Argentina is the home of the Argentine Homosexual Community (CHA) led by Carlos Jáuregui, the Association of Transvestites, Transsexuals, and Transgender Persons (ATTTA), the Equal Marriage Law since 2010, and the Gender Identity Law in 2012 (the latter two rights being examples in Latin America). Therefore, in a country that is a reference for rights and initiatives for sexual and gender diversity, its capital couldn't be any less.
In Buenos Aires City, there is a subway station that celebrates diversity, a café literally named "Pride," parties, cultural houses, a massive pride march, and even sports teams! That's why we've compiled 23 LGBTQ+ alternatives (an abbreviation that stands for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transvestites, Transgender Persons, Transsexuals, Intersexuals, and Queer) among places to eat delicious food, enjoy drag queen shows, party, do sports, or simply have a good time in a dissenting and friendly environment.
Located on a corner in San Telmo, with a façade painted in a deep red color and its name stamped above the door: PRIDE. This is one of the typical spots for the dissenting public roaming the city's historic center. At Pride Café, you can find all sorts of events: drag shows, leather fetish parties with dress codes and DJs, painting exhibitions, pride festivals, acoustic sessions, and live music.
Where: Balcarce 869.
In the Abasto neighborhood, four blocks from the Pueyrredón station on Subway Line B, you'll find the local transfeminist space, JJ Circuito Cultural. This center promotes reflection and debate with the "Cinema and Future Cycle": a gathering to watch a movie and converse with the invited person, who chooses the film, and to think about how the coming years will unfold. Additionally, JJ Cultural Circuit hosts a philosophy book fair with publishers like Adriana Hidalgo, Biblos, and Caja Negra. It offers an Argentine film cycle, open mic sessions, circular fashion, and a tour of urban art in the Abasto neighborhood. At different times of the year, they host #BackToThe80sParty, a party featuring the brightest stars of the 80s, such as Madonna, Depeche Mode, The Smiths, Soda Stereo, The Cure, New Order, and David Bowie.
Where: Jean Jaures 347.
A Civil and Cultural Association in Buenos Aires City that doesn't define what or who it is but presents itself as an unclassifiable place. A precisely insurgent place that has been supporting queer and diverse initiatives and projects for over twenty years. Casa Brandon, in Villa Crespo, manages a library, a publishing house, an art gallery, the Brandon party, the Brandon Club, and Brandon Tevé, an audiovisual content producer. Some of their events include: introduction to medicinal cannabis, game night, Lesbiclub, soloist night, karaoke, and milonga.
Check their website for more information about their agenda and activities.
Where: Luis María Drago 236.
It's the ultimate queer café in the Palermo neighborhood. It's perfect for a mid-morning visit and brunch with coffee and an egg toast, followed by a rainbow cake and topped with a lemonade with mint leaves. I recommend coming back later, just in time for tarot evenings, and trying to decipher your future. And don't forget, it's almost obligatory to reserve a spot for the viewing party of Drag Race España: All Stars, on Sundays starting at 8 pm.
Where: Honduras 4096.
Carlos Jáuregui subway station is the first in the world to commemorate a militant for sexual diversity and human rights since its inauguration in 2017. This spot, frequented by over 300,000 people per day, also features an artistic intervention by the artist Daniel Arzola. A place that serves as a reminder that today's rights have a component of struggle that must be preserved.
Where: Av. Santa Fe and Av. Pueyrredón.
Feliza boasts an internal patio, a stage, drag queens, a jazz club, grindr night, queer art jam, gay party, "Maricón Wednesdays," and karaoke. Because Feliza is, first and foremost, a safe plan. This social and cultural club is iconic in Buenos Aires City, open from Wednesday to Sunday, and a major player in the Palermo neighborhood. The highlight event? The "Dragatalla", a drag reality show.
Where: Av. Córdoba 3271.
It's Wednesday, you're in Palermo, and there's no need to ask what the night holds. La Jolie takes place at Club Araoz: a free entry party with a dose of rainbow in the middle of the week. The important thing: entry is from 11 pm to 4 am, and only for ages 18 and above.
Where: Aráoz 2424.
A quiet and gay-friendly place in the Palermo neighborhood specializing in ramen, sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese cuisine dishes. Mirutaki opens its dining area from Wednesday to Sundays from 7 pm to 10:30 pm, and on Tuesdays only for takeaway. Highlights from the menu? The sashimi moriawase (sea bream, mullet, grouper, bluefin tuna, and pink salmon), the prawn ramen with egg and corn, and the tatakidon (marinated and smoked sirloin steak on a bed of rice).
Where: Ángel Justiniano Carranza 2339.
If Wednesdays are for Bizar Games with Lynch (an event where participants undergo bizarre challenges and demonstrate the strangest skills in exchange for free drinks), Saturdays are for Miss Lypsinc Battle. And Sundays? They're for mass, meaning Lipsync Cabaret with the host Evangelina Fox, Mother of House of Fox. To sum it up somehow, you could spend the entire week at PUTEO gay bar. From Wednesday to Sunday and preferred, from 6 pm to 3 am.
Where: Gurruchaga 1867.
Managed by Lisa Kerner and Violeta Uman, and produced by Casa Brandon, FAQ is an art festival whose programming is curated through a queer lens. An event that seeks to give visibility to queer projects and, at the same time, create working relationships with the community. It takes place during the month of December and is in its 6th edition.
Where: Luis María Drago 236, Casa Brandon.
A pizzeria with branches in Palermo, Olivos, and Belgrano, also featuring a bar called Cima, and a club hosting drag bingo, timba, and karaoke nights. The menu extends beyond pizza, offering shrimp croquettes, fried sweet potatoes with fresh herbs, fainá sticks, stracciatella with pesto and roasted cherry tomatoes, and sirloin steak with roasted sweet potatoes and gremolata. For dessert? Don't miss out on the affogato: a scoop of ice cream drowned in hot espresso.
Where: Guatemala 4701, Palermo; Corrientes 402, Olivos; Juramento corner Amenábar, Belgrano Market.
An event featuring pop tracks, reggaeton, and DJ sets all night long, also offering birthday promotions and lasting until 7 a.m.? Yes, that's Fiesta Queen, another LGBTQ+ plan in Palermo and one of the city's top LGBTQ+ alternatives.
Fun fact: cash and TV giveaways happen every night.
Where: Av. Córdoba 5210.
Another gay-friendly proposal in Palermo Soho: a wine bar offering private tastings, live music, astrology and tarot readings, live shows, and playful tastings. We recommend trying the marinated skirt steak with olive and spices, served with double-cooked wedge fries, criolla sauce, and classic aioli, as well as the tomato pesto toast, mushroom pâté, and crispy gruyere.
Where: Aráoz 1392.
Villa Crespo, Palermo Hollywood, and Palermo Soho are the neighborhoods where KBBQ Korean Barbecue, a gay-friendly Asian grill, has branches and offers, among other options, a unique dining experience. It involves a table with a grill and hot coals in the center, where ingredients like dumplings, Korean fried chicken, kimchi soup, egg tortilla, and raw meat are brought for each diner to cook themselves!
Where: Gorriti 5675.
In a restored venue with wooden, cream, and British racing green colors, Cantina Mandia is a gay-friendly restaurant where you can nibble, sit down for a meal, or enjoy a drink indoors, on the sidewalk, or in an incredible garden with vegetation.Must-tries from the menu? Calabrian-style chicken wings and Provencal fries for nibbling. For the main course, try the tomato and basil arancini and iron-cooked fusilli. And for dessert? Caramel ice cream or tiramisu.
Where: Zapiola 1218.
The unique proposal involves putting on headphones and walking along Avenida Santa Fe guided by an off narration telling the story of José María Di Bello, an activist and advocate for non-binary LGBTQ+ rights, who grew up and had their first romantic and identity experiences in the area. "Avenida Libertad: a story, infinite colors" is a unique experience that pays tribute to an area that was a refuge for the lesbian, gay, transgender, transvestite, and bisexual community in the 80s and 90s.
Where: Meeting point Av. Santa Fe 1350
An event created by two drag queens, La Kuma and Vedette, who were tired of nightclubs and theater shows with a sedated audience, craving tacos, music, foam, and dance. Draga Paliza is Argentina's first queer variety show and a celebration of sexual and gender diversity culture. With lip sync, voguing, and live performances. It takes place at Uniclub. A plan outside the norm and to "fasten the wig" for.
Where: Guardia Vieja 3360.
Another gay-friendly spot in Buenos Aires is Malcriada in Colegiales. It's an artisanal pastry shop and specialty coffee cafe. A place that creates desires, like trying the vertical pistachio cake with raspberry ganache and white chocolate, or the focaccia sandwich with kale and atuel cheese. In short, it's a spot where choosing isn't so simple.
Where: Ravignani 1338.
Another event in Palermo. Every Saturday, Drag Roulette unfolds a drag show with outstanding hosts, DJ sets, a dance floor, and a play area. Tickets are available through Eventbrite until the day of the event. The key? Being aware that it's going to be a special (not to say unforgettable) night.
Where: Trendy Club, Juan B. Justo 1599.
Dancing, singing, dining, touring Buenos Aires, and feeling comfortable in inclusive places. But what about sports? Yacarés BA celebrated its 5th anniversary as a social, sports, inclusive, and diverse space. It focuses on basketball, volleyball, soccer, and functional training. Its motto is "for a dissident, non-binary, federal, and lovingly violence-free sport."
Where: Sports are practiced at different addresses. Details on their Instagram account's featured stories.
An inclusive and open swimming team, for those who want to spend the year swimming and sharing sports days in Buenos Aires. Gapef Swimming has no gender restrictions and is basically dedicated to learning, training, and sharing. An LGBTQ+ alternative for those looking for a different kind of plan.
Where: Oruro 1300, Martin Fierro Sports Center.
It all started one day in July 1992, when a group of 300 people took the initiative to self-convene under the slogan: "Freedom, Equality, Diversity" and mobilize in the Federal Capital. Some even wore masks to go unnoticed. However, today it's a tradition of the LGBTQ+ community, gathering thousands of people for the Pride March every November. A celebration full of glitter, music, and partying, and the ultimate LGBTQ+ alternative.
Where: Plaza de Mayo.
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