Culture Guide
Cinema
All the theaters in Buenos Aires feature Argentine and Spanish movies as well as American and foreign movies. Animated features are always dubbed over in Spanish before they arrive here, but American and other foreign films are shown in their original language with Spanish subtitles as well as in dubbed versions. The marquee of the movie theater will indicate next to the title of the movie whether it is ‘en castellano’ (dubbed in Spanish) or ‘subtitulada’ (in original language, with Spanish subtitles).
Tickets cost $18 for a matinee during the week and $30 on the weekends. Foreign movies usually arrive in Buenos Aires about a month or so after their original release date.
La Nación website has an extensive guide (Guías) with movie listings, theater listings, and more. While you can view the movie times and locations from this guide, there is not yet a way to purchase movie tickets online.
The cinema chain Hoyts allows you to purchase tickets in advance for their theaters all around the city. Arteplex, which has theaters in Belgrano, Caballito, and Microcentro, lists show times, but you cannot purchase tickets from the website. The majority of theaters throughout the city don’t have a pre-purchase option online, so be prepared to wait in line for your tickets.
- Cinemark 8, in Puerto Madero, is the main theater in the Microcentro area, located at Alicia Moreau de Justo 1920.
- Hoyts Abasto is the main theater in the vicinity of Congreso, Once, Abasto and Almagro. It is located inside the Abasto Shopping Mall at the corner of Av. Corrientes and Agüero.
- Cinemark 10, in Palermo, is the main theater in the Palermo area, located at Beruti 3399.
- Atlas Patio Bullrich, in Recoleta, is the main theater in the Barrio Norte/Recoleta area, located at Posadas 1245.
- Arteplex Belgrano, in Belgrano, is the main theater in the Belgrano/Nuñez area, located at Av. Cabildo 2829.
DVDs
Since Blockbuster has ceased operations in Argentina, there are no real chains for movie rentals in the city. There are some smaller, individually owned rental shops scattered throughout the barrios, so keep an eye out for these smaller shops. Movie rentals start at around $10. You can also buy DVDs and CDs at the bookstore chains El Ataneo and Zivals.
Theaters
There are dozens of theaters in Buenos Aires with plays, operas, and ballets showing all year round throughout the week. La Nación also has a thorough listing of theaters and their shows, as well as Ticketek, which has extensive listings of theater shows and events. You can purchase advance tickets for everything from an opera show to the Argentine Carnival events. Traditionally, the main theater companies were centered around the downtown area, on Avenida Corrientes, but new venues have emerged all over the city with new up-and-coming companies. The Buenos Aires Herald also has listings.
Teatro Colon is the most famous theater in Argentina, and is among the world’s top five opera houses. After closing for several years of renovation and remodeling, the opera house reopened in time for Argentina’s bicentennial in May 2010. Season tickets are pricey and high in demand. Tours of the venue are conducted seven days a week, with hourly tours in English between 10am and 2pm. Located at Tucumán 1171 in Tribunales, between Plaza Lavalle and Avenida 9 de Julio.
Luna Park is an 8,000-seat arena that serves as a top concert destination by big-name bands and artists on tour. Luna Park is at the corner of Corrientes and Leandro N. Alem at the edge of Puerto Madero; ticket sales are handled through Ticketportal.com.ar.
Some other notable theaters in the city are:
Teatro de la Ribera (4302-9024) located on Av. Don Pedro de Mendoza 1821.
Teatro Gran Rex (Corrientes 857, 4322-8000) is an Art Deco-style auditorium with a vast interior space, one of the concert venues most frequented by international pop groups and performers.
Teatro Opera (Corrientes 860, 4326-1335) is a well known hall that stages musicals and theatric works year-round. It was officially (and controversially) renamed Teatro Opera Citi when Citibank purchased the naming rights to the venue. Call ahead for ticket availability.
Tango
Buenos Aires is arguably the birthplace of tango and living in the city, it is impossible not to acknowledge its presence. There is even a National Tango Day, celebrated on December 11. Here are a few recommended venues for a taste of Buenos Aires’ beloved dance.
Señor Tango is a bit out of the way, but worth the trek: the classic tango show with dinner included, set in a deliciously pretty (if a bit kitschy) performance space. It’s in Barracas, a gritty neighborhood next to La Boca, at Vieytes 1655; take a taxi to get there and back.
La Ventana, at Balcare 431 in San Telmo, is sure to entertain with dancers and fantastic food.
Esquina Carlos Gardel is named for the legendary tango singer and dancer who first performed in the neighborhood, and the show milks up the Gardel myth for all that it’s worth. Located at the corner of Carlos Gardel and Anchorena in Abasto.
