Fun
Montevideo
Montevideo offers many attractions for foreign visitors. From a cultural standpoint, there are many museums with different proposals, ranging from painters museums and particular thematic museums, as Football or Carnival ones.
If you want to go out at night, there is a wide range of options.
Check out some of our suggestions!
The Nostalgia Night
Uruguay has one of the most unusual celebrations in world: the Nostalgia Night.
Taking advantage of a national holiday on the day before, every August 24 Uruguayans celebrate and get all nostalgic for the disco era. Adults, who abandoned pubs, go dancing like John Travolta. Every bar, disco, pub, ballroom, adheres to the celebration to generate one of the most collecting nights in the year.
Yemanjá
Each February 2 is the meeting day for the religious umbandistas. They go to the seafront in Montevideo to worship the goddess of sea, Iemanjá. Believers make boats of diverse materials such as reeds and ruches, and put objects as an offering for the divinity. It’s common to see the boats with female objects as jewelry and make-up. They also use food such as fruits, corn, honey, coconut, watermelon, grapes, peaches, champagne, mineral water and flowers.
It is typical to place blue or white lighted candles in the sand. The combination of boats floating in the sea create one of the best summer scenes for all the curious who assist the celebration.
Pro marihuana
Despite smoking marijuana is allowed and not penalized if it’s for personal consumption in a reasonable amount, the Uruguayan government doesn’t provide any mean to obtain it. For this reason, a “fumata” is organized each year in name of the legalization of cannabis self-cultivation. Thousands of people meet in May to enjoy of an evening where many rock bands play while information of marijuana is given.
Cultural Centres
Museums
There are several museums in Ciudad Vieja that you have to visit. One of them is the Museo Joaquín Torres Garcíawhere only works of this Uruguayan famous artist are displayed. Another option is the Museo Gurvich and the Centro Cultural España where different painting and photography exhibitions take place. Among the most important Uruguayan painters you will find find Pedro Figari, whose museum was founded last summer, where public and private collections are shown. In the Teatro Solís where many spectacles take place, there’s a small museum in its basement with memorabilia from past stages, costumes, etc.
A museum that impacts for the beauty of its works and for its frightening story is the Museo Municipal de Bellas Artes Juan Manuel Blaneslocated on Prado neighborhood. Blanes is regarded as “the painter of the country” because of his large amount of portraits of Uruguay’s history. Two centuries ago, the property belonged to a rich family. The woman living there, Clara García de Zúñiga, had an affair with another man, which led her to be locked in the attic for many years in request of her husband. Despite escaping many times, she was always returned to the attic, where she finally died. The staff working at the museum insists that Clara’s spirit wanders around scaring those who bump into her.
There’s also a Museo Nacional de Artes Visuales , located in Parque Rodó. It has more than 6000 Uruguayan painitngs, including Blanes, Figari, Barradas, Saez and Torres García.
The Museum of Historical Art is just steps away from Red Hostel Montevideo, located in the basement of the City Council. The museum has got collections of Greek, Mesopotamia, Egyptian and Pre-Columbian art. For those who enjoy photography, the Municipal Centre of Photography, located in the City Council tunnel, has an archive of 100.000 historical and contemporary images of Uruguay.
Football has it place in Uruguay Football Museum, located in the Centenario Stadium, home of the first World Cup Competition. There are several football relics of national teams and the Uruguayan team that won the World Cup on 1939 and 1950.
The Carnival Museum is an interesting option for those who want to know the origins of its history. It has also the advantage of being in front of Mercado del Puerto, the most famous gastronomic spot in country. A famous character in Uruguay is the gaucho, a historical figure of the countryside of Uruguay. The gaucho, now extinct, has it own museum, where elements he commonly used, like knifes, spurs and weapons, are preserved.
From the architectural point of view, the Pittamiglio Castle, on Rambla Gandhi, is a place that draws the attention of everyone who passes through there. Its façade has the bow of a ship that represents the Victoria de Samotracia. The castle is full of alchemy elements, such as its labyrinth structure and the doors that lead nowhere. Actually it is the house of the Association of Private Promoters of the Uruguayan Construction. Anyways, it has a guided schedule for those interested to visit it.
The Education and Culture Ministry promotes on December the “Night of Museums”, where most of Uruguayan museums open during the entire night.
Museums
| Museum | Address | Hours |
| Torres García | Peatonal Sarandí 683 | Monday to Friday, from 9:30 to 19.30 hours. Saturdays from 10:00 to 18:00 hours |
| Gurvich | Ituzaingó 1377 (Plaza Matriz) | Monday to Friday, from 10:00 to 18:00 hours. Saturdays from 11:00 to 15:00 horas |
| Centro Cultural España | Rincón 629, esq. Bartolomé Mitre | Monday to Friday, from 11:30 to 20:00 hours. Saturdays from 11:30 to 18:00 hours |
| Teatro Solís | Reconquista esq. Bartolomé Mitre | Consult calendar of events |
| Juan Manuel Blanes | Millán 4015 | Tuesday to Sunday, from 12:15 to 17.45 hours |
| Pedro Figari | Juan Carlos Gómez 1427 | Monday to Friday, from 13:00 to 18:00 hours. Saturdays from 10:00 to 14:00 hours. |
| Artes Visuales | Tomás Giribaldi y Julio Herrera y Reissig | Tuesday to Sunday, from 12:00 to 17:30 hours. |
| Historia del Arte | Ejido 1326 (1er subsuelo de la Intendencia) | Tuesday to Sunday, from 14:30 to 20:00 hours |
| Centro Municipal de Fotografía | Túnel de la Intendencia | Monday to Friday, from 10:00 to 19:00 hours. Saturday from 9:30 to 14:30. |
| Carnaval | Rambla 25 de agosto 210, esq. Maciel | Tuesday to Sunday, from 11:00 a 17:00 horas |
| Gaucho | 18 de Julio 998 (Palacio Heber Jackson) | Monday to Friday, from 10:00 to 16:00 hours |
| Futbol | Dr. Alfredo Navarro (Estado Centenario) | Lunes a viernes de 10:00 a 17:00 hrs. |
| Castillo Pitamiglio | Rambla Gandhi 633 | Guided tours every Thursday at 16:00 Hours, Saturday and Sunday at 17:30. |
Remember before going out:
• No smoking in closed public places (by law since 2006).
• However, if you smoke you have the roof of Red Hostel Montevideo, which has 400 square meters for you to enjoy.
• Carry identification documents.
• You can call a taxi from the hostel; it will be at the door in three minutes (Tel: 141 or 1919).
Stuff you cannot miss:
• Watch the sunset drinking mate with churros (filled with dulce de leche) in the Rambla of Parque Rodó.
• Go out at night (bars and pubs).
• Go to Tristán Narvaja Market early on Sundays, and buy a bauble you never thought you were going to find.
• Have a barbecue in Mercado del Puerto and spend an entire Saturday drinking "medio y medio", a typical sparkling wine.
• Taste the full Canadian Chivito (Uruguayan version of a hamburger) in La Pasiva and Chivetería Marcos.
• Ver toda la ciudad desde la Fortaleza del Cerro, y también desde la terraza de la Intendencia.
• View the city up from Fortaleza del Cerro (Cerro’s Fortress), and also from the terrace of the city council.
• Visit the Centenario Stadium, home of the first World Cup in 1930, which was won by Uruguay.
• Walk across the streets of Montevideo, imagining the stories of Benedetti.
• Attend an auction (adopted as "national sport"), even though you’re not going to buy anything.
• Ask for a "grappamiel" in an old bar from any corner of the city.
• Gamble at the casino.
• Ask for garrapiñada (caramelized peanuts), that candy that gives a sweet scent to the streets of Montevideo.
• Taste "uvita” (bitter or sweet) in the Fun Fun bar in Ciudad Vieja (Old City).
• Have breakfast with bizcochos and the afternoon tea with tortas fritas.
• Dance along the drummer groups music on Saturdays and Sundays afternoons, when they practice for the upcoming Carnival.
Where to go out
ROCK CLUBS:
• Bluzz. From Tuesdays to Saturdays since 6 PM. Canelones 760, corner Ciudadela. (2900 6559).
• Living. Wednesdays – ROCKUMENTALES, Thursdays – THE DANCE, Fridays – PARTIES, Saturdays – SHOWS, Sundays - SHHH! Paullier and Prato 1050. (2402 3795).www.tuliving.com
• Lotus. “Club Banana” or “Lotus Rockroom” dates. At the foot of the World Trade Center.
• Juana. From Thursday 4th of February and all Thursdays. Av. Gianattasio 7740 in front of Puente de las Américas (2604-6533 / 096-123900).
ELECTRONIC CLUBS:
• Lotus.At the foot of the World Trade Center.
• Kalú. Fridays and Saturdays. Open Doors: 3.30 AM. Juan Carlos Gómez 1323. (2915 8916).
• El Pico Bar. Payan 3129 corner 14 de julio.
PUBS:
• Primata. 26 de marzo corner Barreiro. Everyday since 7 PM. (2707 5544).
• The Shannon Irish Pub. Bartolomé Mitre 1318.
• Ché Montevideo. Rambla M Gandhi 630. (2710 6941 / 2711 4387)
GAY CLUBS:
• Il tempo. Gonzalo Ramírez 2121 corner Salterain. info@iltempoclub.com 098 736589
• Cain. Cerro Largo 1833 corner Fernández Crespo. info.caindance@gmail.com. Viernes y sábados a partir de las 00:00
JAZZ:
• Hot Club de Montevideo. Subsoil of de Kalima, Durazno 1952 corner Jackson. (2480 9485).
TANGO:
• El Farolito. Juncal 1413, almost Rincón. 2916 5411.
• Café Las Musas. Canelones 1120 almost Paraguay.
• Fun Fun. Ciudadela 1229. (2915 8005) www.barfunfun.com
LATIN MUSIC:
• Azabache Dance. www.azabachecafe.com Lorenzo Mérola 1790 (next to Velódromo). Salsa Wednesday and Old Discs Thursday for older than 30. (2487-2405, 099-450127). From Wednesday to Saturdays since 9 PM.
• Macarena. www.macarenaonline.com Juncal 1471.
• Mariachi. www.discomariachi.com.uy Also open on Sundays. Facebook: Mariachi Clásico de Veras. 2901 6264.
OTHERS:
• Up. Rambla Wilson in front of Parque Rodó games. Second floor. Women older than 21, and men older than 23.
• Gata Bacana. www.gatabacana.com.uy Av. L. A Herrera 1458 y F. Bauzá, Pocitos. 2622 2098, 097 013754. info@gatabacana.com
• Tres Perros. Baldomir 2502. 2708 8640.
RURAL:
• Cimarrón. www.cimarron.com.uy Open from Wednesday to Saturdays. Luis Alberto de Herrera 1573, corner Líber Arce. Tel. 2622 3136. reservas@cimarron.com.uy
• Al Norte. Soriano 1340 esquina Ejido. Open from Wednesday to Saturdays.
Casinos
One interesting thing you should know about casinos in Uruguay is that you are allowed to go if you are over 18 years old. One famous casino is Casino Parque Hotel, also Headquarters of the Mercosur, located in the Rambla Wilson. You can play solts from 11 a.m to 3 a.m and cards from 3 p.m to 3 a.m.
In Plaza Independencia is the Radisson Victoria Plaza, which has slot machines 24 hours a day and card games from 1 p.m to 4 a.m.
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