In a corner of the Villa Crespo neighborhood in Buenos Aires, there is a hidden gem of cocktails: Oh No! Lulu. This bar is inspired by the tiki culture of Polynesia to offer a different experience from the moment you enter until you leave the place.
With an undeniable emphasis on rum and fruit, Oh No! Lulu’s signature cocktail bar is an ideal way to get away from the ordinary. In addition, its location is perfect, as it is not in a tourist area and, at the same time, it is very close to the iconic Palermo neighborhood.
Oh No! Lulu (Buenos Aires): Everything You Need to Know Before Your Visit
What is Oh No! Lulu?
Oh No! Lulu is the first tiki culture bar in Buenos Aires. Since 2019, it has paid homage to the culture of the Polynesian islands, not only through its design and ambiance but also with its cocktail menu, tableware, and food offerings.
While the exterior of the bar gives no hint of what lies within, stepping through the door is like traveling to another dimension through a portal. The Hawaiian style is evident from the moment you enter, offering a warm welcome to the tiki culture.
This tropical paradise in the Villa Crespo neighborhood, just a few blocks from Palermo, is directed by Ludovico De Biaggi. Here, you can enjoy a cocktail experience inspired by tiki traditions, with a strong emphasis on rum, flavored syrups, and fruit juices.
As mentioned, the Hawaiian style of Oh No! Lulu is evident even in the smallest details. For example, the cocktails are served in tiki-style ceramic glasses, shaped like sharks, skulls, and even figurines reminiscent of Jesus.
Additionally, the gastronomic offerings at Oh No! Lulu feature Hawaiian cuisine with Asian and international influences, crafted with high-quality ingredients.
Where is Oh No! Lulu?
Oh No! Lulu is a cocktail bar located in the Villa Crespo neighborhood, at Aráoz 1019, between Lerma Street and Córdoba Avenue. It’s just one block from Scalabrini Ortiz Avenue and close to the border between Villa Crespo and Palermo.
Although it’s not in a heavily touristy area, the bar’s proximity to Palermo and the outlet stores on streets like Malabia, Armenia, and Serrano makes it a somewhat busy area, both in terms of vehicle traffic and pedestrians. However, this activity naturally tends to decrease as midnight approaches.
To the north, whether you head west or east, you’ll find the Palermo neighborhood. South of Oh No! Lulu lies the Almagro neighborhood, while heading east will take you to the boundary between the Balvanera and Recoleta neighborhoods. Westward, Villa Crespo continues up to the borders of Chacarita and Paternal.
While the area around the bar doesn’t boast museums or historical sites, there are other attractions you might find interesting, such as La Viruta Tango Club (one of Buenos Aires’ most prominent dance clubs), Sarkis (a traditional Armenian restaurant), the Mercat Villa Crespo (a marketplace with various shops), and some charming plazas in Palermo like Plaza Unidad Latinoamericana, Plaza Serrano, and Plaza Armenia.
How to Get to Oh No! Lulu?
Getting to Oh No! Lulu Bar won’t be a problem. Firstly, because it’s an area with less tourist traffic. Secondly, because vehicle traffic only significantly increases between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM on Córdoba Avenue, making it a fairly easy area to navigate with your own car for the rest of the day.
If you prefer public transportation, you can take advantage of the various bus lines that run through the area: 15, 57, 106, 110, 140, 145, 151, and 168. Most of these buses have stops on Córdoba and Scalabrini Ortiz Avenues, the latter of which is a two-way street.
If you opt for the subway, known for being a quick and direct mode of transport, the nearest station to Oh No! Lulu Bar is located at Corrientes Avenue and Malabia Street. There, you’ll find the Line B subway station, from which you can take a bus or walk the approximately 10 blocks to the bar.
As mentioned, this part of Villa Crespo is ideal for getting around by car or bicycle. In the case of cycling, you can use the protected bike lanes on Julián Álvarez Street (just one block from Oh No! Lulu) or Córdoba Avenue.
Whether you’re cycling or driving your own car to the bar, we recommend parking in one of the many private parking lots around the area.
Why Visit Oh No! Lulu?
Tiki Cocktail Menu
At Oh No! Lulu, you can enjoy tiki cocktails like nowhere else in Buenos Aires or even Argentina. We might even dare to say it’s one of the best in Latin America.
The bar offers a wide variety of cocktails, from classics like Mai Tai and Piña Colada (the latter with a sparkling finish) to more daring and original creations like Tiki Tonic, Tikigroni, and Endless Summer.
Most of the cocktails feature rum as the main ingredient, along with fresh fruits and herb-based vermouth or aperitifs.
You can also enjoy beers, wines, and non-alcoholic cocktails, and if you fall in love with one of the ceramic tiki glasses, you can purchase one as a souvenir.
Shareable and Individual Dishes
The food options are also themed around tiki culture, just like the cocktails. You can choose from dishes like pork, shrimp, croquettes, halloumi, burgers, tacos, salmon, and even bowls that include rice, noodles, meats, vegetables, and vegan options.
Some dishes are meant to be shared or at least designed with sharing in mind, while others are more individual portions.
Each dish on the menu lists its ingredients and, when necessary, notes the format in which it is served.
Dessert Menu
If you still have room after your cocktails and meal at Oh No! Lulu, you can enjoy one of their desserts. It’s worth noting that the dessert selection is not as extensive as the food and drink options, limited to just three choices that may vary over time.
The desserts feature ingredients like dulce de leche, cookie dough, cream, ice cream, and fruits.
