Before you stands Bar El Faro, a beacon of history and community. Founded in 1931 by a Spanish family named Oviedo, El Faro began as a humble general store. It sold coffee and sandwiches. Over time, it evolved into the beloved bar we see today.
El Faro sits at the edge of four distinct neighborhoods: Villa Urquiza, Parque Chas, Villa Pueyrredón, and Agronomía. This unique location sets it apart from the typical tourist trail. Yet, it has become a cherished spot for tango aficionados.
Imagine El Faro in its heyday during the 1960s and 70s. It was open 24 hours a day. Villa Urquiza thrived with the train’s rhythm. People came from San Martin and Villa Ballester. El Faro was the heart of it all.
In 2007, Hugo Cavalles took over a struggling El Faro. He revitalized the kitchen and bathrooms. He kept the historic counter, tables, and chairs. Hugo added homemade dishes for lunch and fresh croissants for breakfast. Slowly, El Faro revived.
Hugo decorated the walls with photos and newspaper clippings. These celebrated El Faro’s history. There were also images of regulars like journalist Víctor Hugo Morales. El Faro became a visual tapestry of its past and present.
“I’ve known El Faro since I was a kid,” Hugo says. “It’s a neighborhood landmark.” Before owning the bar, Hugo had no restaurant experience.
One of El Faro’s busiest times is between 6:00 and 7:30 AM. Few other businesses are open then. Transport workers and delivery drivers stop for fresh croissants.
For lunch, El Faro offers classic dishes. These include stews, lentils, pasta, and milanesas with fries. On national holidays, they serve locro, pastelitos, and tortas fritas. El Faro is also open on Saturdays. They added Sunday lunches last year.
Since 2007, Hugo has hosted tango shows on Friday nights. This is the only night El Faro stays open late. Hernán Cucuza Castiello has performed at the bar for 17 years. Before the pandemic, shows were every Friday. Now, they are once a month.
Important tango figures have graced El Faro’s stage. These include bandoneon player Rubén Juárez and singers Alberto Podestá, “Chino” Laborde, Dolores Solá, and Ariel Ardit. Rubén Juárez loved El Faro. After his death, his daughter brought his bandoneon to the bar.
El Faro has a loyal clientele. Hugo greets many by name. He offers newspapers. Some customers have been coming for three generations.
El Faro displays little lighthouse souvenirs. These are gifts from patrons returning from their travels. A sign inside reads: “El Faro is where memories, triumphs, and sorrows parade.”
El Faro offers a refuge from the outside world. It is a place to gather, chat, and remember life’s moments. El Faro is more than just a bar. It is a community cornerstone.