Baar Fun Fun

Baar Fun Fun is a traditional bar (boliche) located in the Ciudad Vieja (Old Town) of Montevideo, Uruguay. It was founded in 1895 by Augusto López and first operated in the old Mercado Central on Reconquista street. Over the decades it moved to several locations within the Ciudad Vieja before settling in 1988 in the building of the new Mercado Central, with access from Ciudadela street. The bar remained there until renovation works began for the installation of the headquarters of the Banco de Desarrollo de América Latina (CAF). During those works, between 2014 and 2019, it operated temporarily at Soriano 922, next to the Sala Verdi. In March 2019 it returned to the old Mercado Central area, where it now operates in a space integrated into the remodelled building. The establishment has developed as a family business. After Augusto López, its direction passed to his descendants, among them Gonzalo Acosta López, great-grandson of the founder. The bar is closely linked to the artistic and musical life of Montevideo, particularly to tango and Río de la Plata popular song. Over its history it was frequented by artists such as Carlos Gardel, Pedro Figari, Aníbal Troilo, Julio Sosa, Francisco Canaro, Astor Piazzolla, Osvaldo Pugliese, Olga Delgrossi, Rubén Rada and Lágrima Ríos, among others. Carlos Gardel visited the establishment in 1933 and, according to the tradition preserved by the bar, sang a cappella after drinking Uvita; the old tin counter associated with that visit is kept in the establishment. Among the drinks created at the establishment are the Pegulo and the Uvita. The latter became one of its signature preparations and continues to be made according to a formula whose composition remains reserved by the family; the Uvita formula was patented. The bar has also hosted musical activities and appears in audiovisual productions linked to Uruguayan popular culture; in 2015, for example, it was featured in the television programme Boliches, el corazón del barrio. Today Baar Fun Fun remains an active, privately owned family business and a landmark of Montevideo's traditional bar culture.

Baar Fun Fun was founded in 1895 by Augusto López and began operating in the old Mercado Central on Reconquista street in Montevideo's Ciudad Vieja. Over the following decades it occupied various locations within the Ciudad Vieja. In 1988 it settled in the building of the new Mercado Central, with access from Ciudadela street. The bar remained at that site until renovation works began for the installation of the headquarters of the Banco de Desarrollo de América Latina (CAF). During those works, between 2014 and 2019, it operated provisionally at Soriano 922, next to the Sala Verdi. In March 2019 it returned to the old Mercado Central area, where it currently operates in a space integrated into the remodelled building. The establishment developed as a family business. After Augusto López, its direction passed to his descendants, among them Gonzalo Acosta López, great-grandson of the founder. The bar became closely tied to the artistic and musical activity of Montevideo, particularly tango and Río de la Plata popular song. Its history includes visits by artists such as Carlos Gardel, Pedro Figari, Aníbal Troilo, Julio Sosa, Francisco Canaro, Astor Piazzolla, Osvaldo Pugliese, Olga Delgrossi, Rubén Rada and Lágrima Ríos, among others. Carlos Gardel visited the establishment in 1933 and, according to the tradition preserved by the bar, sang a cappella after drinking Uvita; the old tin counter associated with that visit is kept in the establishment. The bar has also hosted musical activities and appeared in audiovisual productions linked to Uruguayan popular culture; in 2015 it was included in the television programme Boliches, el corazón del barrio.

• 2019

  Returns in March to the old Mercado Central area, in a space integrated into the remodelled building.

• 2015

  Featured in the television programme Boliches, el corazón del barrio.

• 2014

  Begins temporary operation at Soriano 922, next to the Sala Verdi, during renovation works.

• 1988

  Moves to the building of the new Mercado Central, with access from Ciudadela street.

• 1933

  Carlos Gardel visits the establishment; tradition holds that he sang a cappella after drinking Uvita.

• 1895

  Founded by Augusto López; begins operating in the old Mercado Central on Reconquista street.

Historic traditional bar and tango landmark in Montevideo's Ciudad Vieja, operating as a family business since 1895.

• Uvita

  Signature cocktail created at the establishment; its formula was patented and remains a family secret.

• Pegulo

  A drink created at the establishment.

1. 1Baar Fun Fun official websitebarfunfun.com
2. 2Baar Fun Fun – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Baar Fun Fun – Wikipedia (Spanish)es.wikipedia.org