The Twin Beats of a Pulsating City

There are two things intrinsically associated with Buenos Aires – Mate and Tango. One unites people with quiet calm, the other with drama and passion, but both are the lifeblood of Buenos Aires. Guests staying at Hotel Madero are perfectly positioned to experience both in the heart of the city.

Mate

Wherever you go in Buenos Aires, you can’t fail to notice people with a flask strapped over their shoulder, round gourd in hand, sucking on a metal straw. The drink is mate (pronounced mah-tay), a bitter infusion of finely chopped yerba leaves and hot water, like raw green tea.

More than just a hot beverage, drinking mate is a social event enjoyed amongst friends. If you find yourself invited to join in, there’s a certain etiquette involved. Remember it’s considered impolite to clean the straw before drinking; the hot water does that. And always finish what you’re given, then pass it back with a polite ‘gracias’.

Although you’ll see mate drinkers everywhere, it’s not often sold in bars and restaurants. La Guachita restaurant in Palermo Botanico is one of the few places where you’ll find it on the menu.

If you develop a taste for mate, you’d be wise to invest in your own kit – bombilla (metal straw), metal gourd, yerba mate, and flask – available from any street fair such as the Feria Plaza Francia or the Sunday San Telmo Fair. These fairs are vibrant with local culture, offering a variety of artisanal goods and traditional foods, making them perfect spots to immerse yourself in the local lifestyle.

Tango

Just like you can’t avoid mate drinkers, it’s also impossible to escape tango in Buenos Aires, the birthplace of this sensual music and dance. From taxi cabs to restaurants, billboards to radio, tango can be heard, seen, and some would say felt, just about everywhere. More than just creative expression, it’s a part of life in Argentina’s capital.

There are many dinner shows throughout the city, combining Argentinian cuisine with tango performances. Grab one of the nine tables at Bar Sur in San Telmo for an intimate experience, or Tango Porteño for a grander, Hollywood-style spectacle.

For a more authentic experience, head to one of the many milongas (dance halls where tango is performed). Places like La Catedral and La Viruta are where you’ll find the locals letting off steam in the early hours of the morning. These venues offer a genuine glimpse into the passionate world of tango, with live music and spontaneous dance performances that capture the heart and soul of Buenos Aires.

And if you feel the urge to do more than watch, there is no shortage of tango teachers ready, willing, and able to show you the moves that capture the unique spirit and passion of this vibrant city. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced dancer, taking a tango lesson in Buenos Aires is an unforgettable experience that connects you deeply with the city’s cultural heritage.