During my most recent visit to Buenos Aires, I enjoyed a variety of unique city tours and experiences, thanks to the knowledgeable folks at Borello Travel & Tours, New York City-based travel company that specializes in Argentina travel (as well as other top South American vacation destinations). On one evening, they treated me to a night at Rojo Tango, a dramatic and sensuous tango show in a sumptuously upscale venue. (You’ll be able to read more Buenos Aires travel tips soon in my story in TravelAge West, but I’m so excited about this trip that I wanted to share some tips now.)
Rojo Tango takes place at the Faena, a Buenos Aires hotel located in the upscale neighborhood called Puerto Madero. A restaurant/bar called El Cabaret is where the magic happens, and you know it’s going to be a special night from the time you enter. Tablecloths and curtains in a deep blood red set a dramatic tone, complemented by the candles at each table and the tango fusion music that plays gently in the background.
••••••
THINK ABOUT IT: Should You Buy Sightseeing Tours Before or During Your Vacation?
••••••
When reserving an evening at Rojo Tango, you can opt to simply see the show or have dinner there first. I highly recommend going for dinner too, as it’s a more complete experience and a beautiful place to dine and drink. Borello Travel & Tours can make all the arrangements as part of their Buenos Aires vacation packages, so you don’t need to worry about making your own reservations.
I arrived well in advance for dinner, which was served at about 8:30pm, with contemporary Argentinean dishes the star attraction. I especially enjoyed the Argentinian wine and thick beef tenderloin steak, accompanied by truffled mashed potatoes and sautéed mushrooms (OK, I hate mushrooms, but the rest of it was highly tasty). And the service was attentive.
••••••
ARGENTINA TRAVEL TIPS: Once South America’s Tallest Building, Palacio Barolo Lets You Choose Between Heaven & Hell
••••••
At about 10:30pm, the lights dimmed and a five-person live band took to the small stage behind the audience, playing some introductory tango music before the curtains opened on the larger stage in the front of the room, revealing elegantly clad dancers. The men in black tuxedos and women in gowns and high heels appeared as if from a time machine. And during the course of the evening, the talented dancers — I counted 14 over the course of the show — disappeared and reappeared with top hats, furs and feathers, some of which were likely more upscale than tango’s humble origins. The intimate, uncrowded venue is perfect to really appreciate the intimacy of tango, and peformers moved beyond the stage to move between our tables and even get on top of the bar.
••••••
THE WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOKSTORE? El Ateneo Grand Splendid is a Buenos Aires Must-See
••••••
You don’t need to understand Spanish to absorb the romance, drama and passion as the musical notes and bodies interact with intricate precision. As artificial smoke billowed out at one point, enhanced by dramatic lighting, it was even easier to imagine that I was sitting in a milonga many decades earlier. The performance does veer into more modern approaches at one point, with velour outfits, shirtless men and a synthesizer-enhanced Grace Jones cover song. But the passion never leaves the Rojo Tango venue, even for a moment.
HOW I TOURED BUENOS AIRES: Borello Travel & Tours puts together customized and group tours in Buenos Aires, including vacation packages that include extremely good room rates at various hotels, based on your taste and budget.
HOW I GOT THERE: I flew United Airlines, on the amazing new United Polaris business class service, which is now available on nonstop flights between Newark and Buenos Aires.
https://departurelevel.com/argentina/buenos-aires-is-home-to-worlds-first-subway-station-named-for-an-lgbt-activist/