A Guide to Corrientes Avenue: Theaters, Bookstores & Best Dining

The theaters on Corrientes Street are famous for their shows featuring Argentine television personalities , known as revue theater . However, the area offers a diverse range of theatrical productions, with different theaters playing on each block. Most of the shows on Corrientes Street and throughout the city are listed on Alternativa Teatral , the most comprehensive and up-to-date theater guide for Buenos Aires and Argentina .

Towards the end of the 19th century, Buenos Aires left behind its village-like past to transform into a great metropolis. At that time, new artistic expressions found the perfect place on Corrientes Street to attract large, modern audiences . In these theaters, the traditional Argentine theater emerged, and tango music was introduced to a mass audience with the arrival of the 20th century.

Along the blocks connecting the Obelisk area with Callao Avenue, neon lights announce premieres by local playwrights, international hits, and independent projects . Intense dramas in classic formats, musicals with enormous casts, or one-person comedy routines are just some of the entertainment options on Corrientes Street .

Let's see which are the most popular theaters and what they have to offer.

Opera Theatre

The Opera Theatre is the historic home of world-class musical performances, concerts by renowned regional artists, and licensed blockbuster productions from abroad . The building is one of Buenos Aires' finest examples of Art Deco architecture. Its exterior, with its vertical lines, evokes the shape of a large urban lighthouse, and the original interior ceiling was designed to simulate a starry sky during darkened performances.

• Location: Corrientes Avenue 860.
• Capacity: It has 2500 seats.

Gran Rex Theatre

The Gran Rex is one of the great theaters of Buenos Aires , home to massive concerts, acoustic recitals of popular music, shows by international artists and great choreographed musical works.

It is a perfect example of the European rationalist style, created in the 1930s by the same architect who designed the famous Obelisk . Its external facade is a solid and clean block, without excessive ornamentation, with a luminous glass sign that allows the entrance to be identified from a distance and bathes the main hall in light.

• Location: Avenida Corrientes 857 (right in front of the Opera House).
• Capacity: Allows to receive 3262 people.

National Theatre

The El Nacional theater focuses on large-scale musical comedies with high technical budgets, mass comedy shows, and reinterpretations of the greatest hits of Argentine dramaturgy.

Its stage is very wide and equipped with modern sound technology and a complex lighting system. This infrastructure is ideal for musicals that require a lot of movement and quick set changes between acts.

• Location: Corrientes Avenue 960.
• Capacity: 1014 seats.

Broadway Theatre

The Broadway Theatre is one of the home of revue theatre. It also presents Argentine popular comedy shows, modern tango performances, and concerts by local music groups .

The building opened in 1930 as a combined cinema and theater. A prime example of Art Deco style, its interior boasts a tall, column-free balcony, guaranteeing unobstructed views. Today, the upper reaches of the tower house a modern hotel.

Location: Corrientes Avenue 1155.

Capacity: Originally accommodating over 2000 spectators, the hall is now adapted to more modern and comfortable visual formats.

Lola Membrives Theatre

The Lola Membrives Theatre 's program specializes in hit comedies, large-scale musicals, and classic works by internationally renowned playwrights. Its Italian Neo-Renaissance facade is notable for the three large arched windows on the upper floor. Antique stained-glass windows, polished marble floors, and elegant wood paneling in the hallways lend it a distinctly classic atmosphere.

Location: Corrientes Avenue 1280.

Capacity: Approximately 1100 spectators.

Multitheater

Multiteatro is known for presenting current comedies, family plays, short thrillers, and large-scale commercial theater productions. It began as a traditional single-room theater but was later renovated into a multiplex, similar to modern chain cinemas.

Location: Corrientes Avenue 1283.

Capacity: It has four indoor rooms of different sizes and layouts, which together have a capacity of more than 1300 seats.

Metropolitan Theatre

The Metropolitan 's program usually features modern comedies, current dramas, late-night comedy shows, and plays directed by renowned Argentine directors.

The theater stands out on the street skyline with its large, vertical, stepped tower in the Art Deco style. The central stage area is aesthetically framed by four enormous copper-tinted metal arches.

Location: Corrientes Avenue 1343.

Capacity: 1458 in total, divided into two separate spaces. Room 1 accommodates 860 people, and Room 2 accommodates 598.

Cultural Center of Cooperation

The Cultural Center of Cooperation It curates essay-based works, the best alternative theater shows in the city, academic book presentations, contemporary politics forums, and world-themed film series.

It is a large, modern, and institutional building, with different levels of discussion spaces, performance halls, and visual art galleries. The different areas are connected by wide corridors that invite reading and relaxation.

Location: Corrientes Avenue 1543.

Capacity: It has several different rooms; the largest of them can accommodate just over 200 seated guests.

Astral Theatre

The Astral Theatre It's ideal for family-friendly comedy shows, musical revues, choreographed dance performances, and intimate musical recitals. Its large, curved facade and elevated structure make it easily recognizable in the area. The interior is warm and inviting, with excellent sightlines from every corner of the grand hall and superb acoustics.

Location: Corrientes Avenue 1639.

Capacity: over 1000 seats.

Picadero Theatre

The Picadero Theatre is a hub for independent plays, comedic monologues, and dramatic one-person shows that demand high acting skill. Its program also frequently includes experimental theatrical productions and socially conscious works.

The entrance is at the end of a semicircular, cobbled alley. Its old English-style facade combines exposed red brick with the structure of a small, integrated restaurant. It's an intimate, historic, and very welcoming place before performances.

Location: Enrique Santos Discépolo Passage 1857 (hidden a few meters from the traffic of Corrientes Avenue).

Capacity: 300 spectators.

Comedy and Stand-Up Theatre on Corrientes Street

Stand-up comedy and monologues have grown significantly in the city, and today they are staples in the basements and adjoining rooms of downtown Buenos Aires. Stand-up offers a unique experience : conversing with the performer from your seat, enjoying a beer or a drink during the show, or relaxing for a while as several comedians take turns at the microphone.

The home of comedy theater in Buenos Aires is Paseo La Plaza, located at Corrientes 1660. You can also enter from the opposite side of the block, at the entrance on Sarmiento.

This theatrical labyrinth features open-air cobblestone alleyways with bars, cafes, bookstores, and covered rest areas connected to the performance spaces . Within the complex are theaters with plays and stand-up comedy shows scheduled daily. Its largest hall is the Pablo Neruda, with 520 seats. The Pablo Picasso hall has 444 seats.

The boardwalk's program offers the best contemporary comedies, modern-vision dramatic works, long comedy shows, and public talks on culture .

Another landmark of Buenos Aires comedy is Multiteatro and its sister venue, Multitabaris (Corrientes 831). Both specialize in comedy and feature plays with major figures from Argentine television and film. Across the street, the Teatro Astral draws attention with a repertoire packed with comedy and Argentine entertainment personalities.

Downtown Buenos Aires was home to some of South America's most spectacular cinemas during the golden age of film. Enormous marquees and art deco facades advertised major Hollywood premieres and auteur films from Europe to thousands of Buenos Aires moviegoers .

Over the years, with changing customs and the opening of modern cinemas in shopping malls, many of the cinemas on Corrientes Avenue closed or were transformed into theaters and shopping centers.

However, the love for movies remains alive in these neighborhoods thanks to the resilience of these spaces. These cinemas prioritize visual quality over current box office revenue . They maintain modern projectors for global cinema and acoustics suitable for isolating oneself from noisy traffic in the comfort of a classic seat.

Lorca Cinema

If your plan is to get closer to an authentic experience and live the atmosphere of a real neighborhood theater from the mid-twentieth century , your destination is the Cine Lorca , located since 1968 at Corrientes Avenue 1428.

This venue is a bastion of cinema in the city. Its programming is curated by experts and features independent international films, limited releases, tributes to legendary directors, and award-winning Argentine films from festivals .

The Lorca Theatre's lobby has a double-height ceiling, with a theater on each level. Although its program is available online, tickets can only be purchased at the box office , so it's advisable to arrive early to queue, especially on weekends.

Leopoldo Lugones Room

The meeting point for Buenos Aires cinephiles is the Leopoldo Lugones Room . It operates on the upper floors of the grand rationalist building of the General San Martín Theater (Corrientes 1530) . This space is not for commercial profit, but rather organizes retrospectives, screens unusual documentaries, and projects original celluloid film reels without digital remastering.

Gaumont Cinema

Just a few blocks from the main road, across the Plaza del Congreso area, stands the historic Gaumont Cinema complex . This immense structure has been restored and is managed by the National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts of Argentina. Tickets cost considerably less than in commercial theaters, and its film catalog is the cornerstone of Argentine cinema.

The nightlife in the nation's capital doesn't end when the curtain falls. Locals know that after the show, the evening continues in the restaurants along Corrientes Street, where they can discuss the play and end the night enjoying the best of Buenos Aires cuisine , perhaps with a beer, wine, or cocktail.

Outside any theater or cinema on Corrientes Street, you'll find everything imaginable: formal restaurants with staff in formal attire, steakhouses, elegantly decorated bars or historic pubs, traditional eateries, fast-food outlets, artisanal ice cream shops, international chains, and some of the best pizzerias in Buenos Aires , among other options. In many of these places, it's common to find yourself sitting at a table next to the musicians who have just finished playing, or the actors who have just come offstage.

Let's see which are the must-see stops to end a night of culture with the best flavor of the city.

Famous pizzerias on Corrientes Street

Buenos Aires pizzerias perfected a unique style of preparation, forged by the encounter between the recipes of immigrants from southern Italy and the abundance of ingredients from the Pampas plains . This is how the thick-crust, pan-baked pizza was born, with an avalanche of melted cheese that spills over the edges. And the authentic versions can be found in the best pizzerias on Corrientes Street.

Guerrín

Güerrin has been operating since 1938, proudly located at 1368 Corrientes Avenue . Here, the ritual is to devour slices "standing up"; that is, to enter quickly, stand at the marble table, and eat pizza fresh from the wood-fired oven . Must-tries include the classic mozzarella overflowing with tomato sauce and the fugazzeta , which combines plenty of cheese with baked white onion.

The Quatrains

Las Cuartetas can be found at number 838 on the walk towards the intersection of Corrientes Street and the Obelisk. Its decor retains the original neon tube signs and faded photographs. Its hallmark is a deeply airy crust. It's the best place to try a slice of mozzarella with fainá , a thin, dry, and toasted baked flatbread made with chickpea flour and plenty of olive oil.

Banchero

Banchero is a pioneering brand with roots in the working-class neighborhood of La Boca, credited with inventing the double-decker stuffed fugazzeta. There are two branches on Corrientes Avenue: one at 1300 and another at 1604.

The Immortals

The Immortals Located at 1369 Corrientes Street is the historic establishment, a vast shrine to photos of Carlos Gardel and other iconic artists. The recipe harks back to the Italian roots of its founders, Felipe Fiorellino and Francisco Di Ciancia, who hailed from the town of Castronovo, near Naples. Unlike traditional pan pizza, this version features a thinner crust . The most popular varieties are mozzarella, tomato and olive, and filoccio, with tomato and ham.

Sbarro

Sbarro is an alternative to the classic Buenos Aires-style deep-dish pizza. Its recipe is an homage to New York pizzerias: a longer slice with a thin, crispy crust under the melted cheese . It's located at Corrientes 1267.

Where is a bodega on Corrientes Street?

If your dinner plan involves spending a long time sitting down to a hot plate of nutritious, well-prepared food, your best bet is to look for a traditional Argentine eatery (bodegón) on Corrientes Street. These restaurants are staffed by waiters with decades of experience who know the menu by heart, and their kitchens prepare portions meant for sharing with family or friends. Breaded cutlets with mashed potatoes or French fries, homemade pasta, and meat cooked for hours are among the most popular choices.

Pippo

Pippo is located at Paraná 356 and is the restaurant the city recognizes as the undisputed home of pasta in the area . Its combination of long noodles covered in red tomato sauce and homemade fresh basil pesto has made it a haven for writers and late-night office workers.

Edelweiss

Edelweiss is another iconic spot, where dark woods and a sophisticated ambiance predominate. It's located at 431 Libertad Street , steps from the theater district. Specialties include roasted meats and refined European dishes .

Revire Brasas Bravas

Revire Brasas Bravas is located at Corrientes 1124 and stands out as a modern, high-ceilinged establishment. It is famous for delighting palates with the best national grilled meats and a carefully curated selection of export wines .

The French Fry Palace

The French Fry Palace is a must-see If the plan is to savor typical local dishes, their new location at Corrientes 1612 serves tender fried milanesas accompanied by soufflé potatoes , crispy and puffed up with hot air inside.

Which ice cream shop to go to on Corrientes Street

After dinner or at the end of a long walk admiring the brightly lit shop windows, your stomach craves something sweet and refreshing. Luckily, Buenos Aires has incorporated the traditions of Italian immigration into its local ice cream production . And two of the best examples of this line can be found on Corrientes Street—almost any time of day!

The undisputed winner of prestige among ice cream shops on Corrientes Street is Cadore, located at Corrientes 1695. Since 1957. Unlike commercial chains, here they prepare the product daily in the same place where they sell it, maintaining artisanal work processes.

The house specialty is dulce de leche . They make it using a slow-cooking method that evaporates the milk and sugar for hours, resulting in a dense texture and concentrated flavor. Other recommended options include pistachio, Italian chocolate with hazelnuts, and strudel , which combines pieces of apple, walnuts, and cinnamon. They also offer water-based alternatives for those who don't consume dairy, such as lemonade with mint and ginger.

You can buy anything from single-serving cups to a kilo to share. The place is small and designed for ordering at the counter and eating on the go , so it's common to find a line on the sidewalk on weekends.

Another surefire option for ice cream on Corrientes Street is Scannapieco, with a branch in Plaza La Plaza (Corrientes 1660, shop 7). The business started in 1938 by Italian immigrants and is now run by the descendants of the founding family. They use classic cylindrical steel tubs with lids, an old-fashioned method that protects the texture and temperature of the ice cream.

Among the menu's specialties are zabaglione, made with egg yolk and sweet wine, dulce de leche, and pistachio . They also serve less common recipes, such as cinnamon ice cream and burnt coconut.

Buenos Aires is one of the metropolitan areas with the highest ratio of bookstores per capita in the world. And Corrientes Avenue is an epicenter of the city's literary appetite. What sets this place apart from other major streets around the world is that the booksellers don't close their shutters when the sun goes down .

Most of the bookstores on Corrientes Street are located between the old Esmeralda Street and Callao Avenue . It's a stroll where chain stores selling the latest releases coexist with tiny aisles crammed with old magazines and rare used books, hard to find in regular catalogs.

Let's look at the must-visit bookstores and the secrets of the great reading event that completely stops traffic once a year.

Kafka Bookstore

Kafka is a classic bookstore specializing in used and out-of-print books . Its catalog features literature, philosophy, and social sciences, categorized by genre to facilitate searching by author. Because they are secondhand books, the prices are lower than those in bookstores selling new releases . It's a place designed for those seeking antique editions or browsing bins of remaindered books.

Location : Corrientes 1117

Hernández Bookstore

Librería Hernández boasts a catalog focused on sociology, philosophy, politics, history, and Latin American literature . It's one of the best places to find works by lesser-known national authors. Offering new releases and recent publications, their prices reflect current market rates.

The space is divided into clearly marked aisles for organizing study materials and fiction. It's the perfect place to find academic essays or Argentine fiction, with expert advice from booksellers.

Location : Corrientes 1436

Eudeba Bookstore

Eudeba 's location on Corrientes Avenue is the sales point for the University of Buenos Aires Press . Its aim is to provide access to a catalog of university textbooks, research, essays, and academic publications .

Because it is a state-run publishing house, the books are affordably priced compared to commercial publications. The library offers access to technical texts and teaching materials required for university courses. For this reason, it is frequently used by professors, students, and researchers who need institutional support materials.

Location : Corrientes 2040

La Cátedra Bookstore

The Chair This bookstore focuses its inventory on the performing arts . It carries texts of plays, directing manuals, acting theory, and texts on set design and lighting . Due to its proximity to the theaters on Corrientes Avenue, its regular customers are actors, playwrights, and students .

Prices vary depending on the origin of the text, as they offer both new and used copies. It's the go-to resource for those working in the art world who need technical tools.

Location : Corrientes 1620

Zivals Bookstore

Zivals is a record store and bookstore , so its space is divided into two sections. On the main floor, it offers new releases, contemporary fiction, and art books . In the music section, it carries CDs, vinyl records, and audio accessories .

Book prices are the official publisher prices, while music prices vary depending on where it's imported from. Its location makes it a go-to place for the latest releases.

Location : corner of Callao and Corrientes

Lucas Bookstore

Librería Lucas is another option for buying and selling used books. Its catalog includes fiction novels, encyclopedias, textbooks, and collectible magazines . Prices are reasonable and depend on the condition of each book. It's a place to browse through stacks of books, ideal for finding out-of-print titles at affordable prices.

Location : Av. Corrientes 1247

Underground Bookstore

As its name suggests, Librería del Subsuelo (Underground Bookstore) is located below street traffic, on the lower level of a gallery overlooking Corrientes Avenue. It specializes in secondhand books, with a catalog focused on essays, psychoanalysis, philosophy, and literature at reduced prices. Descending the gallery stairs, you can browse out-of-print editions with the guidance of the booksellers.

Location : Corrientes 1187

The Night of the Bookstores

The city of Buenos Aires is unique in the world for the quantity and quality of community-based cultural experiences right on the streets. Every November, readers, writers, and the general public gather on Corrientes Avenue for an event that has become a classic: La Noche de las Librerías (The Night of the Bookstores ).

During that night, traffic is blocked, and the entire street becomes a single literary pedestrian promenade. Businesses extend their regular hours until nearly midnight and display enormous trays outside.

In addition to commercial offerings, the city management has installed infrastructure along the streets, such as the El Aleph Stage or the reflective Urgent Stage, where journalists, poets, essayists, and historians give free literary talks for residents . All of this takes place against the backdrop of the spectacular illuminated city center at night.

Staying near the vibrant center of Buenos Aires is the best way to manage your sightseeing itinerary. Hotels on Corrientes Street offer accommodations to suit a wide range of budgets and facilitate any travel plan to the Argentine capital.

Based in this area, you can end your day at 2:00 AM in a traditional restaurant or bar and walk straight back to your hotel, or adapt to any showtime at the theaters and cinemas on the avenue. It's also the point with the fastest connections via subway lines and public buses .

Let's take a look at some of the best hotels on Corrientes Avenue and in the surrounding area.

Huinid Obelisco Hotel

Just steps from the Obelisk in Buenos Aires, the Huinid Obelisco Hotel is a modern, four-star option. Its location allows you to walk to the Colón Theatre, 9 de Julio Avenue, and the main commercial points of interest in the area .

The accommodation features soundproofed rooms with air conditioning and safety deposit boxes, ideal for a restful stay away from traffic noise. It also has a spa area, a gym with state-of-the-art equipment , its own restaurant serving local cuisine, and a full breakfast buffet .

It is an establishment prepared to accommodate both families traveling for tourism and professionals attending business meetings . Its rates are in line with the average for hotels in the city center.

Broadway Hotel Suites

The Broadway Hotel Suites is located at 1173 Corrientes Avenue, in the heart of Buenos Aires' theater district . This restored Art Deco building offers an experience in a historic architectural setting combined with contemporary hotel services.

Its rooms are spacious suites, making it very comfortable for extended stays or family groups. One of the hotel's biggest draws is its rooftop terrace, where guests have access to a seasonal outdoor pool and sauna area , with panoramic views of the city's domes. The hotel also features a fitness center, meeting rooms, and a restaurant.

Its rate is competitive within the four-star category. Choosing this accommodation means stepping out the front door and being surrounded by the marquees of the theaters, bookstores, and pizzerias of Corrientes Street.

Novotel Buenos Aires

Located at 1334 Corrientes Avenue, the Novotel Buenos Aires offers an open-air relaxation space amidst the hustle and bustle of the city center. Unlike other accommodations in the area, this hotel features a spacious internal courtyard surrounded by greenery. uncovered pool .

Its rooms are modern and functional, designed for couples and families with children. The stay includes access to the gym, recreational areas, and a restaurant known for its Mediterranean-inspired menu and cocktail options .

The rates are in the mid-to-high-end segment. Staying here guarantees immediate access to the nightlife and the subway network.

NH Collection Buenos Aires Lancaster

The NH Collection Buenos Aires Lancaster is housed in a historic English-style building on the corner of Córdoba and Reconquista avenues . This is in the heart of the Retiro district, steps from the pedestrianized Florida Street , Plaza San Martín, and the restaurants of Puerto Madero . The hotel retains classic design details, such as wooden floors and antique moldings, combined with contemporary furnishings in its luxurious rooms.

Guests have access to a fitness center, sauna, and fully equipped spaces for conventions or events . A signature cuisine restaurant and a breakfast buffet are located on the ground floor. Prices reflect the brand's premium status, catering to a clientele that prioritizes personalized service and uninterrupted comfort.

Hotel NH Buenos Aires Tango

The NH Buenos Aires Tango is located directly across from Avenida 9 de Julio, steps from the Obelisk . This four-star hotel is ideal for those seeking comfort and quick access to the city's cultural attractions. Its location allows you to walk to the Teatro Colón , the pedestrianized Florida Street, and the nightlife on Avenida Corrientes .

The rooms are soundproofed, have a contemporary design, and are equipped with a desk. The hotel also features a fully equipped gym and meeting rooms with technology for corporate events .

The hotel restaurant serves an international menu with local specialties and a varied breakfast buffet. It's a superior hotel in the heart of the city, so its rates are in the upper-middle segment of the market.