Big difference between Rio and BA
I've only been to BA 3 times in last 3 years but I too found very few bars that were not 'resto-bars' or 'disco-bars' in BA. This one large difference between BA and Rio. Million seems like it fits the bill however each time I went (typically before 10pm it was dead) I am told the reason is that I was going too early. But I'd rather have dinner then sit around at a bar with nobody there and typically dinner takes awhile in BA so finishing early at 1am I don't feel like fucking around at a bar without live music. For a large town BA really does SUCK for live music. Very very few resto-bars have live music. And of one has to decide to have dinner OR catch a show exactly at dinner time.
Notorius is pretty good for live music however the layout makes for lousy bar interaction. All the pussy and couples are seated at tables and the bar which is parallel to the stage is empty. If the locals don't get a table they turn around and walk out. They REFUSE to sit or stand at the bar. In the US or Brasil the bar would be 4 rows deep of people. I think there is a cultural difference involved here.
However that Irish bar not far from Plaza San Martin is LOADED to gills after work and early evening with locals. Locals think of nothing to stand togehter packed at the bar. If you can stand the very concentrated smoke and noise level you will see this place get lots of 2 legged creatures.
I noticed that outside of BA like Rossario and Mendoza the bar action is more traditional even though the towns are smaller. I've got to believe that for all the fanatastic resto-bars in palermo that BA simply doesnt have adult bars. I've not really found any and its not for lack of sticking my head in doors. yeah yeah there are several bars at the plaza in palermo but they are all 'kiddie' bars and fern bars. Even If I were 27 I would feel too old there.
Finally I will add that there is a certain stand-off nish of the local girls with respect to being approached by a stranger in any place in BA. They simply are not of the mindset to respond to stranger. I have gone out with local girls via family and friends connections and asked them about this. They were very very nice to me during the evening and told me they wouldnt give me the time of day at night if I werent introduced to them by a friend etc. We talked about this and they said that if they even respond to a BA locals glance the guys are all assholes and wont leave them alone. That when they go shopping on Santa Fe that they cant even say hi back to a guy or he is going to follow them and over interpet their simple return of gesture so. This is SO different from Brasil. This helps explain my observations. Groups of mixed couples and single girls in BA are friendly to those they feel are 'in group' or safe. But if you approach them they dont perceive that you are 'friendly' and safe. Your milage may vary.......
Even if you arent as cute as I am or as charming as I am or as blah blah blah... if always pays to be nice to the locals because once you start going out with them your circle of introductions will increase. This has been talked about by Jackson and other board members that live here. However for the guy that just drops in once in awhile BA is not going to welcome you with open arms. It not as bad as New York but we tourists arent big deals to the locals.