Where to see Tango in Buenos Aires

How to experience tango in Buenos Aires?

There’s the obvious – go to a tango show.

But maybe that isn’t your style

Some fear it’s too touristy.

Or perhaps you want to learn how to dance.

Whatever the reason, at the end of the day you’re in luck. There are a number of ways to experience tango in Buenos Aires.

This post breaks down five different ways to fall in love with tango in La Ciudad de la Furia, choose your own adventure.

How to see Tango in Buenos Aires: 5 Ways

Starting with the classic – a produced tango show – here are five ways to see tango in Buenos Aires.

There is something for every interest and budget.

Let’s get dancing!

Experience a Tango Show

The most quintessential way to see tango in Buenos Aires as a tourist is to go to a tango show.

Some recoil at the fact that it’s “for tourists” but don’t.

Proper tango shows are exquisitely put together, combining choreography, costumes, a live orchestra and impressive talent.

→ Here is a list of the top tango shows in Buenos Aires.

The production value is unlike anywhere else you’ll see tango performed.

Dinner is always offered but is typically optional, served before the actual show. Whether you want to opt for the meal comes down to convenience.

Going to their dinner service removes the stress of getting through dinner at another restaurant in time for the show.

But if you’d prefer to eat elsewhere, it’s doable. Eat in the area and go as soon as they open to make it to your show start time by 9:30-10 pm.

And you’re right, that’s a late start time. Tango shows start late and end around 11 pm to midnight (Buenos Aires is the actual city that never sleeps).

Some shows also include transportation but getting an Uber back to your hotel is extremely easy, as well.

Convinced? Here are a few of my favorite tango shows:

• El Querandi – A small venue in a historic San Telmo bar, their show has a storyline detailing the history of tango
• Aljibe Tango – Early show, this is the earliest start time at 8:30. I have also heard great things about the Michelangelo show within the same theater complex.
• Rojo Tango – Most decadent show, a romantic splurge in the luxurious Puerto Madero Faena Hotel. If you have the budget this is a show you’ll never forget.

Go on a Tango Tour

It’s no secret that I love a good tour for getting under the skin of Buenos Aires (bikes tours, food tours, history tours…I love it all).

And this Tango Adventure Tour is, honestly speaking, the best way to experience a tango show if you have the time for it.

→ Book your tango adventure here

The tour visits all my favorite sites in San Telmo, delving into the history of both the neighborhood and the dance.

Instead of dinner as part of the tango show, you’ll try classic Argentine cocktails in a historic Bar Notable, then have dinner in a charming restaurant.

The night ends with a tango show in one of the neighborhood’s most intimate venues where the dancers perform on the floor inches from your table.

This complete tango night includes tango lessons and performances and top notch food.

→ Book your tango adventure here

Go to A Milonga

A milonga is where the locals dance and are the ultimate local experience.

These are dance halls where people go to learn and to practice.

Often they start the night with dance lessons. The remaining hours in the night are for practice. Sometimes there is a live orchestra.

You can usually dine in the milongas as well, no frills. And if you’d rather just watch, no pressure.

Order a few empanadas and malbec and be a wallflower to enjoy the show.

How to find milongas:

• Hoy Milonga – This platform is the yellow pages of tango, you’ll find all the milongas happening each night of the week. If you want to go on your own, check the schedule and go for it!
• Milonga Tour – With this expert tour you’ll visit two milongas in one night and get a full on authentic experience.
• Milonga Tour with De Tour BA – I loved this milonga experience. We went to a local milonga in my residential neighborhood (Saavedra), starting the night with empanadas and wine before going to the milonga. Use code SOLSALUTE to save 10%.
• El Boliche de Roberto – This bar in Almagro is 130 years old and has tango shows 365 nights a year. These are NOT your tourist tango shows, these are relaxed musical performances. Guitars and singers belt out classics in the middle of the bar, waiters and attendees take turns singing. Go early to get a table (8 pm is ideal), shows start at 8:30.

Take a Tango Lesson in Buenos Aires

Taking formal tango lessons in Buenos Aires is a must if you want to actually learn how to dance.

If you want to just play around with it for the experience, a quick tango lesson before a milonga like this one is really all you need.

But if you want to dedicate some time and really come away with a bit of skill, then book multiple hours with instructors like these classes with Vamos Academy.

You can book as many hours/days as your schedule allows.

See Street Performers

Don’t want to do any of the above?

Then just enjoy the street performers throughout the city!

If your interest in tango is minimal this is all you’ll need to kill the curiosity or tick off the box off of your things to do in Buenos Aires list.

For obvious reasons they are in touristy areas so you won’t have to look hard to find street performers.

Here’s a brief list of the usual places:

• Puerto Madero – There are usually tango dancers performing in front of Puente de la Mujer.
• San Telmo Market – Couples perform during the Sunday market in San Telmo, you’ll likely see them in a few places as you wander.
• Plaza Dorrego – Monday-Saturday – on all non-market days, there is usually always a couple performing in the center of the plaza between the tables for the many restaurants here.
• Plaza Dorrego – Sunday – On Sundays during the market, there is a dance floor set up at the back of the square. You can see performances in the afternoon before it gives way to a milonga at the end of the day where you can see locals practice.
• Caminito, La Boca – The restaurants here are touristy to the max and with that comes tango performers in front of the outdoor tables. The food is usually mediocre but it can be fun to get a coffee or a beer to enjoy while you watch a bit of tango.

💸TIP: A literal tip, if you enjoy watching them perform, be sure to toss some pesos into their hat when they “pasa la gorra” for tips. They earned it!