The Best Spots To Watch Argentine Tango in Buenos Aires (2024)

Born in the dockyards of Buenos Aires over a century ago, Argentine tango has become inextricably tied to the city’s cultural identity. The sensual partner dance evolved from a roguish competition of fancy footwork between men and was only truly embraced by many porteños (the inhabitants of Buenos Aires) after it found fame in Europe. Now, the Argentinian capital celebrates the art form with an annual international tango festival, but there are plenty of places to see the sultry dance year-round. From watching dance shows set on sublime stages to viewing social dance gatherings in clubs during milongas — here are nine spots that we recommend travelers check out to watch tango in Buenos Aires.

1. Astor Piazzolla Theatre

The Best Spots To Watch Argentine Tango in Buenos Aires (1)

Photo: LongJon/Shutterstock

If you want to be wowed by Argentine tango, you should seek out tango espectáculo stage shows. These grand, precisely choreographed productions incorporate difficult lifts and tricks from professional competitive dancers. The tango show at the beautifully restored Astor Piazzolla Theatre, which presents a variety of Argentine tango dance numbers, is the best spot for it. This particular tango show pays tribute to renowned musician Astor Pantaleón Piazzolla — his iconic tango songs have featured in Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance multiple times. The show runs each evening at 10:00 PM and costs just less than $40 USD for each adult ticket.

Where: Florida 165 Galería Güemes, C1005 AAC, Buenos Aires, Argentina

2. Faena Hotel

The Rojo Tango Show at the Faena Hotel features a cast of athletic dancers who perform contemporary Argentine tango choreography alongside live musicians and singers. While some tango espectáculo shows seat hundreds of guests, the Rojo Tango Show takes place in an intimate venue. This exclusive atmosphere adds to the performance’s price tag, but you can save money by only purchasing show admission — rather than the dinner and show combination ticket. The dinner and show experience begins at 8:30 PM and will set you back $260 USD, while the 90-minute show alone starts at 10:00 PM and shaves the price to $220 USD.

Where: Martha Salotti 445, C1107 CMB, Buenos Aires, Argentina

3. La Ventana: Barrio de Tango

For a more traditional Argentine tango show, head to La Ventana in the neighborhood of San Telmo. You will see couples dancing in synchrony during the Traditional Tango and Folklore Show, following the music of either a quintet or a larger orchestra. La Ventana also offers a ticket that includes dance lessons, for those who would like to try tango before sitting back and admiring the pros. Daily tango lessons cost $90 USD. The 90-minute show begins at 10:00 PM with ticket prices starting at $70 USD.

Where: Balcarce 431, C1064AAI CABA, Argentina

4. Café Tortoni

The Best Spots To Watch Argentine Tango in Buenos Aires (4)

Photo: Petrenko Andriy/Shutterstock

Café Tortoni is famous for its selection of delectable treats and its beautiful decor, but it is also well-known for its Argentine tango performances. The cafe houses a small stage for Argentine tango shows in the 55-seat Alfonsina Storni Room, where a few different performances take place throughout the week. Tango Sensations, which runs daily from Monday to Friday, is a good bet — and you’ve got two chances to see the show each evening. The first seating is at 8:00 PM, followed by the next at 10:00 PM; admission for either showing only costs about $13 USD. If you’re interested in learning more about the history of the Argentine tango, you can easily visit the Argentine Tango Museum located above the cafe.

Where: Av. de Mayo 825, C1084 CABA, Argentina

5. Salón Canning

When you check out the Argentine tango scene at milongas rather than at tango espectáculo shows, you’ll often find more locals than tourists and admission rarely exceeds $10 USD. Although many dancers fill the club, you can pull up a seat to watch the dancers during the milonga with no need to participate. Just be sure to show up after the dance lessons or you may be encouraged to join. One such milonga is Milonga Parakultural at Salón Canning. Arrive early to snag a table near the band, and watch the couples swirl around the wooden dance floor. Classes run at 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM before milongas begin at 11:00 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. If you have the energy, stay until the venue closes at 4:00 AM.

Where: Raúl Scalabrini Ortíz 1331, C1414DOA CABA, Argentina

6. La Catedral Club

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Photo: La Catedral Club/Facebook

The high ceilings of La Catedral Club are humbled by mismatched furniture strewn around the space. The dancehall remains open from 11:00 AM to 4:00 AM each day of the week, attracting a loyal young crowd of 20 to 30-somethings. La Catedral Club has a relaxed atmosphere, and visitors can enjoy food from the on-site bar and kitchen. The club is welcoming, low-key, and particularly inviting to beginning dancers — you will see dancers of all levels here. You can get into La Catedral for as little as $2 USD.

Where: Sarmiento 4006, C1197 AAH, Buenos Aires, Argentina

7. La Viruta Tango Club

The Best Spots To Watch Argentine Tango in Buenos Aires (7)

Photo: La Viruta Tango Club/Facebook

La Viruta Tango Club, affectionately referred to as “La Viru,” has been a gathering spot for dancers since 1994. Located in La Palermo district, this club has one of the city’s largest dance floors, which fills up with dancers of all ages and backgrounds. Admission to milongas at La Viruta includes bilingual dance classes in English and Spanish that are meant to suit dancers of all experience levels. If you’d rather not dance, you’re welcome to arrive whenever, just note that the later you stroll in, the more likely you’ll find more advanced dancers in your company. La Viru’s hours vary, depending on the day of the week. It closes around midnight on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; it stays open until 6:00 AM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Many tango orchestras play at the venue during the evening, providing live music for the large audience of social dancers.

Where: Armenia 1366, C1414 DKD, Buenos Aires, Argentina

8. El Beso: The House of Tango

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Photo: El Beso/Facebook

El Beso, or “The Kiss,” is all tango, all the time. Different members of the dance community organize milongas and classes throughout the week. Each milonga will attract a unique dance crowd, but the most popular is Las Morochas, which caters to more experienced dancers. Traditionally, milongas don’t start until at least 10:00 PM and even then, the dance floor doesn’t get busy until after midnight. While it’s prudent to arrive fashionably late to these social dance gatherings, you don’t have to be a night owl to enjoy milongas at El Beso. This dance hall frequently hosts milongas that begin in the late afternoon, finishing in the early evening around 7:30 PM. But if you’re happily buzzing on tango, stay. El Beso also runs milongas that last until 4:00 AM.

Where: Riobamba 416, C1025 CABA, Argentina

9. La Boca

The Best Spots To Watch Argentine Tango in Buenos Aires (9)

Photo: BonnieBC/Shutterstock

Unlike what many outsiders believe, there aren’t tango dancers on every street corner in Buenos Aires. But if you’re lucky, you’ll spy couples dancing during the day in a few specific areas, especially in the neighborhood of La Boca. Caminito, a well-known, colorful street museum, often host street performers, who will occasionally invite spectators to dance with them (and often request payment for photos that are taken of them.) Although this turns away some potential visitors, strolling La Boca is a unique Argentina experience.

Where: Caminito, Buenos Aires, Argentina The Best Spots To Watch Argentine Tango in Buenos Aires (10)

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The Best Spots To Watch Argentine Tango in Buenos Aires (2024)

FAQs

Where can I watch tango in Buenos Aires? ›

El Beso is one of the most popular venues to watch tango in Buenos Aires, and for good reason. This establishment is known to have a high standard of dancers and is also home to one of the best tango schools. They host a range of events throughout the week, but their Tuesday night milonga is a favourite.

Where is the tango most popular? ›

Tango is one of the most well-known types of dances in the world, and Argentina is famously the home to tango. If you ever go to Argentina, the streets will likely be littered with tango cafes and performances, and you better believe the locals all know how to dance the tango.

What do you wear to an Argentine tango class? ›

The tango classes tend to be more casual than the dances. In either case, you will want to wear a blouse/shirt that allows you to easily raise your arms into an embrace. Wear skirts/dresses/pants that allow you to move freely and take large steps if necessary. For men, slacks and a button down shirt always work well.

What neighborhood in Buenos Aires is famous for tango? ›

The city's oldest barrio or neighborhood, San Telmo, Buenos Aires is a hot spot of sultry tango dancing, colonial architecture and lively street markets. It's also considered the birthplace of tango; a dance which found its way onto the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2009.

Who was the most famous tango musician of all times? ›

Carlos Gardel (born Charles Romuald Gardès; 11 December 1890 – 24 June 1935) was a French-born Argentine singer, songwriter, composer and actor, and the most prominent figure in the history of tango.

Where can you tango in South America? ›

Buenos Aires is the international mecca of tango. The dance and its accompanying music were born in the port city and Argentine capital, and Buenos Aires still claims its spot as the number one place in the world to learn tango.

Where is the world's capital of tango? ›

Today Buenos Aires remains the world capital of tango and is awash with professional stage shows, musical performances, tango schools, tango-themed cafes and hotels, and, of course, milongas, traditional social gatherings to which amateur dancers return night after night in search of the perfect embrace.

What is the most famous dance in Argentina? ›

The Argentine tango is an iconic form of dance, famous the world-over for its passion, rhythm and skill level. Here at pampeano, a company with its roots firmly in Argentine culture, the Argentine tango is our favourite dance in the world.

What do you wear when you tango? ›

Traditionally , tango dresses often have asymmetrical hemlines and many of them with various adornments on fringes and crochet. Most dresses have open tops that show cleavage. These dresses are regarded as very sensual, and dancers often spend a lot of time picking a right dress that best fit them.

What shoes should I wear to tango? ›

When starting out in tango, it is recommended to have shoes that are close to the ground. Having flat shoes allows the new dancer to develop their confidence as they learn and practice their dancing. It allows them to focus on proper body alignment and dance form.

What should a beginner wear for tango? ›

What should I wear for my tango lessons and practicas? For classes and practice most dancers dress informally. It is acceptable to wear jeans, t-shirts, shirts, regular or dress slacks, skirts or dresses. Avoid long dresses that limit your body movements and shorts.

What is Boca famous for? ›

Among sports fans, Boca is best known for being the home of the world-renowned football club Boca Juniors. The club plays their home matches in Estadio Alberto J. Armando, popularly known as La Bombonera (Spanish for "the bonbon box").

Why is La Boca famous? ›

El Caminito

La Boca's most famous street and 'open-air' museum is a magnet for visitors, who come to see its brightly painted houses and snap photographs of the figures of Juan and Eva Perón, Che Guevara and soccer legend Diego Maradona, who wave down from balconies.

Where can I see tango in San Telmo? ›

The Milonga of Plaza Dorrego (La Milonga del Indio)

The best place to catch some tango dancers who can really get across the floor on Sundays in San Telmo is directly in Plaza Dorrego.

What tango is very famous? ›

"La Cumparsita" is often considered the most famous Tango song ever recorded. Ironically, it was not born in the streets of Buenos Aires but in those of Montevideo, Uruguay.

What is the name of the famous tango song? ›

La Cumparsita is widely viewed as the anthem of tango music. Originally composed by Gerardo Hernan Matos Rodriguez in 1917, the 100th anniversary of La Cumparsita was marked by tango concerts and all sorts of tributes in 2017.

Who is the most famous tango dancer? ›

The man broadly recognized as the most notable Tango dancer is El Cachafaz. He was actually one of the first Tango dancers, and practiced in the brothels. He left Buenos Aires and danced all over the world, making heaps of money along the way.

Why is Buenos Aires the Paris of South America? ›

With its wide, tree-lined avenues, art nouveau architecture, cobblestone streets and sidewalk cafes, it is no wonder that Buenos Aires is often regarded as the Paris of South America.

Where is the tango performed in Argentina? ›

The Argentine Tango originated in the streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay, in the late 19th century.

How do Argentina dance to tango? ›

Basic Argentine Tango for fun at home - YouTube

What is the difference between Argentine tango and tango? ›

Ballroom tango is almost always danced in parallel foot system. While Argentine tango is both parallel system and cross foot system. The dances also have a different feel to them. When dancing ballroom tango the movements are strong, staccato and floor sweeping.

Who invented tango? ›

Originating in Spain or Morocco, the Tango was introduced to the New World by the Spanish settlers, eventually coming back to Spain with Black and Creole influences. In the early 19th Century, the Tango was a solo dance performed by the woman.

What color is tango? ›

Many articles mention the popularity of the color orange for Tango. One of them mentions that a French designer was saddled with a lot of orange fabric that he could not sell. After naming it Tango orange, it flew off the shelf, immortalizing orange as the color of Tango.

What is the national dish of Argentina? ›

The national dish of Argentina is asados (a variety of barbecued meat) grilled on a parillo (a large grill) that is packed with steaks; ribs; chorizo; mollejas (sweetbread), chinchulines (chitterlings) and morcilla (blood sausage).

Can you tango alone? ›

Since it's traditionally a partner dance, doing the tango by yourself will be challenging. However, you can learn the basic moves on your own to develop muscle memory, then take a dance class to solidify those skills.

What is the most difficult dance to learn? ›

Said to be the most difficult genre to master, ballet is a rigorous style of dance that is the foundation of most forms of dance training. It is usually set, but not limited to, orchestrated music and is often the first dance style a child will experience as they begin their dance classes.

Is Argentine Tango hard to learn? ›

Learning Argentine tango can be hard or it can be easy, depending on your kinesthetic sense of movement, but no matter what, there will be work and a lot of hours involved. Most of those hours are of your choosing: When and where and how often to practice.

What is considered rude in Argentina? ›

Most Argentines eat with a knife in the right hand and a fork in the left hand. Using a toothpick in public is considered bad manners. Blowing one's nose or clearing one's throat at the table is also considered poor manners. Eating on public transport is seen as poor etiquette.

How do you say hello in Argentina? ›

Greetings in Argentina
  1. “Hola” – “Hi”
  2. “Buenos días” – “Good morning”
  3. “Buenas tardes” – “Good afternoon”
  4. “Buenas noches” – “Goodnight”
2 Jan 2018

Can you drink the tap water in Buenos Aires? ›

The tap water is safe to drink in Buenos Aires and most parts of the country. To be sure, ask your tour leader or the hotel/restaurant staff. Bottled water is readily available and should be used in remote rural areas.

Why are tango shoes open toed? ›

Why? Like most social dance shoes you'll find at our online store, open-toe styles are designed for better foot articulation. The open-toe design makes it easier to point the toes and execute deliberate, articulated dance steps.

Do you have to wear heels to tango? ›

For women. A comfortable skirt or dress and low heels (as long as you feel comfortable). In tango your legs need to be able to move freely, so try not to wear skirts that are too tight or reach your ankles. Knee-high is perfect.

What is special about tango shoes? ›

There is normally some padding on the top of the insole; however, in the tango shoes, this padding is thicker than in normal shoes, to offer more comfort. The insole is attached to the sole with glue, however tango shoes it is further reinforced with nails to provide structural stability.

How do you tango? ›

Tango dance steps - Tango basic steps for beginners - YouTube

What do Argentine tango dancers wear? ›

What Kind of Clothes & Shoes to Wear | Argentine Tango - YouTube

How was tango created? ›

The tango evolved about 1880 in dance halls and perhaps brothels in the lower-class districts of Buenos Aires, where the Spanish tango, a light-spirited variety of flamenco, merged with the milonga, a fast, sensual, and disreputable Argentine dance; it also shows possible influences from the Cuban habanera.

Why is Boca yellow and blue? ›

Boca lost, and decided to adopt the colors of the flag of the first boat to sail into the port at La Boca. This proved to be a Swedish ship, therefore the yellow and blue of the Swedish flag were adopted as the new team colours.

What is El Caminito famous for? ›

Caminito is a famous pedestrian walk and open-air museum located in La Boca neighbourhood in Buenos Aires. It's worldly famous for its walls painted in different colours and it inspired the music for a famous Tango with the same name.

What is Caminito? ›

Caminito ("little walkway" or "little path" in Spanish) is a street museum and a traditional alley, located in La Boca, a neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The place acquired cultural significance because it inspired the music for the famous tango "Caminito" (1926), composed by Juan de Dios Filiberto.

How much of Argentina's population lives in Buenos Aires? ›

Buenos Aires has a population of 3 million, with a metropolitan population of close to 13 million. 92% of Argentina's population live in cities, with the 10 largest metro areas accounting for nearly half of the population.
...
Population.
NamePopulation
Salta512,686
Santa Fe489,505
San Juan447,048
7 more rows

What does lavoca mean? ›

English Translation. mouth.

What neighborhood in Buenos Aires is famous for tango? ›

The city's oldest barrio or neighborhood, San Telmo, Buenos Aires is a hot spot of sultry tango dancing, colonial architecture and lively street markets. It's also considered the birthplace of tango; a dance which found its way onto the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2009.

Where can I watch tango in Buenos Aires? ›

El Beso is one of the most popular venues to watch tango in Buenos Aires, and for good reason. This establishment is known to have a high standard of dancers and is also home to one of the best tango schools. They host a range of events throughout the week, but their Tuesday night milonga is a favourite.

What can you buy in San Telmo? ›

This large indoor market has stalls offering everything from antiques to fresh fruit and spices. With a typical Italian facade and large interior spaces, the Mercado de San Telmo opened in 1897 to cater to the needs of the new wave of immigrants arriving from Europe.

Is tango Italian or Spanish? ›

Even though the present forms developed in Argentina and Uruguay from the mid 19th century, there are earlier written records of Tango dances in Cuba and Spain, while there is a flamenco Tangos dance that may share a common ancestor in a minuet-style European dance.

Is tango popular in Barcelona? ›

Barcelona is believed be the European capital of Argentinian tango.

When did tango grow in popularity? ›

In the early 1900s the tango became socially acceptable and by 1915 was a craze in fashionable European circles. The first tango music by known composers was published in 1910. The early tangos were spirited and lively, but by 1920 the music and lyrics had become intensely melancholy.

Where did tango dance come from? ›

Tango is a dance that has influences from African and European culture. Dances from the candombe ceremonies of former African enslaved peoples helped shape the modern day tango. The dance originated in lower-class districts of Buenos Aires and Montevideo.

Is Argentine tango hard to learn? ›

Learning to tango is not easy and requires the right skills and teacher. But the basics can be learned on your own, and you can start learning by yourself. With a little practice, you can master this elegant and romantic dance. Once you've got it down, you could even teach it to others as well!

Who is the most famous tango dancer? ›

The man broadly recognized as the most notable Tango dancer is El Cachafaz. He was actually one of the first Tango dancers, and practiced in the brothels. He left Buenos Aires and danced all over the world, making heaps of money along the way.

Do men dance the Argentine tango together? ›

But, despite a mythology that links the tango with brothels, historical research shows that the tango was danced by male couples from the beginning. And so, rather than pushing boundaries, queer tango is a return to the origins of the dance.

What color is tango? ›

Many articles mention the popularity of the color orange for Tango. One of them mentions that a French designer was saddled with a lot of orange fabric that he could not sell. After naming it Tango orange, it flew off the shelf, immortalizing orange as the color of Tango.

What music is played for tango? ›

Tango is a style of music that originated in Argentina and Uruguay, influenced by both regional folk music and European classical dance music. Both Uruguayan and Argentine tango dance music is composed in the easily danceable time signatures of 4/4 and 2/4. Tango music can be instrumental, or it can feature a vocalist.

What country is famous for the flamenco dance? ›

flamenco, form of song, dance, and instrumental (mostly guitar) music commonly associated with the Andalusian Roma (Gypsies) of southern Spain.

What is the difference between Argentine tango and tango? ›

Ballroom tango is almost always danced in parallel foot system. While Argentine tango is both parallel system and cross foot system. The dances also have a different feel to them. When dancing ballroom tango the movements are strong, staccato and floor sweeping.

What country invented tango? ›

The Argentine Tango originated in the streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay, in the late 19th century. The roots of this dance lie in African candombe, Cuban habanera as well as waltzes and polkas. It was a popular dance among European immigrants, former slaves and the working and lower classes.

Which is real type of tango? ›

Argentine tango is one of the original types of tango that contains all the fundamental elements of 19th century tango styles: a flexible embrace, varied postures and lots of sensuality.

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