[image]
[title]October 19th was marked on the calendar, not only because Time Out and Imperial organized an unmissable event, but also because it was one of the best weather days of the year. Bright sunshine, some clouds providing a break, and a soft summer breeze slowly made its presence felt.
Imperial's Beerhouse, which boasts one of the best terraces in the city, became the setting for a true celebration. Over 1,500 people gathered to enjoy the first edition of the Time Out Experience by Imperial, featuring Buenos Aires’ finest chefs. There was no shortage of food or beer—tons of beer were sold.
Palermo pulsed with the rhythm of Time Out Experience by Imperial
Around 7 p.m., Imperial's Beerhouse turned into a grand house welcoming everyone with cold beer and live music. The tasting options were incredibly diverse: from Oli’s famous Shrimp Roll (prawns and cocktail sauce) to a classic ribeye sandwich from La Cabrera, one of Argentina's most renowned steakhouses.
“My first thought about the event is that I’m afraid we’ll run out of stock because I feel like this place is going to fill up. The weather is beautiful, perfect for enjoying beer and trying different foods with friends. I see people from places other than Buenos Aires,” said Mena Duarte, creator of Tita La Vedette, one of the best women-led restaurants in the city, as the first Triangolis stuffed with portobellos, oyster mushrooms, and champignons with cashew cream cheese were served. A true delight!
A short walk between the various stalls surrounding the Beerhouse revealed the variety of the crowd: families with children, young adults, teenagers, mothers with daughters, couples, and large groups of friends roamed the venue, sitting down to enjoy the first flavors of the evening. Among them was Marina Rocha, Head of the Gastronomic Development Department of the Buenos Aires City Government.
“I heard about Time Out Experience by Imperial from a friend who lives here. I’m here for a month, on vacation. This event feels like something that would happen in the U.S., with lots of food options and the same organization. It feels like home to me,” said Amanda, a Colorado native who attended the event with a group of friends.
“The event is amazing. I think it’s very well organized, with many options from excellent restaurant chefs. I haven’t eaten yet, but I’m waiting to try the pizza from Ti Amo because I saw it ranked as one of the best in the world,” shared Bárbara Franco, a Brazilian digital nomad, who discovered the event through Time Out’s Instagram.
You may also be interested in: 10 Buenos Aires neighborhoods that don’t get much hype, but deserve a visit
Just like her, many visitors opted for the pizzas that sisters Carola and Victoria Santoro prepared for this special sunset, as evidenced by the constantly renewing queue at their pizza stall. “People are starting with the Margherita, which is the simplest, most classic one. Later in the night, they’ll probably go for the potato one, something heartier,” Victoria explained, adding: “I love this communion of chefs in the same place.”
"I love this communion of chefs in one place"
The variety also extended to the gastronomic offerings: in addition to the aforementioned dishes, there were artichoke parcels with quartirolo cheese and lemon from Las Flores (with a flaky pastry that crumbled and melted in your mouth) and a double beef patty burger with blue cheese and mushrooms from Pedro Demuru, host of the Beerhouse by Imperial.
A party in every sense... with the best host!
Every great party has a great host, and Time Out Experience by Imperial was no exception: Donato de Santis, Imperial’s ambassador, took on the role for the six hours of the event. He welcomed guests, toasted with cold beers, took photos with visitors, and even streamed some of the moments.
“This is a truly unique experience due to the location, the layout, and the participants. There’s a great mix of gastronomic offerings, with beer as the common denominator,” said the Cucina Paradiso chef, who, as a good host, joined Dolli Irigoyen on stage as she led a masterclass for the audience.
"There’s a great mix of gastronomic offerings, with beer as the common denominator"
“I’m happy to be part of this Time Out presentation in Buenos Aires. I’m grateful to the audience that comes, follows me, takes photos, tastes, and shares. Plus, working with Donato was fantastic because we’re friends, and we complement each other very well. It was a great experience,” Dolli shared.
"I am grateful to the audience"
At around 9 p.m., the lights of Buenos Aires turned on, creating a stunning backdrop for the event. The bleachers at the Imperial Beerhouse filled with groups enjoying delicious food while admiring views of the Argentine Polo Field. Meanwhile, the stage transitioned from the DJ booth to accommodate a few microphones. The lights dimmed, and Rochi Igarzábal stepped up to sweeten the night with her voice.
You may also be interested in: The major musical shows remaining in 2024
The setlist began with soft boleros, moved into livelier salsa tunes, and concluded with “Un montón de estrellas,” a Latin music classic that got several people up to dance and sing along. “It was a super enjoyable experience. The crowd was really into it, dancing and singing. Someone even told me, ‘I heard you were playing here, so I biked over.’ Those moments are so heartwarming for me,” the singer shared after her performance.
That moment served as a perfect pause and the necessary prelude for dessert, as guests began to wrap up the evening. The dessert options were equally varied: from Maru Botana’s classic Rogel cake to an almond ice cream with hot chocolate sauce from Obrador Florida. Where there’s dessert, there’s coffee, and Cuervo provided a range of espresso and filtered coffee options.
“If we had to pair our coffee with another dish from the event, it would undoubtedly be the almond ice cream from Obrador Florida. It’s always nice to combine flavors, and maybe even try an affogato with the ice cream and a shot of coffee. It’s the perfect pairing,” suggested Pablo Tokatlian, one of the creators of Cuervo Café.
What a magical night in Buenos Aires
“Now, ragazzi, we’re on the dance floor, and we’re going to start with some tunes,” echoed through the speakers, a perfect phrase that kicked off the grand finale. Donato joined M¥KKA for the night’s final act. “He won’t do it,” many thought, but he did. Like a true showman, the Italian chef grabbed the microphone and sang “Pedro” and “Notti Magiche,” encouraging the crowd to join in.
This led to more upbeat, modern songs, people dancing, singing, and even balancing on chairs with their arms raised. As with any great party, the night ended even better than it began. The atmosphere was unbeatable, at a venue that transformed into the perfect meeting point, where over 1,500 people enjoyed an unforgettable sunset.
Yes, the Time Out Experience by Imperial was a true celebration.