[TANGO-L] Types of tango dance places in Buenos Aires

[Janis Kenyon <jantango @FEEDBACK.NET.AR>]

Young friends from Turkey arrived yesterday in Buenos Aires.  They asked me
for my recommendations on where they should go to dance.  Three of them are
in their 30s, but one women is 50.  They should be going to different places
to dance.  I told them where I would be on Sunday, and they all showed up
there to dance.  They stayed several hours to dance and later went to
another place more suitable for their age and style of tango.

It's important to know the organizer of the milonga because they establish
what kind of milonga it is.  It's the same when signing up with a tango tour
in Buenos Aires--you want to spend your time with dancers of the same age.

Today there are many types of places to dance in Buenos Aires.

Salon de Baile -- these are the places preferred by the milongueros where
the codes are respected.  There are afternoon (17-22hs) and night (23-5hs)
places where the best dancers go regularly.  The age range is 50-75 with an
elegant sport dress code.  The best music from the 40s is played in tandas.
Dancing is simple without figures, the way it's been done since the 1950s.
The cabeceo is used.

Confiteria Bailable -- these have many of the same characteristics of the
Salon de baile, but they also have a restaurant.  They tend to cater more to
tourists because they are large venues that accommodate more dancers.  They
have a wider variety of dance level and ages.  Many invitations to dance are
made at the table.  Example: Nino Bien.

Club de Barrio -- these are sports centers or neighborhood clubs with
restaurant where families and married couples go on the weekend.  It's not
unusual to see children in attendance.  They are located quite far from the
downtown area.  It is best to go with a partner or a group of friends to
insure you'll dance.  Example: Sunderland.

Baile Joven -- these are places for the young crowd (18-30) where there is
no dress code.  The atmosphere is casual and very social with a broader
range of music and dancing styles.  It's also where older men go to dance
with young girls.  Example: La Viruta.

Aire Libre -- these are the outdoor venues during the summer where you dance
on cement under the stars.  Example: La Calesita.

Gay -- the first venue opened more than two years ago.  It's open to all
partner combinations.  The only one is La Marshall.

Alternative -- for those who want to dance to other kinds of music.  The
only one is La Vikinga.


Janis Kenyon
Buenos Aires