Looking for the best tango show in Buenos Aires? We’ve got you covered with this list of tango performances ranging from small venues to grand stage productions!
Whenever family or friends visit Buenos Aires for the first time, I like to suggest going to a tango show as a welcome activity to the city.
Tango is synonymous with Buenos Aires, after all, the dance was born around the 1880s in the port-side neighbourhoods along the Río de la Plata. Therefore, going to a show is a must-do activity!
But what’s the best tango show in Buenos Aires?
That depends entirely on what you’re looking for because the options are endless! I have been to several different tango shows in Buenos Aires over the years and each experience has been quite different.
Do you want to attend a show in a small, intimate venue or enjoy a grand stage production in a big theatre?
Do you prefer a cabaret-style show or a performance that combines traditional tango with folklore?
Do you just want to watch tango or are you looking for a dinner and show combo?
What about an early tango show or one that also includes a tango lesson? These are all options!
I know choosing can be a little overwhelming, so I’ve narrowed down the top tango experiences in Buenos Aires for you. Each one offers something unique and you’re bound to have a good time!
My Top 3 Picks: Best Tango Show in Buenos Aires
The Best Tango Shows in Buenos Aires
1. La Ventana Tango Show
Best tango and folklore show
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours | ✅ Book it!
La Ventana Barrio de Tango is one of the more popular tango shows in Buenos Aires. The tango venue is set in a former conventillo, also known as a tenement, so it’s a historic establishment that has been renovated to have an old-time feel with vaulted brick ceilings and stained glass windows.
Meanwhile, the stage has been set up to look like an old street in Buenos Aires from the turn of the 19th century.
This is one of my favourite tango shows in Buenos Aires, probably because it’s the first one I ever went to, so I have very fond memories of it. I took my British friend to this show and we even signed up to do a tango lesson before the performance.
Another cool thing about this particular tango show is that you’ll get to see both tango and folklore on the stage, which I think is a nice introduction to Argentine gaucho culture, particularly if you’re not planning to leave the city.
When it comes to booking this experience, you can opt for just the show or the dinner and show. The dinner is a 3-course meal featuring an entree, main dish and dessert.
“La Ventana Tango Show is a must-see for anyone looking to experience tango with a mix of folklore. The dancers were nothing short of phenomenal and the music performed live by an exceptional band enhanced the experience. The service was attentive and the atmosphere made it a memorable night out. We left with a deeper appreciation for the art form and a strong desire to return. Highly recommended!” -Paul
2. El Viejo Almacén Tango Show
Best traditional tango show
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 hours | ✅ Book it!
El Viejo Almacén is a tango show set in San Telmo, a bohemian neighbourhood that’s worth exploring for its outdoor markets, street art and lively atmosphere.
The show is set in a historic venue that dates back to 1769. Over the centuries this building has housed a field warehouse, a British hospital, and a general customs office before becoming a ‘Temple of Tango’ in 1969.
El Viejo Almacén is a popular tango show that runs 365 days a year. This makes it a good option for some last-minute plans in the city.
This is a two-story venue where guests can sit on either the main floor or the balcony that overlooks the room. The tango show features an orchestral quintet and four dance couples gracing the stage.
They offer a show-only option, dinner and show, or VIP dinner and show which includes an open bar once that tango performance starts at the tanguería.
“As a solo traveler, this was recommended by multiple locas as one of the best shows in town, smaller more personal with more history than the other shows. Amazed with the performance, truly recommend it. The transfer from the hotel right on the dot.” -Luis
3. El Aljibe Tango Show
Best early tango show
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours | ✅ Book it!
One thing you need to know about tango shows in Buenos Aires is that they are generally a late-night affair.
Dinner is eaten quite late in this country (most restaurants in Argentina don’t even open for dinner until 8:00 pm!), so that means tango shows also tend to run quite late.
This can make it a little tricky for foreigners who have just arrived in Buenos Aires and are feeling a bit jet-lagged or simply don’t want to be out super late. However, this particular tango show’s early start is an exception, and I think that makes it a nice option for visitors or even families who want to attend a show with children.
At El Aljibe, dinner is served at 7:00 pm and the tango show begins at 8:15 pm. They also offer an option that includes a tango lesson starting at 6:00 pm if you book directly through them.
The venue, El Aljibe, is located in Buenos Aires’ historic Monserrat neighbourhood, so it’s a very central location and easy to access.
“Fabulous show and food! This is a must. This was the first thing we did in Buenos Aires and it did not disappoint. The show is so much fun and shows different forms of dance. So entertaining. The service was top notch and very accommodating. And this was our first steak in Argentina and was outstanding. You will love this.” -Allyson
4. Tango Porteño Show
Best tango show on stage
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours | ✅ Book it!
Tango Porteño puts on a tango show in a theatre just across the street from the famous Teatro Colón and one block up from the Obelisk. If you’ve walked down Avenida 9 de Julio, you’ve likely seen the theatre as it’s hard to miss, especially when it’s all lit up at night!
The venue is an art deco building that once housed the famous Cine Metro owned by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
While some of the smaller venues only host tango shows a few times a week, because this is a large and centrally located theatre, it has shows every night of the week.
Tango Porteño covers various time frames starting with tango’s origins along the Río de la Plata and following its evolution into a contemporary dance.
The show will transport you to the golden age of tango featuring 25 artists and a live orchestra.
“The Tango Show was outstanding and the dinner was fantastic!! The band was also phenomenal. The entire group enjoyed the show.” -Warren
5. Rojo Tango Show
Best cabaret-style tango show
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours | ✅ Book it!
Rojo Tango Show is a cabaret-style tango performance that takes place at Hotel Faena, a luxury 5-star property in Buenos Aires’ Puerto Madero neighbourhood.
The venue has a strong 1920s vibe featuring red lighting, red velvet and gold trim. It is a small, dimly lit setting with a decidedly intimate feel where the dancers and live band feel within arms reach.
Guests are served a contemporary Argentinean 3-course meal with an entree, main dish and dessert, as well as champagne and wine.
Dinner is served at 8:30 pm and the show begins at 10:00 pm.
This cabaret tango show is best suited to travellers looking for a small venue with an intimate feel and it’s a high-end experience with a price tag to match.
“This was fabulous from start to finish. Enrique (driver) picked me up at my AirBNB right on time. He was the most gracious, classy escort to the beyond beautiful Hotel Faena. The hotel is stunning. The venue is small and intimate. I had a front table which was great. The dancers were within arms reach. The servers are so attentive and the food was outstanding. They all spoke English and every need was met. The show is wonderful. The dancers are amazing , singers and band were top notch. I would highly recommend and would go again if I were here longer. I’d give it 10 stars if I could. Worth every penny. Bring cash for tipping and the staff and driver are worth a big tip. Enrique was waiting for me to deliver me back. Got back around midnight.” -Mary Elizabeth
6. Cafe de Los Angelitos Tango Show
Best tango show set in a historic cafe
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours | ✅ Book it!
Cafe de Los Angelitos is a historic cafe and a beautiful venue located just two blocks west of the National Argentine Congress. I know we’re talking about tango at the moment, but it’s a really nice place to go for breakfast or have an afternoon coffee with a pastry.
Though Cafe de Los Angelitos is best known as a cafe, it’s also a place where you can watch a tango performance. The venue dates back to 1890 and it’s a place that was frequented by Carlos Gardel, one of Argentina’s most famous figures in tango. In fact, Gardel signed his first contract at this very cafe!
This place also has the distinction of being the first cafe to put on a tango show back in 1940.
You have a few different options when it comes to seating during the tango show including in the main dining room, the VIP balconies, or the intimate super VIP section on the second floor.
You can customize the type of experience you’d like to have: tango show and drinks, tango show and dinner, tango show and dinner with your own private table, or the tango show and VIP dinner option.
The nice thing about the tango performance at Cafe de Los Angelitos is that it’s done on a smaller scale, so it feels a bit more intimate rather than a big stage production.
“Fantastic from start to finish. Driver picked us up at the hotel on time and was waiting at the end of the show. Food was excellent and the show itself was outstanding. Would definitely recommend.” -Lisa
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7. Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show
Best tango show with a neighbourhood feel
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5-3 hours | ✅ Book it!
Esquina Homero Manzi is another tango show that I have personally attended in Buenos Aires – I brought my in-laws here the very first time they visited Argentina.
This tango venue is located in the Boedo neighbourhood and it has more of a local feel. There’s a famous tango titled ‘Boedo’ about this traditional working-class barrio which was quite influential in the Buenos Aires tango scene.
The tango show is named after Homero Nicolás Manzione Prestera, an Argentine lyricist of many famous tangos and milongas, some of which were recorded by the one and only Carlos Gardel.
The show at Esquina Homero Manzi is all about reliving the 1940s. This was considered the golden age of tango with orchestras, singers, and composers shaping the musical styles that endure to this day.
Guests have the option of choosing between show only, show and dinner, or show and VIP dinner. We opted for the dinner and show option and were quite pleased with the abundance of wine and the meal.
“The club is very nostalgic, looks like something from a movie. Singing, musical numbers and dancing. We enjoyed wine and split a salad. Starts around 10 pm and lasts 80 minutes.” -Lis
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8. Teatro Astor Piazzolla Tango Show
Best tango show with a contemporary flair
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3.5 hours | ✅ Book it!
This Buenos Aires tango show takes place in Teatro Astor Piazzolla, a belle epoque theatre located inside Galeria General Güemes.
The tango show is named after Astor Piazzolla, an Argentine tango composer and bandoneon player who revolutionized the traditional Argentina tango and created a new style called nuevo tango incorporating jazz and classical music elements.
The Astor Piazzolla tango show pays homage to Piazzolla and features many of his songs.
Visitors can choose between the tango show only, tango show and dinner, or tango show and VIP dinner where the meal is served in the theatre balcony.
The nice thing about the tango show at Teatro Astor Piazzolla is its super central location along Calle Florida. They offer transfers to the venue, but if you’re staying in the area, you can also easily get there by walking and take in some of the sights while you’re at it.
“Fabulous evening and fantastic value. As soon as we arrived we were invited to tango class included in the price of our ticket. The teachers were great and we had a wonderful time. Dinner was lovely. We both ordered the chicken dish which looked like a creation from a fine Parisian restaurant. Very delicious and paired well with the white Malbec that was surprisingly good and flowing freely! The actual show was truly fantastic. We loved the combination of an authentic band eon orchestra, singers and of course amazing tango dancing that included tango from the 20’s 40’s and modern day. A five start experience!” -Stephen
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9. El Querandi Tango Show
Best tango show with a historical element
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours | ✅ Book it!
El Querandi is an award-winning tango show set in a restored mansion that dates back to the 1920s.
What makes El Querandi one of the best tango shows in Buenos Aires is that it covers the history of tango throughout the performance.
The show is divided into five eras: tango’s origins, the role of immigrants and the working class neighbourhoods, the influence of Carlos Gardel, salons and milongas, and Piazzolla’s modern take on tango.
They offer a three-course a la carte menu that features traditional Argentine dishes. Plus they can accommodate vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meal requests with prior notice. The tango show at El Querandi also includes free drinks all night long.
Each reservation gets its own table meaning you have a bit more privacy as you’re not sharing the space with fellow guests.
“An incredible way to spend a night! Easy with the bus pick up, a delicious dinner, and the music, dancers, and ambiance were exactly what I was hoping for!” -Amy
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10. Señor Tango Show
Best Broadway-style tango production
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours | ✅ Book it!
Señor Tango is a large-scale tango production set in a theatre known as the ‘Cathedral of Tango’.
The venue is located in the neighbourhood of Barracas on the boundary between the city of Buenos Aires and Buenos Aires Province, but transportation is provided which makes getting there easy.
The show at Señor Tango takes place on a round stage in the middle of the theatre. It’s a full-on spectacle featuring aerial performers, horses, and singers as well as couples gracing the stage to dance tango.
If you’re looking for a flashy performance that seeks to outdo itself, then Señor Tango fits the bill! There’s a reason this is considered the biggest show in town.
Señor Tango is also a show that has drawn many celebrities and personalities, which only adds to its fame.
“Great seats…overlooking the circular stage…and the tango was great! Especially the aerial stuff! And singers were great…and the horses! That was a real surprise! It was a huge production that worked like clockwork! It was a much grander extravaganza than the other tango show I went to. Definitely go to this one! It’s the best!” -Dawn
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Tips for booking a tango show in Buenos Aires
- Decide on the type of tango experience you want. As you’ve seen with the different tango shows we’ve highlighted, there’s something for everyone. The tango experiences in Buenos Aires range from small, intimate shows to large stage productions. Plus, the performances can also vary from cabaret-style to shows that combine traditional tango with folklore and more contemporary dance elements.
- Consider the tango show and dinner packages. Most tango venues offer a dinner and show or drinks and show package. I’ve always opted to book the dinner and show since I find it convenient and the food is typically quite good (expect a 3-course meal with at least one of the main dish options being steak!) If you don’t want the dinner package, you can always choose to have dinner at a nearby restaurant or parrilla and then make your way over for the show. Just give yourself enough time (I’d say at least 2 hours) since service can be a bit slower in Argentina.
- Prepare for a late night. As I mentioned earlier, most tango shows in Buenos Aires get going late with dancers hitting the stage around 10:00 pm, so you can expect to leave the venue close to midnight. The one exception is the early tango show at El Aljibe which is geared at foreign visitors who aren’t quite used to Argentina’s late dining culture. This is a very convenient option, especially if you’re dealing with jet lag!
- Confirm transportation to and from the venue. Depending on where in the city you’re staying, most tango shows will offer transportation to and from the tango show. However, if you’re staying outside the city centre, you’ll likely need to make your own way there, so consider your location when booking a tango show.
- Book your tango show in advance. I would say a few days in advance is enough, especially if you’re wanting to attend one of the smaller shows where seating is limited. For the bigger stage productions, you can often get same-day tickets or at least tickets for the following day. I also like to book a bit in advance in order to confirm transportation details to and from the venue.
- Sign up for a tango dance lesson. Some of the tango shows highlighted on this list also offer a short tango lesson prior to the show. However, this is often something that needs to be booked directly through the venue as it’s not typically included in the dinner and show packages. I took a tango lesson the very first time I went to a tango show in Buenos Aires and while I didn’t walk away with any real dancing skills, it did allow me to appreciate the intricacies of the dance on stage.
FAQs: Watching a Tango Show in Buenos Aires
Is it worth seeing a tango show in Buenos Aires?
Seeing a tango show in Buenos Aires is a quintessential experience. Tango originated in the impoverished port areas along the Río de la Plata, so it’s an important part of the city’s cultural heritage.
Where can I watch tango in Buenos Aires?
There are numerous tango and dinner shows in Buenos Aires and the majority of them are located in the neighbourhood of San Telmo. Some of the more popular shows include La Ventana, El Querandi and El Viejo Almacén.
Where can I see tango on the street in Buenos Aires?
There are several neighbourhoods where you can see tango dancing on the street in Buenos Aires. This typically occurs on weekends and in more touristy areas like Boca, San Telmo and even Puerto Madero.
What to wear to a tango show in Buenos Aires?
While you are not required to dress up for a tango show, most people dress smart casual. Dress pants or dark jeans with a collared shirt for men, and a dress or blouse with dress pants or a skirt for women is appropriate.
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