsters and lovers of electronica in the capital. Opening Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, the club brings in well known local and international DJs who have Santiaguinos dancing till the break of dawn. Constitución 275, Bellavista Phone: 56 (2) 2735 8433"

"Get Your Groove On in Bellavista One of the capital's most popular bars (which becomes a nightclub in the wee hours), Bar Constitución feels like the inside of a factory warehouse. The walls are graffitied, and it's got a refreshing mix of people from Santiago hipsters to foreign expats and university students. Bartenders pump out well-mixed cocktails and there's room to hang out or dance to eclectic music from house to funk to ska. Constitución 61, Bellavista Phone: 56 (2) 2244 4569"

"Relive the 80s at Blondie There's a powerful love for the 80s in Chile and in no other club does this shine through like at Blondie. The nightclub is tucked away in a retail shopping center in a gritty area of La Alameda. You'll hear anything 80s from New Wave to techno, goth rock, and theme nights like Pet Shop Boys, Bowie, Madonna, even 90s nights. There are also live concerts from local rock bands like Lucybell. A favorite place to party with the gay community and university students. Alameda 2879 (Metro ULA)"