Tango is synonymous with Buenos Aires, and the Tango Porteño dinner show is a fun way to enjoy this aspect of Argentine culture. Before arriving in Argentina, my exposure to tango had been minimal.
Medellin hosts an annual tango festival each year, and I attended a free dance performance in 2009 and an outdoor concert in the botanical gardens in 2011. But that was it.
As I was preparing to leave Peru, I was offered the chance to experience and review one of the Buenos Aires tours GetYourGuide offers. This online booking site covers destinations around the world.
I looked through the various activities in Buenos Aires and settled on Tango Porteño, highlighted as a bestseller. At $141.50 per person, the price is on par with Broadway tickets.
The Theater
Roundtrip transportation is included in the tour cost; however, the local operator doesn't pick up from private residences.
Instead, I was given the name of the hotel nearest my apartment and met the driver there.
We picked up a Brazilian couple before arriving at the Tango Porteño Theater, with a marquee to rival any seen on Broadway.
The theater describes itself as follows:
We have recreated the most important, unparalleled age of Tango history in our Tango Porteño. In this special place only a few steps from the famous Obelisk we have recovered the essence of a unique time and place. The setting is luxurious and is the embodiment of refined ambience; a treasured Metro Goldwyn Mayer movie theater from bygone years. The theater was restored down to te last detail in pure art-deco style and is complemented creations.
Tango Porteño theater
The door attendants and staff inside were dressed in period costumes to help set the mood from the beginning. It felt like we were about to return to the golden age of tango, and I was getting excited.
After presenting my voucher, I was led inside the theater and seated at a table in the back. I noticed another place setting for one at the table in front of me and four settings at the tables to my right.
The tables were lined up in a communal style, so unless you go with a group of people, you'll be sitting next to strangers.
As additional people continued to arrive, I noticed many women had dressed up for the occasion.
I felt a tad self-conscious in my t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers, but I didn't worry about it for long, given how dark it was in the theater.
The Food
It didn't take long for a server to come by and take my order. A 3-course meal, with drinks, is also included in the ticket price.
I chose the potato soup, chicken for the entree, and the chocolate mouse for dessert. For beverages, it's all you can drink wine, beer, soda, or mineral water; I went with red wine.
Aside from the dessert, the portions were all smaller than I expected, so if you have a big appetite, I'd recommend eating beforehand or planning to grab a bite afterward.
The chocolate mousse was excellent and arrived just as the house lights were turned off and the show started. After all, the dancing, not the food, brought us to Tango Porteño for the evening.
The Performance
The choreography, orchestra, costumes, and stage production were all excellent. In a hostel, I'd overheard one woman say that watching professional tango dancers was intimidating if you're starting yourself.
If anything, I found it inspiring. I wish the show had lasted longer than an hour and a half. The only thing that bothered me was the constant chatting of the women at the table behind me.
I thought it was disrespectful to the performers (who probably couldn't hear them) and the other people seated around them.
Now and then, I'd hear "shhhhhs" break out from other parts of the theater, so I knew it was happening elsewhere, too, and I wasn't the only one distracted by it.
I can only guess adding food and wine to the theater experience gave people the license to be so loud.
It wasn't until the show's last performance that I'd finally leave my table and walk down an aisle to get a video close-up.
Who Should Go?
I believe there are two ways to experience tango in Buenos Aires. The first way is to learn the tango by taking lessons and spending time in the local milongas.
The time, energy, and dedication required to do this will appeal to only a tiny percentage of visitors to the city. The second, more straightforward way is to take in a dinner show like Tango Porteño.
Sure, you can catch shows in other countries, but for a truly authentic experience, there's nothing like seeing one in the city where tango was born.
Check out GetYourGuide to book this Tango Porteño dinner show and other activities in Buenos Aires.
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I received a complimentary ticket to experience and write about this tour.
