Natal
Hugely popular with locals and visitors alike, this massive forró club has a faux abode facade that represents the humble houses of the interior of the…
Must-see entertainment in South America
Recife
This great free night of Afro-Brazilian rhythms takes place in the picturesque Pátio de São Pedro two Tuesdays a month. The crowd in the plaza is…
Santa Teresa & Lapa
Although it's now surrounded by other clubs, Carioca da Gema was one of Lapa's pioneers when it opened in 2000. This small, warmly lit club still attracts…
Palermo
It's a no-frills community center and gymnasium by day, but after dark – on certain nights of the week – Villa Malcolm transforms into a glamorous milonga…
Flamengo & Around
Also known as the 'Casa do Bob' after owner Bob Nadkarni, the once-a-month event here is well worth attending. It's set in the guesthouse of the same name…
Lima
The theater is anything but dry or about high society, at least as far as this tiny space is concerned. A rotating roster of directors and actors changes…
Cali
Completed in 1918, the city’s oldest existing theater is used for various artistic forms, including musical concerts, theater and ballet. If there's…
Curitiba
Constructed from wire with a glass roof, this theater is among Curitiba’s most unusual and enigmatic landmarks. It is surrounded by the stone quarry park,…
Buenos Aires
This excellent cultural center has many offerings, including reasonably priced tango shows several times per week: Bien de Tango, on Friday and Saturday…
San Telmo
Maldita Milonga, held on Wednesday at Buenos Ayres Club, is a well-run and popular event, and one of the best places to see tango being danced by real…
Restaurant Peña Turistico Wanka Wanka
Huancayo
This peńa (bar or club featuring live folkloric music) in El Tambo attracts local bands such as Kjantu and has good cumbia and folk music. The food and…
Montevideo
Montevideo’s best midsize auditorium venue for big-name music and dance performances, including tango, rock, flamenco, reggae and zarzuela (traditional…
Belo Horizonte
Near the southern end of Parque Municipal, this arts complex with multiple performance spaces and galleries is the hub of Belo’s theater, dance and music…
Lima
A reliable spot in Barranco with a name that means ‘Sergeant Pepper.’ The barnlike club hosts various theme nights and occasional live bands.
São Paulo
Operas, classical ballets and symphonic music are held in São Paulo’s most ornate theater.
Punta del Este
This jazz club and restaurant near the beach in Punta Ballena brings in top-name performers from Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil.
Buenos Aires
Anyone can dance with anyone, leading or following as they choose, at this excellent gay tango class and milonga.
Puerto Maldonado
The best place for live music and dancing, away out of the city. Brazilian music is favored.
Bogotá
Drawing a healthy mix of locals and foreigners, this tejo club is friendly enough to welcome novices who aren't as skilled as bogotanos when it comes to…
Bogotá
The principal soccer venue in Bogotá is the Estadio El Campín, shared home of Categoría Primera A teams Independiente Santa Fe and its big rival,…
Buenos Aires
Cutting-edge cultural center offering multidisciplinary performances that fuse art, culture and technology, plus film series and programming for kids…
Bogotá
Vallenato legend Carlos Vives' ultra-fun dancehall-restaurant hosts live vallenato, cumbia and porro – or modern takes on them. Locals pack in for food…
Brazil
Almost every Brazilian tourist in João Pessoa heads to the north of the city to Cabodelo (10km from Tambaú) for sunset to see saxophonist Jurandy play…
Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa
One of the country's loveliest racetracks, with a great view of the mountains and Corcovado, the Joquei Clube (Jockey Club) seats 35,000. It lies on the…
Medellín
Located in Barrio Manrique, Casa Gardeliana was Medellín's main tango venue for years, hosting tango bands and dance shows. It still holds events…
Rio de Janeiro
For an authentic slice of Rio, head to one of the massive open-air samba parties that happen several times a week in Andaraí. The setup is simple: a…
Palermo
Even if you’re not usually a fan, a few hours at the races in the glamorous grandstand of the historic Hipódromo Argentino is a fabulous afternoon outing …
Santa Teresa & Lapa
One of Lapa's classic bohemian spots, this tiny bar in a battered part of the neighborhood has excellent live groups playing to a samba-loving crowd. The…
Buenos Aires
Originally called Bar Rivadavia, this cafe was once the haunt of poets, musicians and even criminals, which is why a police commissioner jokingly called…
Palermo
Popular basement venue. Good beginner tango classes are available before the milongas – translating into many inexperienced dancers on the floor earlier…
Santiago
On the whole, Chileans are a pretty calm lot – until they step foot in a fútbol (soccer) stadium. The most dramatic matches are against local rivals like…
Buenos Aires
One of the fanciest tango shows in town plays at this impressive 430-seat theater right next to the lovely Mercado de Abasto shopping mall. This fine show…
Santa Teresa & Lapa
This multilevel bar and live-music venue has an upstairs terrace with great views of the old aqueduct. The stage inside hosts an eclectic lineup of DJs,…
Santa Teresa & Lapa
Murals line the foyer of this 1867 mansion and rhythms filter down from above. Follow the sound up the marble staircase and out to a large table-filled…
Santa Teresa & Lapa
Santa Teresa's best-loved clothing shop transforms into a neighborhood party space with live music several times a week. Come on Friday (8pm) for samba…
Recife
This impressive 46,000-seat stadium built for the 2014 World Cup lies 20km west of the city center in São Lourenço da Mata. It is innovative for its green…
Rio de Janeiro
Just beside Praia Vermelha, Terra Brasilis has gorgeous views of Pão de Açúcar looming overhead. Jazzy Música Popular Brasileira (MPB) bands play from…
Palermo
Come to this friendly, low-key peña (folkloric music club) for mellow guitar shows, audience-participatory jam sessions, impromptu dancing, hearty…
Rio de Janeiro State
Penedo’s Finnish community gathers for traditional Finnish letkiss and jenkkas dances at Clube Finlândia the first Saturday night of every month, and on…
Trujillo
Overlooking pleasant Parque California, this welcoming modern place is billed as a gastrobar, but while the food is pretty good, it's more of an upmarket…
