The Best Outdoor and Historical Cinemas in Buenos Aires

This outdoor cinema experience is quintessentially Palermo Soho. Hosted on a roof terrace in the middle of Buenos Aires’ hippest neighbourhood, Crepas Cinema Club holds weekly movie nights on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. They have an eclectic selection that spans everything from cult classics such as Fight Club and Memento to children’s favourites such as Aladdin, and even cheesy yet undeniably loved hits like The Sound of Music. Follow them on Facebook and buy your tickets on their Eventbrite page.

Bringing it back to the old school is this free drive-in theatre located in one of the prettiest parks in Buenos Aires, the Rosedal, or Rose Garden. Last year’s movies included modern Argentine flicks, for example Los Dueños, Hollywood blockbusters like Guardians of the Galaxy, and indie gems such as Nebraska. This journey back to the golden age of film viewing takes place in the summer and fills up quickly (first come, first served). Check out the cultural web page of the city government for listings and more info.

This cinema club is located in a stunning belle époque mansion in the southern neighbourhood of Barracas on the border of San Telmo and near to the up-and-coming Caseros Avenue. The house is dripping with period features, such as art nouveau stained-glass windows throughout, and sweeping staircases ideal for the photoshoots that often take place here. But perhaps the standout room is the purpose-built cinema. Restored with thoughtful detailing to the grand and historic character of the house, the wood and leather seats and timber paneling of the room will transport you to a bygone era, as will the selection of world cinema on offer. Check out their Facebook page for weekly listings.

Located in a park in the centre of Buenos Aires, this amphitheatre hosts a wide array of events during the summer. It is home to many of the Jazz Festival shows, and organizes a program of movies that are shown in this idyllic setting during the summer months. Bring a blanket and a bottle of wine and enjoy the panoramic view of the giant screen that is set up on the stage. Check out the city government web page for updates.

This pint-sized cinema in the heart of the theatre district in downtown Buenos Aires is a local institution. Full of retro 60s details that recall the era it was built in, Lorca is a must-visit for lovers of old-school charm. Showing Argentine and international films from yesterday and today, this cinema is worlds away from the multiplexes of the modern era, and has the vintage neon signage outside to prove it. Check out the listings here.

This quaint cinema in the northern neighbourhood of Villa Urquiza was supposed to be a local homage to the central Teatro Colon, its decorative facade intended to be a smaller replica of the city’s cultural giant. Built in 1927, the original Cine 25 de Mayo closed in 1982 and recently became the Centro Cultural 25 de Mayo. Hosting a wide range of cultural events such as film screenings, theatre performances, workshops, and exhibitions, this historic building has become a firm cultural fixture of the neighbourhood. You can check out its events listings here.

This refurbished square abuts the Teatro Colon, perhaps the most famous cultural bastion in Buenos Aires. Right in the heart of the capital’s downtown, Plaza Vaticano has a privileged location, and any visitor to the outdoor cinema screenings they put on in summer can’t help but feel a part of the city. Ditch the opera next door and avail yourself of this alfresco cinema experience. Check their web page for details of screenings.