Barrio Brasil is the working-class bohemian neighbourhood west of the centre, named for the broad plaza at its heart. It developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a middle-class residential district, and the stock of ornate republican-era townhouses — painted in bold colours, with decorative facades — is one of the city's most distinctive architectural assets. Many have been converted into hostels, restaurants, and galleries.
The neighbourhood has a genuine street life: outdoor cafés along Calle Avenida Brasil, independent bookshops, vinyl record stores, and the Galería Víctor Jara cultural centre. The Plaza Brasil itself is a fine square with old trees and benches, surrounded by the best examples of the neighbourhood's early-20th-century architecture. Barrio Brasil and adjacent Barrio Yungay together form the most authentic non-touristy exploration zone in central Santiago.