Buenos Aires’ legendary bars become stages where you can watch the best tango and, if you’re tempted, dance. The “Milongas de todos los tiempos” series arrives in Buenos Aires on May 14, offering free admission to the city’s most iconic bars.
What is Milongas de todos los tiempos and which notable bars are participating
From May 14 to 30, Buenos Aires bars such as Las Violetas, Café de García, Claridge’s Bar, Bar La Academia, and the Bar Imperio at the Hotel Savoy will open their doors to celebrate the milonga, classic tango, and its contemporary reinterpretations, with free admission and no prior reservation required.
This series at Buenos Aires bars brings you five dates, five historic venues, and five different formats to rediscover the milonga.
The goal of this series is to listen to live tango in venues steeped in history, without paying an entrance fee. Can you imagine a better tango setting than Buenos Aires’ Notable Bars?
The milonga is one of the most representative genres of Argentina and Uruguay and was born from a blend of indigenous, Spanish, and African influences. Over time, it intertwined with tango, candombe, and the habanera, and listening to milonga during a month as patriotic as May is priceless.
You can enjoy this milonga series for free, as admission is open to all, and while concerts are featured, depending on the venue, you can also dance.
Complete schedule of milongas at notable bars
📅Thursday, May 14, 7:00 p.m. — Claridge’s Bar
The series kicks off with Siempre Tango, a quartet featuring Pablo Valle on piano and as conductor, Mayumi Urgino on violin, Facundo Benavídez on double bass, and Nahuel Del Valle on bandoneon, plus Tabaré Leitón as a guest vocalist.
📍 Claridge’s Bar — Tucumán 535, San Nicolás.
📅Saturday, May 16, 9:00 p.m. — Café de García
It’s Lucrecia Merico’s turn, accompanied by Juan Iruzubieta and Mariano Heler on guitars, Oscar Pittana on double bass, and Tomi Lago as a special guest.
📍 Café de García — García 1700, Villa del Parque.
📅Saturday, May 23, 9:30 p.m. — La Academia
Erika Di Salvo Quintet presents a show centered on classic tangos approached from a contemporary perspective.
📍 La Academia — Rivadavia 1180, Balvanera.
📅Friday, May 29, 9:00 p.m. — Las Violetas
One of the city’s most beautiful cafés welcomes Marina Ruiz Matta, alongside Dipi Kwikto and Gerardo de Mónaco. The trio will perform a repertoire consisting entirely of milongas, paying tribute to the most rhythmic and popular side of the city’s music.
📍 Las Violetas — Rivadavia 3899, Almagro.
📅Saturday, May 30, 8:00 p.m. — Bar Imperio (Hotel Savoy)
The closing event features Quinteto La Grela, composed of Pablo Fraguela, Luis Sava, Rubén Slonimsky, Rafael Delgado, and Ricardo Cánepa. The group has an outstanding track record at international festivals and venues such as the Teatro Colón, and their album Gardel was nominated for the Gardel Awards.
📍 Bar Imperio, Hotel Savoy — Callao 181, San Nicolás.