The tango is a partner dance more than 100 years old, originating from La Río de la Plata between Argentina and Uruguay as a blend of European and African cultures. Developed by former slaves, the style was adopted by the lower-class districts in Buenos Aires and Montevideo before rapidly spreading around the world. Today there are hundreds of clubs and milongas (tango events) in Buenos Aires.
La Catedral del Tango © Eliza | Flickr
La Catedral del Tango
Watching the floor move in the tango capital of Argentina can be daunting, so beginners who want the opportunity to take a lesson and watch the pros should check out La Catedral. The place is relatively new and popular with younger dancers. They have lessons for beginners everyday at 6 p.m., and the milonga starts around 11 p.m. La Catedral has a more relaxed feel, so dress casually.
Confitería Ideal © Jorge Lascar | Flickr
Confitería Ideal
Strolling along downtown Buenos Aires, one might come across an unassuming pastry shop. The place might look a little rundown, but inside is a thriving daytime milonga. Confitería Ideal has an evening tango event every Saturday night, but the place really gets going during their daily matinee milonga around 4 p.m. The venue features historically beautiful architecture as well as a live orchestra.
La Viruta © Beatrice Murch | Flickr
La Viruta
This late-night establishment is kind of like an after-hours club made for tango. Milongas are held on Wednesdays and Fridays through Saturdays, opening around 2 a.m. to serve patrons still looking to dance when the other clubs have closed. The vibe is friendly and open to novice dancers, with DJs mixing an eclectic selection of tango, rock, salsa and cumbia. On Fridays and Saturdays, La Viruta also serves a breakfast of medialunas (croissants) and coffee after 4 a.m.
Milonga Parakultural
For the best all-around venue, Milonga Parakultural is the place to go. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, milongas are held in the historic dancehall, Salon Canning, where they regularly feature live performances before opening up the dance floor to the city’s best tango dancers. The crowd is a healthy mix between young beginners and experienced milongueros, and it fills up quickly so arrive early to get a table without reservations.
El Yeite
Another late-night joint, El Yeite is popular with the Buenos Aires club scene, often filling up at 3 a.m. when the other venues have let out. The milonga is held upstairs on Mondays and Thursdays, often attended by the talented up-and-coming dancers of the city. On Thursdays, you can head downstairs as well for salsa and bachata.
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