To understand Portenos (the people of Buenos Aires), one has to head to the places they live, dance, dine and mingle. First stop is the famous Corrientes Avenue. Known as the Broadway of Buenos Aires, the principal thoroughfare cuts a swathe through the city. This is home to sexy tango clubs, famous theatres and late-night cafes. In a further ode to sister city New York, Corrientes Avenue is known as the street that never sleeps. No Buenos Aires tour is complete without a trip to this famous street.
THE OBELISK
The Obelisk was erected in 1936 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Buenos Aires’s birth. At 67 metres, with a base girth of 49 square metres, it certainly makes its presence felt as an icon of the city centre. A favorite gathering
The famous obelisk in Buenos Aires
spot for celebrating sports fans, it has been used as a prop by acrobatic troupes and was swathed in a giant pink condom for World AIDS Day.
Corrientes Avenue, at the intersection with 9 de Julio Avenue.
TANGO HISTORY WALK
A group known as Friends of Corrientes Street Association aims to preserve the history and culture of the thoroughfare, even as skyscrapers sprout up alongside the old-time bodegas. They’ve put up 40 commemorative plaques on street corners to honour the city’s most important tango dancers and musicians. No tour of Argentina is complete without learning about the national dance and some even say tango started in the smoky clubs and intimate bars of Corrientes Avenue. Learn all about it on this self-guided walk, starting at Teatro Gran Rex.
LIBERARTE
ARGENTINIANS are great readers — not surprising for a nation that has produced notable authors such as Jorge Luis Borges, Jose Hernandez and Julio Cortazar and several whose names begin with letters other than J. If you’re in town in April, check out the huge writers’ festival known as Feria del Libro for its lectures, book sales and the chance to hear famous authors read from their latest works. At any other time, browse the shelves at Liberarte, a left-leaning bookstore filled with offbeat journals, novels by local intellectuals and several cage-rattling political manifestos.
Corrientes Avenue 1555.
TEATRO GRAN REX
IT’S worth a visit to this grand theatre just to peek at the art deco architectural style and 1930s-era glam details. When it was unveiled to a giddy public in 1937, it was the largest cinema in South America, with a glitzy interior modelled on Radio City Music Hall in New York. Today, it’s the venue for international touring musicals, pop performances and other large-scale shows. For an authentic Porteno experience, book ahead to see some of the city’s most dynamic tango dancers strut their stuff on the stage.
Corrientes Avenue 857.
CAFE LA PAZ
LEGEND has it that revolutions have been planned here, no doubt by turtleneck-wearing, beret-bearing student activists who sip whisky late at night as they plot to overthrow the capitalist regime. In a handy position close to cinemas, bookstores and theatres, the ambient cafe is also an appealing open-after-midnight destination for gourmet pizza and a nightcap. The most popular beer in the city is an icy Quilmes Cristal; local Argentinean white wine is also inexpensive and delicious. The revolution can wait until tomorrow.
Corrientes Avenue 1523.
Source: The Sun-Herald
