Category Archives: latin america

buenos aires

Gay Tango at La Marshall and Tango Queer

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A masculine sharply-dressed man passionately leading a beautiful woman with a flowing dress is instantly recognizable around the world as the tango, the iconic dance from Argentina.

For some, the idea of gay tango may seem like a radically new concept.  However, as proven by the photo on the Wikipedia page for the history of the tango, male couples have been dancing since the early 1900s.

The tradition of same-sex tango is kept alive and well in Buenos Aires at two places which welcome tourists. Continue reading Gay Tango at La Marshall and Tango Queer →

bars & clubs, buenos aires

Flux Bar

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Editor’s Choice: Best Happy Hour Cocktail 2015
Buenos Aires’ trendy Soho neighborhood is the best place to enjoy a well-crafted cocktail. However, for a gay drinking option, take the Metro to the San Martin station where you can grab both a great cocktail and a great deal.

980 Marcelo T. de Alvear (Av. 9 de Julio)
Barrio Centro, Buenos Aires Argentina    Google Map>>

At this friendly spot, happy hour runs from 7 to 10pm and is the perfect way to kill time before the notoriously late Argentine dinner hour. Located in downtown BA (in a section known as Microcentro) Flux benefits from a large after-work crow eager for a drink after a day at the office.

For visitors: most of Flux Bar’s amicable staff speaks a far amount of English; the locals who patronize the bar are pretty diverse (from hot 20 year-olds to daddies over 40.) And, if your not feeling the crowd that night, grab one of the city’s gay nightlife pamplets on your way out the door.

Cocktails are the main attraction at Flux Bar and any item on the drink menu is worth a taste. (Oddly enough, non-Argentine drinks such as the mojito and caipirinha are the best bets.)

The downside to Flux Bar is the space itself. Located on the lower level of the building, you can expect more of a “sitting on a sofa in a basement” vibe than a sleek modern cocktail lounge.

bars & clubs, buenos aires

Fiesta Jolie

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An effervescent young crowd fills Palermo every Wednesday with an energy so infectious that it’s impossible to not have a good time.

Avenida Juan B. Justo 1658
Buenos Aires, Argentina    Google Map »
Wednesday 9PM – 5AM

On any night of the week, doors may open at 9pm to hang and watch the latest episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race, or a film festival of campy comedies from Spain. The only real way to know what you’ll find on any given Wednesday is to check out Fiesta Jolie on Facebook or Twitter. Later on in the evening, the dancefloor heats up, and line of 20 and 30 somethings in search of a good time on a miercoles begins to multiply.

Drinks are relatively inexpensive (which is even better considering the is often no cover fee.) At Fiesta Jolie the boys love to make out, and so do the lesbians (who can comprise up to 40 percent of the crowd on any particular Wednesday.)

latin america

Como Se Dice? Twenty Words and Phrases En Espanol

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Most bartenders and doormen in Latin America do not speak English, but most can put together a few words and play a bit charades to communicate the basics.  Don’t be afraid to go out if you’re not fluent in

  • activo – the role of the “top”
  • agua – water (in bars, you’ll need to specify “con gas” if you want it with gas, or “sin gas” without
  • bano – bathroom
  • barra libre – open bar / free drinks
  • boliches – nightclubs
  • cerveza – beer
  • canilla libre – open bar (see also “barra libre”)
  • chupito – a shot of alcohol
  • cuánto? – How much? (can also use Cuánto cuesta?)
  • cubierto – “cargo por cubierto” – literally “cover charge” (see also “entrada”)
  • entrada – entrance fee / cover (see also cubierto)
  • passivo – the sexual role of the “bottom”
  • sin azucar – sugar free
  • sin gelo – without ice (pronounced “seen yeilo”)
  • “taxi boys” – male escorts / prostitutes
  • tragos – mixed drinks / cocktails