Recently updated on January 22nd, 2020 at 08:24 pm
It was in the Argentine capital that tango music and its iconic dance began over 150 years ago. Since that time, it has become a cultural phenomenon, now even given designated status as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. As such an integral part of culture in Argentina, tango certainly isn’t hard to come by, from shows in cafes, bars and dance halls, to impromptu street performances. But while being at a show gives visitors the chance to see professionals perform, nothing compares to taking to the dance-floor yourself. Take a look at our pick of places to Tango in Buenos Aires next time you travel to Argentina.
At atmospheric dance halls, known locally as milongas, visitors have the chance to soak up the local tango scene while also trying out this iconic dance. Scattered throughout each neighbourhood, these milongas open their doors late in the evening for dances that continue through the night, making them the ideal place to go after a late Argentine dinner, or evening tango classes.
La Catedral is a popular choice for both locals and visitors to the city. Within this cavernous venue, tango classes and other events are hosted every evening. Another option for tango classes is the Academia Nacional del Tango, which – testament to the importance of tango in this city – was set up by Argentina’s Ministry of Culture to promote the culture surrounding this dance.
Having been founded in the early 20th century, Salon Canning is a well established tango spot to head to, also offering lessons for various levels before the night’s dancing kicks off. La Viruta, meanwhile, runs later than most milongas, so dancers from around the city often come here when they want to carry on dancing late into the night. Tango lessons take place almost every evening, before the milongueros arrive.
One of the city’s classic milongas to try is Club Gricel, where well-dressed tango dancers of all levels take to the dance-floor – classes are held each evening except Sunday, and dances take place each evening with the exception of Tuesday. Another milongo for anyone who likes to get dressed up – and one that has succeeded in drawing in a local crowd for many years – is La Milonga de los Zucca, and for an open-air event there’s La Milonga del Indio, which takes places each Sunday (weather permitting) in San Telmo, giving dancers the chance to tango beneath the stars.
While the tango scene thrives year-round, this tradition is celebrated to its fullest each year during the Buenos Aires Tango Festival y Mundial – next taking place from 18th to 31st August 2016 – attracting tango dancers and festival goers from across the globe. See dancers compete in the Dance World Cup, and catch breathtaking tango shows.
Tango at a milonga in Buenos Aires by joining the Impressions of South America trip, South America Revealed, Best of South America, Icons of South America, and Cultures and Contrasts of South America.
Image credits: Cover photo © iStock / dolphinphoto. Top tango dancers © iStock / Guillermo Perales Gonzale. A tango performance © iStock / oleg66. Tango music © iStock / Scott Griessel. Tango dancer souvenirs © iStock / Solange Zangiacomo.