Entertainment

Buenos Aires has everything you expect from a large cosmopolitan city, including fabulous round-the-clock entertainment options.

Art Art galleries are found scattered throughout the capital. In Recoleta, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes displays a permanent exhibition of Argentine works. The Centro Cultural Recoleta houses art from all over the world. Modern paintings and sculptures can be found across the street in the Palais de Glace. Heading south, in the San Telmo district, the Museo de Arte Moderno presents art by up-and-coming local artists. Nearby, in the touristy area of La Boca, you'll find the Museo de Bellas Artes and the Quinquela Martin House and Museum. Towards the north end of the city, the Palermo neighborhood boasts the Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo, the Museo de Motivos Argentinos, and the Museo de Artes Plásticas. Further north, in the charming Belgrano district, there is the Museo de Arte Español. All of these museums and galleries display both permanent and temporary exhibits, in addition to hosting conferences, classes, musical and theatrical performances, and guided tours.

Movies Two streets, Corrientes and Lavalle, have the majority of the city's traditional movie theaters, although there are many U.S.-style theater complexes inside malls and shopping centers. All but children's movies are shown in their original languages with subtitles. Certain venues show uncommon and alternative films, including the Sala Leopoldo Lugones, the Tita Merello Complex, and the Cosmos theater on Avenida Callao. Check the local newspapers or their Internet movie listings to get the current schedules.

Dance The sultry cadence and moves of the tango can be seen in many of the bars located in the San Telmo district, including El Viejo Almacen, the Bar Sur and Tango Taconeando. Likewise, calle Defensa and Plaza Dorrego also feature tango bars open all day on Sundays. For those wishing to learn a few a steps, there are many dance halls spread around the city. In Palermo La Estrella Tango Bar and La Beba; in Belgrano La Diabla. If you prefer not to venture outside the downtown area find out what La Academia Nacional del Tango has to offer.

In addition, Buenos Aires has flamenco, folk music, salsa, merengue, samba and rock & roll classes and dance halls spread around the city. The best of ballet can be found in the Teatro Colón.

Museums Historic and theme museums abound throughout the city. These include the Museo Histórico Nacional, on the Parque Lezama; National Bank History and Coin Museum, and the Museo del Cabildo in front of the presidential palace, which has its own museum, the Casa Rosada Museum. The Museo de las Telecomunicaciones allows its visitors to play with old telegraph machines and phones. Other museums of interest include the Museo Etnográfico, the Engraving Museum, the Carlos Gardel Museum, the Museo Judío de Buenos Aires, the Natural Sciences Museum, the Puppet Museum, the Film Museum, the Historic Wax Museum, and a recent addition, the National Museum of Man. Caminito in La Boca neighborhood is clearly an open-air museum of its own. Lastly, visit the floating Fragata Sarmiento Museum, moored in Dock 3 by the promenade in the chic Puerto Madero district.

Music All year round, Buenos Aires tango music thrives at Viejo Almacen, Michelángelo, La Ventana, Señor Tango and Taconeando, all in the San Telmo district. In the colorful district of La Boca, and near La Vuelta de Rocha, Tango Arte Bar is a good option for sultry tangos. Brazilian music prevails at Maluco Beleza on Sarmiento, while acid jazz, jazz and bossa nova fill El Nora Lila in Recoleta. Government-sponsored open-air shows take place at different plazas throughout the city. The San Martín Cultural Center and the Teatro Colón host musical performances, including classical, opera and national music. Rock concerts featuring famous international artists are often held in the soccer stadiums. The Irish Pub plays English and Scottish tunes in the Retiro district, and the Teatro Avenida, on Avenida de Mayo, features Spanish music. Cafe Tortoni, on the same street, is famous for its tango and jazz shows held in the cafe's cellar.

Theaters Dozens of theaters can be found throughout Buenos Aires offering a little taste of everything. The Gran Rex hosts top musical shows, and the Teatro Colón is renowned for classical music, opera and ballet. The Teatro Cervantes is an architectural masterpiece, while the Teatro General San Martín is more modern and avant garde in its presentations. Experimental theaters include Andamio 90, Liberarte and Campana. Cultural centers include the Centro Ricardo Rojas, the Centro Cultural Recoleta, the Teatro Municipal Presidente Alvear, and the Teatro de la Ribera in La Boca. Others of interest include the Maipo and the Opera, along with alternative theaters like La Trastienda, and La Carbonera.

Cafes, Bars and Nightlife As legendary as Prague's cafe society, Buenos Aires is a paradise for Bohemian lifestyles. The whole city seems to enjoy the burst of creativity a demitasse of espresso can provide. Here too, coffeehouses have been meeting points for famous poets, politicians and even revolutionaries. Historic cafes include El Águila and Las Violetas. La Paz on Corrientes has been renovated, and the Bar Británico, Hippopotamus and Cafe Tortoni have been preserved in their original styles.

In the administrative district, foreigners popularized Happy Hour, especially in the Irish and English pubs around Retiro district. These include the Bar Seddon and The Shamrock.

Hot nightlife defines the city, and most establishments stay open until the wee hours. Some of the hotspots include the Moliere and La Trastienda in San Telmo;La Ideal, La Morocha and Bar N downtown; Metbar, Buenos Aires News and Pizza Banana around the Costanera area. "Tropical" dance clubs are clustered near train terminals, like Once and Constitución. Tango is found in the districts of San Telmo and La Boca, flamenco in Palermo, and salsa throughout the city. As in Spain, people start hitting the dance floors after midnight. Most clubs and bars stay open until daybreak, as do some restaurants and pizzerias.