Best places to see tango in Buenos Aires
It is a fact that no trip to Buenos Aires is complete without attending a tango show. Although with so many options out there it can be hard to tell which one is best. Read on for a complete and comprehensive guide by Signature Tours’ experienced tour guides that will help you make up your mind about which is the best place to see tango in Buenos Aires according to your particular needs and interests.
Tango 101: Tango show or Milonga?
Born in the dockyards of Buenos Aires over a century ago, tango has become inextricably tied to the city’s cultural identity.
It emerged as a new musical style with a strong influence from African communities, European immigrants and styles from Central America. It was an expression coming from the humble classes, but later extended to the whole society.
Nowadays Argentina’s capital offers two ways in which visitors can experience this world-renowned dance:
Theatrical tango shows, often featuring live orchestras, professional dancers, and a luxury dinner. And milongas, dance halls that are spread all over the city and usually open several times a week, where locals go to enjoy listening and dancing tango.
A tango show will leave you speechless as the dancers perform the boldest acrobatic moves on stage, while for those interested in off-the-beaten-path alternatives, milongas might be the best choice, since there you will feel part of the scene.
If you can’t decide between both options, giving both a try is always an excellent idea.
Best tango shows in town:
Rojo Tango Buenos Aires
The venue is located at Puerto Madero, the newest neighborhood in Buenos Aires and one of the most beautiful areas to visit.
Rojo Tango recreates a French cabaret from the beginning of the 20th century. Excellent tango dancers, a wonderful orchestra and passionate singers will make you travel back in time.
This is an exclusive performance with an intimate setting at 5 star renowned Faena Hotel. This semi-private experience is definitely the one to pick if you prefer small, cozy, and not extremely crowded venues.
To complete a full experience, you can also enjoy a three-course dinner paired with outstanding local wines.
Private pick-up and drop-off from your hotel or apartment are included so that you don’t have to worry about anything at all, but having a unique evening.
Know more about this tango show.
Gala Tango Buenos Aires
If you are looking for an exclusive venue but not as fancy as Rojo Tango, and prefer something more traditional instead, then Gala Tango is right for you.
Located in San Telmo, Buenos Aires old town, you will be welcomed by cobbled streets, old Italian/Spanish architecture, and a special atmosphere at every step. Even the venue is a piece of history: a unique building with French style decoration and astonishing details.
The show features a live orchestra, two tango singers and several couples performing the boldest lifts and tricks on stage.
In this case, the show covers more than just tango, as it includes folk music that will make you travel around the whole country. The melody of the “charango” (a musical instrument used in the north west of our country) and the “boleadoras” show are guaranteed to leave you speechless!
To complete the evening, a delicious three-course dinner paired with wine is also available.
Convenient private pick-up and drop-off from your hotel or apartment are included for a smooth and relaxed experience.
Know more about this tango show.
Café de los Angelitos Tango Show
This is a wonderful place with more than 100 years of history around tango, which you can easily tell by the look of its walls, covered by hundreds of pictures as witnesses of its history during the 20th century.
Founded under the name of “Bar Rivadavia” in 1890, the renowned tango singer Carlos Gardel had his bar there in 1912. The place also hosts one of the so-called “historic cafés” of Buenos Aires.
The show displays a combination of traditional and modern aspects of tango in an intimate setting, featuring professional musicians and excellent dancers.
We suggest you book the experience including the 3-course dinner paired with wine, you won’t regret it.
Private pick-up and drop-off from your hotel or apartment are included and all details of the evening are taken care of so you do not have to waste time and energy planning the evening.
Know more about this tango show.
Piazzolla tango show
If you are looking for an unforgettable experience, this is your go-to place.
To begin with, the theater is located at the historic Güemes Gallery, an art nouveau architectural marvel designed by the Italian architect Francesco Gianotti in 1913.
*On a side note, beware of a Buenos Aires’ hidden gem located in the same building: the viewpoint on the 14th floor, which, at 87 meters, offers a panoramic view of the city, over the roofs of other major buildings, and the “Río de la Plata” river.
The gallery hosts an elegant Belle-Epoque theater which was restored in detail to remind us of those days, offering amazing acoustics. The show includes live musicians, professional singers and excellent dancers to provide a unique evening in a one-of-a-kind setting.
You can opt to include a three-course dinner option paired with wine to wrap up a wonderful evening.
Convenient private pick-up and drop-off from your hotel or apartment are included for a smooth and relaxed experience.
Know more about this tango show.
El Querandi Tango Show in Buenos Aires
Located at Buenos Aires old town, not far from “Plaza de Mayo”, this venue opened as a traditional café in 1920 and many students from the area used to meet there.
After being closed for 12 years, it was carefully restored in 1992 and reopened showing the amazing original atmosphere that it had at the beginning of the 20th century.
Thus, this is one of the most traditional places to see tango in Buenos Aires. Excellent musicians, great singers and astonishing dancers create a wonderful tango evening.
You can also include the three-course dinner paired with wine and enjoy typical dishes with a service of excellence.
Private pick-up and drop-off from your hotel or apartment are included so that you don’t have to worry about anything at all, but having a unique evening.
Know more about this tango show.
La Ventana tango show
Located at San Telmo, the most important historic area in Buenos Aires, the cobblestoned streets in the area will make you go back in time to recreate the old days in the city when tango was flourishing among european immigrants, countryside people, and african descendents.
The venue used to be an old tenement house, which were very common to find in the area at the end of the 19th century.
The house was completely restored to host one of the most important and prestigious tango show venues in Buenos Aires.
The show puts together a live orchestra playing traditional instruments, professional singers showing their passion for music, amazing dancers, and folk music along with tango for an absolutely unforgettable experience.
Optional luxury dinner paired with tine will complete one of the most lovely memories of your days in Buenos Aires.
Private pick-up and drop-off from your hotel or apartment are included and all details of the evening are taken care of so you do not have to waste time and energy planning the evening.
Know more about this tango show.
Tango for beginners: Learning the basics
If you want to have a different and immersive approach to tango, a small-group tango class, combined with several other activities is definitely a great choice.
Discover the fascinating world of tango first-hand, learn the basic steps, and understand its key role in our culture with a professional dancer. Then, learn to make empanadas, the most popular Latin American street food and become the wine connoisseur you’ve always dreamed to be through a wine tasting featuring several local labels at this Small-group tango class with wine tasting & empanadas making.
If wine is not your go-to drink, you can join a Small-group tango class with cocktails & empanadas making instead, where you get an introduction to some classic local drink recipes as well as some old favorites reimagined with Argentine ingredients.
Still not sure which option is best for you? Book a free 30-minute call to talk to one of our travel experts to have them answer all your questions regarding tango shows and dinner in Buenos Aires.
Do not hesitate to contact us, we are just a message away, ready to help you and hoping to see you soon around here to say: “Welcome to Buenos Aires. Enjoy your stay”.