Historic theatres and cinemas

Av. Rivadavia 1635 · Balvanera

Facing Plaza Congreso, born from a 1912 cinematograph, with the current rationalist building opened in 1946. Since 2003 it is Espacio INCAA Km 0: Argentine and independent film at the cheapest ticket in town.

Av. Corrientes 2046 · Balvanera

Opened in 1929 as Cine Cataluña, later Cosmos 70, an Art Deco hall on Corrientes that became the home of alternative cinema in the sixties. The Universidad de Buenos Aires bought and reopened it in November 2010 for arthouse and international films.

Av. Córdoba 6056 · Chacarita

Opened on 24 May 1929 in Chacarita, Spanish Baroque style with a retractable roof, and a stage Carlos Gardel once used. Now part of the Complejo Teatral, it is the easiest way to see good theatre off the Corrientes circuit.

Av. Don Pedro de Mendoza 1821 · La Boca

Opened on 27 October 1971 on land donated by the painter Benito Quinquela Martín, a few steps from Caminito, and still painted in the colours he chose. Part of the Complejo Teatral and dedicated to tango since 2010.

Av. de Mayo 1222 · Monserrat

Opened in 1908 by the Spanish community of the city and one of the three oldest theatres still working here. It was rebuilt after a fire in 1979 and kept its vocation: opera, zarzuela and Spanish theatre. Avenida de Mayo around it is worth the walk on its own.

Av. Rivadavia 1499 · Monserrat

The oldest theatre still standing in the city, born as a wooden hall called El Dorado and reopened under this name in 1872, on the corner of Rivadavia and Paraná facing Plaza Lorea. Still a working commercial theatre for comedy and drama.

Marcelo T. de Alvear 1125 · Retiro

Open since 1905 opposite Plaza Libertad, inside the building now called Palazzo Italia, property of the Italian state. Run by the Fundación Cultural Coliseum since 1971, with theatre, music and dance.

Cerrito 628, boletería por Tucumán 1171 · San Nicolás

The grand opera house of Buenos Aires, opened in 1908, eclectic Beaux Arts with Italian and French touches and acoustics that are famous worldwide. Opera, ballet and symphonic seasons all year. Guided tours run daily if you only want to see the hall.

Libertad 815 · San Nicolás

Built by the Spanish actors María Guerrero and Fernando Díaz de Mendoza, with a neo Plateresque front copied from the university at Alcalá de Henares. It is the national theatre of Argentina, with drama and music across the Sala María Guerrero and the Sala Orestes Caviglia. Tickets are among the cheapest in the centre.

Av. Corrientes 857 · San Nicolás

Opened in 1937 as the largest cinema in South America, an Art Deco landmark by Alberto Prebisch, the same architect as the Obelisco. Today it holds over three thousand people for national and international concerts. Rows are steep, so even the cheap seats see well.

Av. Corrientes 860 · San Nicolás

Built between 1935 and 1936 steps from the Obelisco, a landmark of modern porteño architecture that has hosted everyone from Ava Gardner to Édith Piaf. It still works as a big room for concerts and touring musicals.

Esmeralda 443 · San Nicolás

Opened in 1908 as the Scala and later renamed, the Maipo is known as the cathedral of Argentine revue. Musical comedy and revue still fill the bill in a hall protected as heritage.

Av. Corrientes 1280 · San Nicolás

A Neo Renaissance front on Corrientes since 1914, a stage that saw Eva Duarte, Tita Merello and Libertad Lamarque. It later took the name of the actress Lola Membrives and still runs big commercial productions.

Av. Corrientes 1530 · San Nicolás

Created by decree in 1943 and open in this modernist building since 1960, the flagship of the Complejo Teatral de Buenos Aires. Several stages, including the Sala Martín Coronado, with drama, dance and music all year and free exhibitions in the halls.

Av. Corrientes 1659 · San Nicolás

Opened on 22 April 1942 on Corrientes and reopened in July 2023 after a long restoration that kept its original character. Part of the Complejo Teatral, with theatre, dance and music.

Av. Corrientes 1530, piso 10 · San Nicolás

On the tenth floor of the Teatro San Martín, open since 1967 with a screening of Dreyer's The Passion of Joan of Arc. The reference room for auteur cinema, retrospectives and festivals, with a view over Corrientes while you wait.

Chacabuco 875 · San Telmo

Historically the Teatro Margarita Xirgu, named after the Catalan actress, and today run by the Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero. Theatre, music and family shows, usually at university prices.

Av. Paseo Colón 413 · San Telmo

On land that belonged to the colonial merchant Vicente de Azcuénaga, with the current building dating from 1945 at Paseo Colón and Belgrano. It has hosted well known Argentine actors and still runs commercial seasons.