Buenos Aires and Its Romance with Tango

 

The Argentine capital is a popular holiday destination among avid globetrotters. Right from wide, tree-lined streets and an eclectic café scene, to striking architectural marvels and vibrant street art, Buenos Aires is a fascinating spot to experience a mélange of gems. While the Paris of South America packs in infinite novelties, its most famous and alluring entity remains the Tango.

Argentina’s famous dance form originated in the by lanes of this modern city, which continues to nurture the art with a slew of milongas, or tango bars, and an army of passionate dancers. Read on to learn about all things tango and its fiery love affair with Buenos Aires.

When touring the sundry locales of this city, you will have a long list of must-visit attractions, including Teatro Colón Buenos Aires. However, it is highly recommended for tourists to set aside an entire day for guided tours across the city’s prized selection of milongas.

These tango bars are interspersed across the cityscape, spanning multiple neighborhoods. Right from bustling tourist hubs to elite sanctuaries, you will find myriad milongas, each exuding a unique vibe. While in some places you could enjoy a tantalizing performance in the company of chilled, handcrafted cocktails, in some others you can learn the ropes of the dance in an air-conditioned studio.

Major squares of the city host plentiful street performances over the weekends, where celebrating this historic art form soon turns into a fantastic community experience.

If you’re looking for a more concentrated and authentic show, you must consider heading to these noteworthy tango halls.

El Beso

Catering to experts of the field, this tango hall is less frequented by tourists. However, this is where the best artists put up stellar performances to lure locals and true connoisseurs. If you’re a solo explorer meandering the roads of the city in search of adventure, do consider heading to this milonga on a Saturday night to meet other like-minded singles at the famous 'Milonga de Las Morochas'.

Parakultural

This one tops the charts of the most famous milongas in the city. Set in a stunning venue, this tango hall boasts a live orchestra, which only adds to the contagious energy of this place.

Confiteria Ideal

This iconic tea house was founded in 1912. Located at a short distance from the Puerto Sorrento Restaurant Buenos Aires, this historic venue is set amidst striking marble walls. A veritable tourist magnet, Confiteria Ideal hosts tango lessons and enchanting shows, which begin in the breakfast hours and continue up to midday.

Buenos Aires also hosts an annual, two-week long Tango Festival and World Cup, when the streets come alive with visuals of gracefully swaying bodies and sounds of tapping feet. If you happen to be in the city around the months of August and September, you could catch this vibrant celebration and soak in the true artistic heritage of the city. On your way back, don’t forget to pack in a pair of glistening tango shoes as souvenirs.  

Author Name Divya Kabadi