Where to dance tango in Buenos Aires

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Tango is not one of the oldest dances in the world, but it is old enough to have become traditional in more than just Argentina. Tango was invented at the turn of the century by Italian immigrants to Argentina, believe it or not, in brothels. But after only 20 years or so, tango in Buenos Aires had already left its brothel beginnings far behind, and it entered the mainstream.

To this day, tango is immensely popular in Argentina, and the best place to dance it is in its hometown, Buenos Aires. So brush up on your tango moves before your trip to the hot South America, and check out some of these places where you can dance tango in Buenos Aires.

Bien Pulenta

If you want a traditional milonga (or tango hall), Bien Pulenta is one of the best options, because it combines the dance hall with live shows. The milonga takes place in a beautiful Belle Epoque theater decorated in white and gold, and it begins with tango classes (from about 9 pm to 10:30 pm), followed by a practice milonga for tango students until midnights, after which the experienced tango dancers invade the floor.

El Querandí

El Querandi is also a very traditional show, drawing on the historical bordello roots of the tango when only men danced it. The club is open every days of the week except for Sunday, and the tango show is preceded by a nice dinner and wine that will only increase your appetite for dance. The show usually starts after 10 pm, and it lasts until the early hours of the morning.

Salon Canning

Salon Canning is another traditional venue, with polished floors, chandeliers, gilded decorations and all the fancy atmosphere of the early 20th century. The finest tango dancers in Buenos Aires crowd to Salon Canning, and you’ll seldom see any wallflowers at this show. Classes are offered every day, and often there is live music or tango DJs. The famous Buenos Aires tango company Parakultural ofter stages shows at Salon Canning.

La Confiteria Ideal

La Confiteria Ideal has been a landmark of Buenos Aires since 1912, and ever since then it has also been one of the premier tango venues in the city. The ground floor of this tango-Mecca is a traditional confiteria where you can drink coffee or eat pastries, and the upper floor is an opulent ballroom where tango dancers come for the matinee dance from 3.30pm to 9pm, and the evening dance which starts at 10.30 and lasts until late.

La Viruta

For a lively evening, head to La Viruta in Palermo, community-hall basement that fills with tango lovers in the evenings. The place tends to be a bit crowded, so be prepared to be pressed up against fellow tango dancers, but the music is very good and there are dance lessons before the crowds start pouring in around midnight.

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Comments on Where to dance tango in Buenos Aires

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dancingqueen wrote on January 27, 2011:

Thanks for the information!
I really want to learn tango since I was a kid, great post:)

josefina Argüello wrote on May 9, 2011:

Tango is an altogether different beast to anything I’d seen. It’s so meticulous and beautiful. I would never have dreamt of stepping out into the dancing crowd without a lesson or two. Love it!

Josefina A. – hotels in San Telmo

 

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