Punta del Este's bar and nightlife scene is almost entirely seasonal. From December through Carnival in February, the beach clubs along Playa Brava — and a string of clubs on the main strip — operate until dawn. Moby Dick at the port has been a fixture for decades, with a good terrace and a crowd that spans Uruguayan locals and Argentine tourists in roughly equal measure.
In low season the place quietens dramatically. A handful of cafes around the central square stay open year-round; the port area is livelier than the beach strip in winter. If you are visiting outside the main season, Punta del Este is really a morning and afternoon town — excellent for long lunches and slow evenings rather than nightlife.