10 Places to see and hear rock in Buenos Aires

The story of this distinguished space, which brought the Villa Devoto neighborhood into the Buenos Aires music circuit (not just rock), is one of those that are told in reverse. It began with the adventure of three Argentines who decided to take over the old Café Berlín in Madrid, which had ceased to be a meeting point for jazz and flamenco and was struggling with its glorious past and unpromising present.

The experience was successful, and the "entrepreneurs" doubled down. "It's about creating a space where musicians feel comfortable," said Luca Frasca, former keyboardist of Pappo’s Blues and also the soul of the place, before its opening in December 2021. Café Berlín offers a varied menu of wines, sparkling wines, liquors, signature cocktails, whisky, and other spirits, as well as a menu that includes tapas, pizzas, burgers, and empanadas.

Notable: Los Abuelos de la Nada perform on 7/28, Blues Motel on 8/10, and Sarco on 7/30. Tickets via Livepass.

Where: Av. San Martín 6656.

By now, Teatro Flores could be considered a second home to Divididos. However, its history dates back to the early 20th century, starting with the Fontanella circus and later becoming Cine-Teatro Fénix, inaugurated on May 12, 1927, by actor Florencio Parravicini and bandoneonist Osvaldo Fresedo, among others.

This venue, which has hosted successful radio plays, neighborhood cinemas, performances by Los Redonditos de Ricota, Sumo, Soda Stereo, Rata Blanca, and more, as well as being a dance club, has been an essential stop in the rock circuit since 2005, accommodating up to 1,874 people with multiple bars. It has seen performances by figures like Yngwie Malmsteen, Black Label Society, and Marky Ramone, in addition to a long list of local artists.

Recommendations for July: La Beriso (7/13), Guasones (7/19), Los Pérez García (7/20). Tickets via Passline.

Where: Av. Rivadavia 7806.

Two Attaque 77, Leo de Cecco and Luciano Scaglione, opened their own "music club" in 2018 with the idea of creating a place where musicians enjoy playing, with excellent equipment, good instruments, and equal treatment for both underground and well-known bands. Six years later, despite the pandemic, Strummer Bar continues with the same spirit. This rock bar in Palermo offers a variety of drinks and a menu of tapas, sandwiches, pizzas, and empanadas at reasonable prices.

Notable: July’s lineup includes Sergio Rotman (7/19), the Ramona Gabba Gabba Fest (7/20), and tributes to Spinetta (7/25) and Soda Stereo (7/25). Tickets and full schedule on TicketHoy.

Where: Godoy Cruz 1631.

This rock-pedigree venue, adorned with urban art, was inaugurated with a jam session featuring Skay and Alejandro Medina to celebrate legendary journalist, writer, and poet Pipo Lernoud's birthday. Since then, its stage, above a well-stocked bar, has hosted countless artists in both planned concerts and spontaneous jams. Makena offers daily musical menus that won't disappoint, complemented by its gastronomic offerings, including Dancing Sandwiches, The Pizza Experience, and Funk Food with Mexican tacos.

Notable: On 7/20 for Friend's Day, Jóvenes Pordioseros and Viejas Locas headline the celebration along with Piloteando pájaros, Navegando sobre Nepal, and Matías Mazza Banda.

Where: Fitz Roy 1519.

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A classic in the Buenos Aires rock scene, its floor flanked by an extended bar has been a witness to countless "pogo" dances since the late '90s. It’s challenging 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, from Bernard Fowler to Os Parlamas with Charly García as a guest, and from Eruca Sativa to Boom Boom Kid, the list is endless. After the show, there’s almost always a party.

Notable: When buying tickets via Passline, you can also purchase empanadas and access drink plans including beer, water, champagne, or the 25th Anniversary hip flask.

Recommendations for the month: Todo Aparenta Normal (7/13), Nico Sorín Piazzolla Octeto (7/18), Pez (7/20).

Where: Niceto Vega 5510.

Inaugurated on May 25, 1928, Cine Argos quickly became a Colegiales neighborhood emblem, hosting extraordinary artist Nelly Omar, Saturday night movies, Sunday morning concerts, and even evangelical prayers. Over time, and with the Vorterix project, the building regained its elegant appearance, housing a radio, a TV studio, and its historic hall with a ground floor flanked by bars and a balcony with another bar. It became a rock reference point, hosting greats like Slash, Living Colour, Megadeth, the Ramones, Skay, Airbag, and countless local rock acts.

Notable: World Rock Day will be celebrated here with Eruca Sativa celebrating their 15th anniversary (tickets via Allaccess).

Where: Av. Federico Lacroze 3455.

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A classic in the Buenos Aires rock circuit, what was once a general store at the end of the 19th century has been La Trastienda since December 1993. It’s hard to find any prominent local rock artists from the '90s, 2000s, or 2010s who haven’t had their name displayed on its marquee. With a ground floor that can be adapted to a field or seated format and a mezzanine with a living room setup, plus bars on both floors, it can host up to 700 people. Its foyer also houses Temple Trastienda, ideal for a pre-show with good draft beer and a wide variety of burgers (including veggie options), salads, rolls, empanadas, pizzas, and more.

Notable: Upcoming shows include Nonpalidece (7/18), Sueter (7/19), La Mississippi (7/27), and Flema (7/27). Tickets via TuEntrada.

Where: Balcarce 460.

A meeting point in the Abasto neighborhood, Ciudad Cultural Konex hosts multiple shows and artistic content in its various spaces—six rooms and a large open courtyard with a staircase that is an essential part of the landscape, and ample space for drinks and snacks. It offers a diverse and quality cultural proposal for the community and is also a regular rock venue. Recent performers include El mató a un policía motorizado, Nafta, Barbi Recanati, Winona Riders, Massacre, and Los Miedos, with earlier acts like David Lebón, Fabi Cantilo, Eruca Sativa, and Marilina Bertoldi.

Notable: The rock plan for July features Mujer Cebra + Buenos Vampiros + Fin del Mundo (7/18). Tickets on their website.

Where: Sarmiento 3131.

Some venues naturally have a rock pedigree, while others become rock stages occasionally. BeBop, which started in early 2014 in San Telmo and more recently in Palermo, offers a generous schedule of local and international jazz, blues, funk, soul, and pop artists, occasionally welcoming rock. It provides a unique rock experience with 150 seats and the possibility of enjoying the music with good drinks and the exquisite dishes from Aldo's kitchen.

Notable: We recommend "Los instrumentales de Charly" with Fernando Kabusaki, Matías Mango, Fernando Samalea, Bruno Malinverni, Ramiro Cáceres, and Uma Kabusacki (7/15, 7/22, and 7/29); Diego Frenkel (7/19). Tickets via Passline.

Where: Uriarte 1658.

There was a time when rock had its chapel in the heart of downtown, and also its Buenos Aires temple, which operated in that large concrete box that is Estadio Obras, through which much of the '80s and '90s scene passed. A little before, and also after, Luna Park, currently in semi-retirement—perhaps temporary?—was a reference point for the genre, and Malvinas Argentinas in La Paternal also had its share.

But the appearance of Movistar Arena in 2019 addressed the increasingly evident demand for a space that offered the amenities provided by venues in any city in the world, with good views of the stage from all locations, a comfortable food court, sanitary facilities suitable for mass gatherings, and most importantly, acoustic quality that makes any experience a moment of enjoyment.

The list of artists from the genre who have graced its stage includes Andrés Calamaro, Dream Theater, Fito Paez, Juanse, Babasónicos, Liam Gallagher, Slipknot, Divididos, Las Pelotas, and Megadeth, among many others, and counting.

Note: Rock returns to Movistar Arena after the winter break with Tan Biónica (August 1, 2, 3, 4, 17, 18, and 20), Ciro y los Persas (August 8, 9, and 30), and Cruzando el Charco (August 10). Tickets available here.

Where: Humboldt 460.