10 Places to see and hear rock in Buenos Aires

The history of this distinguished venue, which brought the Villa Devoto neighborhood into the Buenos Aires music circuit (not just rock), is one told in reverse. It began with the adventure of three Argentines who decided to take charge of the old Café Berlín in Madrid, which had already abandoned its role as a meeting point for jazz and flamenco to struggle between its glorious past and its then unpromising present.

The experience was successful, and the “entrepreneurs” doubled down. “It’s about creating a space where the musician feels comfortable,” said Luca Frasca, former keyboardist of Pappo’s Blues and also the soul of the place, before its opening in December 2021. The venue offers a varied menu of wines, sparkling wines, liquors, signature cocktails, whiskey, and other spirits, along with tapas, pizzas, hamburgers, and empanadas.

Where: Av. San Martín 6656.

By now, Teatro Flores could be considered something like Divididos’ second home, but the truth is the history of the venue at Rivadavia and Pergamino dates back to the early 20th century. It started as the Fontanella Circus, then Flores, and other shows passing through the space anticipated the construction of the future Cine-Teatro Fénix, inaugurated on May 12, 1927, by actor Florencio Parravicini and bandoneonist Osvaldo Fresedo, among others.

Home to successful radio plays, neighborhood cinemas, stages for Los Redonditos de Ricota, Sumo, Soda Stereo, and Rata Blanca, among others, and also a dance club, since 2005 it has been an essential stop on the rock circuit, accommodating up to 1,874 people, with several bars, and hosting artists like Yngwie Malmsteen, Black Label Society, and Marky Ramone, plus a long list of local musicians.

Where: Av. Rivadavia 7806.

Two Attaque 77 members, Leo de Cecco and Luciano Scaglione, opened their own “music club” in 2018 with the idea of “making a place where musicians enjoy playing, with awesome equipment, good instruments, and where bands, whether underground or more known, are treated the same,” as they told Rolling Stone magazine a few years ago. A way, they said, of giving back to the rock underground what it gave them.

Six years later, pandemic in between, the project continues with the same spirit. Strummer Bar, the rock haven in Palermo, keeps alternating between established acts and emerging bands in a comfortable setting, offering a varied drinks menu and a food menu of tapas, sandwiches, pizzas, and empanadas at very reasonable prices.

Where: Godoy Cruz 1631.

A place with undeniable rock pedigree, this Palermo spot beautified with a wall of urban art was inaugurated with an epic jam session that brought Skay and Alejandro Medina together to celebrate the birthday of the legendary journalist, writer, and poet Pipo Lernoud. Since then, all kinds of artists have passed through its stage, which serves as a roof to a well-stocked bar with cocktails, liquors, whiskey, and beers.

Also of interest: International music shows in Buenos Aires

Whether in an impromptu jam or a planned concert, Makena offers a daily musical menu that never disappoints, accompanied by food options including Dancing Sandwiches, The Pizza Experience, and Funk Food, featuring Mexican beef tacos. Super complete.

Where: Fitz Roy 1519.

One of the classics of the Buenos Aires rock circuit, its floor flanked by a long bar has witnessed endless mosh pits since the late 90s, seen as little human waves from the balconies.

It’s hard to name a key Argentine rock band that hasn’t played at Niceto Club, which has also hosted major international figures. From Luis Alberto Spinetta to Miranda; from Gabo Ferro to David Lebón, Bernard Fowler to Os Paralamas with Charly García as guest; from Eruca Sativa to Morbo y Mambo, Boom Boom Kid, Poseidótica, and many more. And after the show, there’s almost always a party.

Tip: When buying tickets through Passline, you can also purchase empanadas and access a drink package: beer, water, champagne, or the 25th Anniversary flask.

Where: Niceto Vega 5510.

Inaugurated on May 25, 1928, Cine Argos quickly became an emblem of the Colegiales neighborhood, birthplace of the extraordinary Nelly Omar’s career, Saturday night cinema, Sunday morning concerts, and even a temple for evangelical prayers.

Time passed, and with the Vorterix project, the building (which was also El Teatro Colegiales) regained its elegant look to host a radio station, a TV studio, and its historic hall with a main floor flanked by two bars and a surrounding balcony with its own bar, becoming a rock landmark. Great rock figures like Slash, Living Colour, Megadeth, The Ramones, Skay, and Airbag have performed there, along with an endless archive of local rock.

Where: Av. Federico Lacroze 3455.

A classic among classics in the Buenos Aires rock scene, what was once a general store in the late 19th century gradually became La Trastienda from December 1993, one of the most popular stages in the scene. It’s hard to find a key local rock figure from the 90s, 2000s, or 2010s who hasn’t left their mark on the marquee on Balcarce Street.

With a main floor adaptable to standing or seated formats with tables, and a mezzanine like a living room, bars on both floors, the space holds up to 700 people. Also, its foyer hosts Temple Trastienda, perfect for a pre-show with good draft beer, a menu offering a wide variety of burgers—including veggie options—salads, rolls, empanadas, pizzas, and more.

Where: Balcarce 460.

A meeting point in the Abasto neighborhood, its various spaces—six halls and a huge open patio dominated by a staircase that is part of the scenery, plus a generous spot for drinks and food—host multiple shows and artistic events aiming to bring a diverse and quality cultural offer to the community. Ciudad Cultural Konex is also a regular rock venue.

Artists such as El Mató a un Policía Motorizado, Nafta, Barbi Recanati, Winona Riders, Massacre, Los Miedos more recently, and earlier David Lebón, Fabi Cantilo, Eruca Sativa, and Marilina Bertoldi have all played here. The space opened with a festival headlined by none other than Charly García, Luis Alberto Spinetta, Gustavo Cerati, and Fito Páez.

Where: Sarmiento 3131.

While some venues have inherent rock pedigree like Cemento, Palladium, Stud Free Pub, Prix D’Ami, or Café Einstein, others become rock venues by circumstance, like the once-famous La Esquina del Sol, Shams, or Jazz & Pop—venues rooted in jazz but open to rock expressions.

BeBop is something like this: since early 2014, first in San Telmo and more recently in Palermo, it offers a generous lineup of local and international jazz, blues, funk, soul, and pop artists—and occasionally rock—in a slightly different experience for the genre. With 150 seats, it’s a place to enjoy music combined with good drinks and exquisite dishes from Aldo’s kitchen.

Where: Uriarte 1658.

There was a time when rock had its chapel in downtown Buenos Aires, and its temple in the cement box known as Estadio Obras, where much of the 80s and 90s rock scene passed through. Before and after, Luna Park—which is currently in a kind of hiatus—and Malvinas Argentinas in La Paternal each had their place.

But the arrival of Movistar Arena in 2019 met the growing demand for a venue offering the comforts found in arenas worldwide: good sightlines from every seat, a comfortable food court, sanitary facilities fit for massive crowds, and most importantly, acoustics that turn any concert into a great experience.

Artists who have performed here include Andrés Calamaro, Dream Theater, Fito Páez, Juanse, Babasónicos, Liam Gallagher, Slipknot, Divididos, Las Pelotas, and Megadeth, among many more, with the list still growing.

Where: Humboldt 460.