The Cordoba bar featured in several argentine films

Time Out

07-05-2025

The fact that Guillermo Francella sat at the bar during the filming of a movie or that it was featured in various productions like Tokio, starring Graciela Borges and Luis Brandoni, are just a few details of the extensive and significant history of La Cova del Drac, one of the classics in Córdoba Capital's bar scene.
Located in the Güemes neighborhood, long before it became the gastronomic hub it is today, "La Cova" (as it is known in Córdoba) has been around for 13 years without interruption. Cocktails and jazz are also part of the identity of this iconic place.
'La Cova del Drac arose from the growing need for a unique gastronomic space in Córdoba. The idea was to combine not only cocktails but also deeper gastronomy. We envisioned a bar that wasn't just for students but for everyone,' explains Matías Leanez, its owner.
"We envisioned a bar that wasn't just for students but for everyone"
It's located in an area of the city closely tied to students: just a few blocks away is the Nueva Córdoba neighborhood, favored by young people who come to study in "La Docta." It's also two blocks from the Paseo de los Artesanos and a few steps from galleries of art and design.
The Uncompromising Identity of This Córdoba Bar
From its façade to its décor and menu, La Cova's identity is clear as soon as you step through the door. Even its name underwent several changes—there were discussions about album and song titles—until it settled on the current one, which refers to a jazz space by the same name in Barcelona. "It's very nice and very family-oriented," adds Leanez.
The musical genre has been part of the bar's DNA from the beginning and was reinforced thanks to its role in the film industry. This happened when the producers of Tokio chose this place for some of the scenes involving a jazz orchestra. The musicians who recorded there back then continue to play there today.
"In 2018, we started having live shows, and different jazz artists began to appear, many of whom now feature prominently in our schedule," explains Leanez. "Today, it's the city's jazz bar."
"Today, it's the city's jazz bar"
La Cova del Drac: A Classic Also in Flavors
La Cova's cuisine is identified with tavern-style food. "Our difference has always been offering simple, accessible products for all kinds of people. Gastronomy that's easy for people to identify, like red meats, some fish, something eye-catching, but not gourmet food," he clarifies.
One of the signature dishes on the menu is the braised pork shoulder with creamy spiced rice and roasted vegetables. The meat has a special flavor because it is cooked for several hours with Imperial Roja beer, which imparts caramel and nutty notes.
Another dish we recommend from the menu is grilled pacú with pico de gallo sauce and broken potatoes, or tacos made with marinated pork tongue and pulp in citrus, served in corn tortillas with pico de gallo sauce. For pairing, the menu offers many options, but a good choice could be a pint of Imperial IPA, a hoppy beer with a citrus aroma that complements the intense flavors.
The menu also features dishes like black fettuccine with sautéed squid, garlic, parsley, and lime, as well as nine varieties of pizza. Cocktails take center stage, and beers are served on tap. For dessert, the tiramisu with coffee liqueur and dark cocoa is undoubtedly the favorite. If you enjoy dark beer, an Imperial Stout is the perfect finishing touch.
The Bar Featured in Argentine Films and TV Series
In addition to Tokio, we can add the recent Granizo, starring Guillermo Francella, Pasional, a film produced between Argentina and the Philippines, and the series Relaciones Públicas, starring Jorge Marrale, Ricardo Bertone, Juan Gil Navarro, and Liz Solari.
"I don't know why they chose La Cova so often. The bar is small, and I think they almost always choose the same locations for shoots," he details.
The corner of Belgrano and Fructuoso Rivera is now famous not only for appearing on screen (just with Granizo, more than 40 million people have glimpsed the bar), but also for being a place that has chosen an identity it has maintained over time. This has made it a favorite for those who want to listen to jazz or sit at the same bar where Francella once did.