…A most urgent question, posed many a newly-arrived expat. Here are links to a few web sites that have the latest and most complete info on entertainment and nightlife in Chile. Santiago gets the focus, as usual, but most of the sites include regional events as well.
Revolver Magazine Agenda
By far the most complete English resource for cultural happenings in Santiago. Check it out even if you’re staying in.
Wikén Panoramas
If El Mercurio is Santiago’s most respected newspaper, then this publication is the official list of things to do when you go out. Nice interface, lots of pictures.
Carretes.cl
Carrete is one of those hard-to-translate Chilean words that gringos end up using even while speaking English. I’d say the verb carretear is best translated as to party, that is, anything people teenage and older do for fun that isn’t arguably educational. This web site actually does include some intellectually improving events, but a healthier portion of its bandwidth is dedicated to bars, clubs and parties.
Ticketmaster Chile
You may be thinking, Why would I want to get carrete ideas from a web site I know is going to overcharge me for every single event on it? You may not use this site too often, but if you hear that your favorite britpop band is coming to Chile, you can trust that the official information will be on this site– and of course you can buy the tickets here, too.
Miercoles Po’
A well-known “cultural exchange” event for foreign students and their local counterparts to get to know each other better. Every Wednesday in Santiago.