Some of tango’s greatest figures have sat at its tables, and within its walls, one of the most memorable songs in Argentine music was born. We’re talking about Esquina Homero Manzi, the historic café at the corner of San Juan and Boedo that opened its doors in 1927 and continues to welcome guests today—both for its traditional tango shows and for less conventional events, including a stand-up comedy show paired with a wine tasting.
The corner of San Juan and Boedo that Homero Manzi immortalized in “Sur”
“Old San Juan and Boedo.” The lyrics to “Sur” begin by evoking the very corner where Manzi wrote his verses in 1948, before Aníbal Troilo set them to music. At that time, the café wasn’t even named after the poet: it was still known as the Canadian.
Nearly eight decades later, the historic façade still stands, and inside, photographs, original drawings by Hermenegildo Sábat, and even a poncho that belonged to Homero Manzi are on display, along with other memorabilia donated by his son, Acho Manzi.
But the café wasn’t always open to the public. In 1999, it closed its doors and did not welcome visitors again until 2001, when it reopened following a restoration that preserved its original facades and adapted the interior for live performances. By then, it had already been declared a National Historic Site, and three years after its reopening, in 2004, it was added to the list of Notable Bars of Buenos Aires.
From El Aeroplano to Nippon: The Four Names of Esquina Homero Manzi
Although everyone knows it today as Esquina Homero Manzi, the establishment opened in 1927 under the name El Aeroplano. Ten years later, it was taken over by Japanese owners, who renamed it Nippon in honor of their heritage.
But that wouldn’t be its last name either. In 1948, it was renamed Canadian, and it wasn’t until 1981 that it adopted the name Homero Manzi, in homage to the poet who had written the verses of “Sur” there.
Another way to enjoy the historic café beyond tango
Tango remains the star of the show at Esquina Homero Manzi, where you can enjoy dinner and live performances that bring together musicians, singers, and dancers on stage. But tango isn’t the only thing to enjoy there.
There’s also room for humor and for sampling five different glasses of wine during a stand-up comedy show. This is the concept behind “An Idiot’s Guide to Wine,” a 70-minute show where a comedian leads the tasting amid laughter, anecdotes, and fun facts. You don’t need to be an expert: the idea is to learn something while enjoying a good glass of wine and having a fun time.
