As hot air swarms the city and a fresh breeze becomes a distant memory, let the rooftop terraces of Buenos Aires waft you into nighttime cool. Welcome in the dusk with an icy drink as the muggy day evaporates off the buildings in the distance. From a magical French Mansion, to a cocktail that tastes like Marlon Brando, the rooftops of Buenos Aires are begging to beckon in the summer with the sun-revelers of the city…

1. Congo, Palermo Hollywood

A hazy oasis in the centre of the city, Congo has one of the best terraces on offer, with a dreamy atmosphere to match. Incomparably trendy, lushly decorated in beige and white and home to an expansive outdoor garden with a tree in the middle, Congo is definitely a top choice for soaking up the twilight breeze.

A quick drink will easily morph into an endless summer night; all too common when it comes to Buenos Aires nightlife. But the twinkling fairy lights and the freshly made drinks offer no good reason to leave.

Though the prices aren’t too hefty, be wary: as the night sky lightens, so too will your wallet. Nevertheless, Congo is a great escape from the insufferable December heat. Let the evening breeze and low beats that tiptoe through the bar lull you into a summer daze.

Congo, Honduras 5329, Palermo Hollywood

The leafy terrace at Milión (Photo: Andy Donohoe)

There is nowhere more instantly magical than Milion Bar. An early 20th century French mansion, now converted into a bar and restaurant, the stunning setting is simply unmatched in romance and beauty. Oozing charm, and enchantingly whimsical, Milion may as well have been sculpted out of droplets of Dior perfume.

The pastel window frames compliment the delicate masonry, exemplified in a grand stone staircase that leads into the vast garden below. It’s not difficult to imagine elegant partygoers of the past spilling out onto the terrace; a century of chatter fragrantly peppering the night sky.

The garden, full of its own mysterious delight, boats giant cactus plants along side trellises of roses and fairy lights. A romantic playground for the nostalgic, or a tranquil backdrop to the night, a drink at Milion seamlessly blurs the twinkling lights of the city with the summer stars above.

Milión, Paraná 1048, Recoleta

3. Le Bar, Centro

Le Bar has everything you could ever wish for from a bar – and more. A rotating schedule of live music performers, combined with interesting video art, topnotch cocktails, and lively décor make Le Bar a must see in Buenos Aires. The roof terrace is the cherry on top. Sink into the slouchy beanbags, or spy on the beautiful people on the floor below through the skylight.

A welcome change from Palermo nightlife, Le Bar is located in Microcentro, and is chock full of more local clientele who really know what’s what in the city. Thursday nights offer a particularly interesting performance, combining an open mic with a stellar selection of 50s-esque pop and soul turned grungy by DJ team, Radio Royale.

Check out the website for the full music schedule: Though you’re unlikely to have heard of the performers, the shows are rarely a letdown – and the mystery is all part of the fun.

Le Bar, Tucumán 422, http://lebarbuenosaires.blogspot.com

4. Post Street Bar, Palermo Soho

Graffiti covers the terrace at Post (Photo: Andy Donohe)

A little more edgier than it’s suave counterparts, Post Street Bar is also an art space. With walls covered in graffiti, and a gallery of street art called Hollywood in Cambodia, this venue certainly doesn’t offer a rest for the weary. In an explosion of colour, neon tigers pop out of the bricks and mysteriously familiar faces emerge from stencils – and that’s before you’ve had a drink.

The exhibit downstairs changes periodically, showcasing new directions in “urban decoration” and the motifs on the wall are provided by different artist’s collectives throughout the city.

The terrace garden, also drenched in bright pinks, emerald greens and fluorescent yellows, literally glows under the BA night sky. The bar is gritty, in keeping with the urban ethos, but the central Palermo location doesn’t place it way off the map. Particularly striking is the regal vaulted dome that hovers just above the cement terrace, uniting historical urban design with it’s contemporary equivalent.

Post Street Bar, Thames 1885, Palermo Soho

5. Nascondiglio Ristorante, Las Cañitas

Embrace nightlife tackiness at Nascondiglio Bar in Las Cañitas. The silver beads that block off the windows suggest more of a strip club than a bar, and the garish décor is a little too try hard. But that just adds to the charm as the bar vacillates between a sleazy massage parlour and a trendy cocktail lounge.

The rooftop bar boasts Miami Beach style white leather cushion benches that sprawl out across most of the deck. When the cocktails – which are actually incredibly good – hit home, they double perfectly as a bed. And that’s not just because you’re seeing two of everything.

However, the best treat Nascondiglio has to offer is the menu. If you’ve ever wondered what Marlon Brando tastes like as a cocktail, look no further than the themed drinks list. Choose between cocktails based on actors, famous Latinos, Aphrodisiacs, Revolutionaries and Footballers. Marlon Brando is a blend of whisky and brandy cream – on the rocks, of course. Evita seems fitting; vodka, citron syrup and orange. And in case it ever crossed your mind, Ghandi is a combination of Absolut Pepper, grapefruit juice and grenadine. ‘The hand of God’ is a heady mix of vodka, white rum, triple sec, gin and coke (the drink). Explains a lot then.

Nascondiglio Ristorante, Baez 390, Las Cañitas