Tango is usually what first comes to mind when you think about dancing in Buenos Aires. Not without reason.
It was born here after all, and you could probably visit a new milonga every day for a year, without going to the same place once.
What might be less known, is that there are several great places to dance bachata and salsa in Buenos Aires too. Many salsa and bachata World Champions are in fact from Argentina. Karen Forcano, who won the Professional Salsa Cabaret class during World Salsa Summit together with Ricardo (from Chile), twice in a row (2016 and 2017), is just one example.
Ricardo & Karen, Chile & Argentina, Professional Salsa Cabaret, Final Round, Salsa Summit 2017
Even if you aren’t aiming for exactly that level, there are several places where you can go salsa and bachata dancing in Buenos Aires. Here are some of my favorites, listed in order of the day of the week.
Update 2022:
Unfortunately many of the places I used to love are not running anymore. I’ve specified that next to the names below and have added a few new options based on my local friends’ (who dance a lot) recommendations. Things are changing quickly in BA and especially so with the panademic. Please do always check the Facebook/Instagram page of the place you’re planning on going to, as that’s where you usually will find the most up-to-date information. I’ll update this post more over the coming weeks to ensure that it covers most of the good stuff!
Mondays
Feeling – Update 2022: Unfortunately Feeling has closed down
Feeling is a pretty small place located in Palermo. Mondays is the best day to go here, even if they host weekend events too. They usually offer salsa classes from 19.30 on Mondays, while the social dance starts at 23.00 and goes on until about 3.00am. The crowd is a mix of beginners and advanced dancers. The ambiance is great and you’ll be able to dance salsa and bachata non-stop until closing time, and still be thinking how great it would be if the DJ could play just one more song when the music stops.
La Viruta
One of the most well-established venues for Tango in Buenos Aireas also provides bachata evenings with classes. You can come here for an all-nighter as they also are known for their gastronomy. While they used to do classes on Mondays from 20.30 followed by social, things change quickly in BA and extra so due to the panademic. Please check their FB page via the link above for the most up-to-date information.
El Barcito Bachatero
From 10pm, El Barcito let’s you start the week right with salsa and bachata classes for beginners and intermediate., followed by social. Sign up to their list via their FB page linked to in the name!
Tuesdays
There is always something going on in Buenos Aires, but there are not any regular salsa events that I know of on Tuesdays. There are several classes to choose from though, at places such as La Salsera, with great instructors. La Salsera offer classes in Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba.
La Viruta started doing salsa evenings on Tuesdays from 20.30 followed by social dance just before the panademic. Please check their FB page for the most up-to-date information.
You may need one day of rest since the events of the rest of the week will keep you busy.
Wednesdays
KissMe: Update 2022: Unfortunately Kissme has closed down
Wednesdays at KissMe is all about bachata. The level is usually high with great dancers all over the place. I think you develop a lot as a dancer by dancing with others on that level. It’s also entertaining to watch improvised mini shows on the dance floor. The ambiance and the music is great. It goes on until about 4am and ended up becoming one of my absolute favorite places.
El Barcito Bachatero
El Barcito goes strong on Wednesdays too from 10pm. Starting with salsa and bachata classes for beginners and intermediate., followed by social. Get on their list via their FB page – link in the name.
Thursdays
La Curva: Update 2022: Unfortunately La Curva has closed down
La Curva is located about 20 min drive from Palermo in Buenos Aires. They usually organize different events throughout the week, and Thursdays is the day of salsa and bachata.
When I went, they had two dance floors; one with salsa, and another with bachata. Later the same night, they combined both at one of the dancefloors, and started to play reggaeton and more traditional music on the other dancefloor. The level was very mixed. Some were just there to have a good time and didn’t really dance salsa or bachata. I went with a group of friends and we had lots of fun. It was pretty crowded until closing at 5am.
Fridays
Norcenter Update 2022: Unfortunately the events at Norcenter are not running anymore
Norcenter is a shopping center that hosts salsa and bachata nights several days throughout the week. On Fridays, they usually offer free classes from about 11pm, followed by social dancing until 4am. I only went once but had a good time. Many of my local friends go regularly, especially those who live in the north part of Buenos Aires.
La Salsera
Another great option on Fridays is La Salsera, the same place that offers classes on Tuesdays. On Fridays, they have two dance floors; salsa downstairs, and bachata upstairs. Sometime between 12am-1am is a good time to go. The night starts pretty late in BA. I went here 3am once and there were still a lot of people dancing.
Azcucar: Update 2022: Unfortunately Azcucar has closed down
You can’t list salsa places in Buenos Aires without mentioning Azucar. There are two, Azcuar Palermo and Azcuar Abasto. Both are open until about 5-6am and play a good mix of salsa and bachata.
Azucar Abasto, located at Avenida Corrientes, is one of the oldest salsa venues in Buenos Aires and organizes bachata nights on Fridays. Many times with live music. Check out their FB page for specifics about particular nights.
Saturdays
There are many events to choose from on Saturdays. A safe card for a good night with lots of bachata and salsa is Azucar Palermo. The music is great and it gets crowded around 12.30-1am. I’ve taken a sunrise walk home from here more than once.
Sundays
Malecon: Update 2022: Unfortunately the events at Malecon are not running anymore
Sundays are very happening in the salsa and bachata world in Buenos Aires. If the weather is nice, my personal favorite is Malecon. The event takes place at an open space in Puerto Madero, where you dance outside to the sound of the river and a mix of bachata and salsa. It’s open from 6pm until 12am. I love dancing outside and the ambience was amazing when I went. This was during the winter time. My local friends told me that it gets about 10 times more crowded during the summer. Can’t wait to go back…
El Prado
From 7pm until midnight at the @glorietabelgrano, Prado claims to be better than Tinder. Whether you’re looking for that or not, it’s all about salsa and bachata. Social dance, a mixed audience of tourists, expats and locals. I haven’t been here yet since it wasn’t running last time I was in BA, but will hopefully be able to check it out next time around. My local friends like it!
There is also Dime Que Si, located in Nuñes. This weekly event starts at 23.00 with pizza on the house, and social dance until about 4am. The crowd is a mix of beginners and advanced dancers. I really liked the ambiance here. It’s also a favorite of many of my local friends. The organizers are known in the salsa/bachata scene in Buenos Aires and have done a great job.
More bachata and salsa in Buenos Aires
This list isn’t complete. There are many more places outside of the city in the province of Buenos Aires. The best way to get to know what’s happening is, as always, to ask the locals.
I really liked the ambiance in general. It’s easy to get to know people, and if you just spend a few weeks dancing your way around, you’ll feel like home. These places will give you a great start and lots of good memories.
Have you been to any other great places that should be added to the list? Then I’d love to know about them.
Where To Stay In Buenos Aires
I’ve been to Buenos Aires twice and tried several different accommodation options. Palermo is my favorite area when it comes down to where to stay.
Palermo is one of the most happening areas with lots of bars and restaurants. You’ll have everything you may need right outside the door, including many of these dance places. Since it’s so happening, it’s considered safe, and you will be able to walk around in the evenings too which I like.
Here are a few great accommodation options for different budget ranges:
Miravida Soho Hotel & Wine Bar
Beautiful hotel with excellent wine and service. Centrally located in Palermo, you’ll have bars, restaurants, and parks perfect for that morning run and so on, right outside. If you ever come back to BA after your stay here, you’ll be wanting to stay here again.
Casa Reina is a huge apartment where you can rent your private room. It’s beautifully decorated with an arty touch and has a charming terrace perfect for a glass of wine or a sunny breakfast (some rooms have their own balcony too). The hosts, Flor and Max, are amazing. I’ve spent more than 2 months here and will return next time I’m in BA.
It usually gets fully booked, so make sure to confirm your stay in time, and say hi from me. 🙂
There are also lots of other options in BA. Palermo and Villa Crespo, which is an up-and-coming area just next to Palermo, are both great alternatives.
Enjoy BA and feel free to reach out to me with any questions in the comments to get the most out of your stay.
May i please have your overview of the best schools where you can dance salsa and bachata in Buenos Aires? Is all of this happening now? Dec 2021?
Hi Susan, unfortunately, many of these places aren’t running anymore. I’ll update this post over the next couple of weeks – getting input from my local friends about the most happening places right now. Many places have closed down in BA after the pandemic. El Prado in Plaza Barrancas de Belgrano is one of the new places which is happening these days. Are you going to be staying for a while? Happy to send over the updated overview once completed if so.
is this up to date?
Hi Kieran, unfortunately many of these places aren’t running anymore. Many places have closed down in BA after the pandemic. I just updated the post and specified which places are closed and added a few new alternatives. I’ll update it more over the next couple of weeks – getting input from my local friends about the most happening places right now. Depending on when you go the updated post might be up in time for your trip!
Do you have the names of some private classes? Ideally with some English competencies (I’m italian, still understand)
Hi Marco, I’ll pass you one of my contacts who run private classes in BA. Seems like the email you registered when submitting the comment doesn’t work, so send me a quick message using the contact form on the website and I’ll pass you his contacts so that you can sync with him directly. Hope you enjoy BA!
Awesome list, please keep this updated! Seriously thinking of visiting BA in one or two weeks and I am definitely going to explore these places.
Happy that you found it helpful Karel! BA is an amazing city, I’m sure you’ll have a great time. Look forward to going back too!
Hi. I am keen to book in some private salsa classes when I arrive in BA in a months time. Are you able to pass me your contact along? Thanks.
Hi Meg,
Sure, I’ll email you. Enjoy BA!
I too would absolutely love an update!! Thank you!!!
Hey, thanks for the rundown of places to salsa. I’ll definitely check some of these places out. If you still have a list of schools or private instructors it would be amazing if you could send me that as well. Definitely would like some private lessons too.
Hi Louis, happy that you found it helpful! I will put together an updated list of private lessons later this year – meanwhile, I’ll email you one contact 🙂 Enjoy BA!
I’m hoping to visit BA in November and would like to improve my salsa skills with a course of private classes.
Please could you advise me of any male teachers that you would recommend and with whom I can communicate in English.
Many thanks
Lynn
Amazing Lynn, you’ll love it! I’ll get back to you with teachers that speak English over the next days 🙂
This is an awesome list! I’m going to Buenos Aires tomorrow night for a few weeks especially to dance bachata. Do you have some recommended bachata teachers that do private classes? I can speak speak Spanish if that helps 🙂
That’s amazing Giselle, happy for you! Look forward to going back too. I had some great teachers there but they recently relocated. I’ll put together some new options over the coming weeks. Until when will you be around?
Thanks for the info, I will be going to Buenos Aires middle of November 2023,
could you recommend some places where to dance. By the way I have a blog about bachata. This one: bachatafests. Would be okay if I write a post with your info with a link to your site? Let me know. Charles. D
Hey Charles,
The post include some 😉 Sure, as long as it’s cited and not duplicated, that’s fine. You just got yourself a link from here too, well done 😜