-34.5962, -58.3943
El Ateneo Grand Splendid
Buenos Aires
Mike's review
Visited 2026El Ateneo is probably the coolest bookstore in the world because of the building. It has been a bookstore only since 2000, but the theater dates to 1919 and still has its balconies, dome, boxes and stage. A Havanna cafe occupies the former stage. It gets crowded, and finding a table can be difficult.
From the source
El Ateneo Grand Splendid occupies the former Grand Splendid theater on Avenida Santa Fe in Recoleta. The auditorium still has its stage, red curtain, boxes, carved balconies and the 20-meter dome painted by Nazareno Orlandi. Books fill the orchestra floor and balconies, while a Havanna cafe occupies the old stage. Entry is free, so it also works as an architecture stop even if you are not shopping.
Peró and Torres Armengol designed the theater, which opened in 1919. It hosted theater, ballet, opera and early sound films. Radio Splendid began broadcasting from the building in 1923, and the Odeon label recorded artists including Carlos Gardel here. The cinema closed in 1999 and reopened as El Ateneo on December 4, 2000, with the original theater details retained.
Plan your visit
Hours
- Mon
- 09:00-21:00
- Tue
- 09:00-21:00
- Wed
- 09:00-21:00
- Thu
- 09:00-21:00
- Fri
- 09:00-21:00
- Sat
- 09:00-21:00
- Sun
- 11:00-21:00
Admission
Free
Booking
No booking needed
When to go
- Crowds: Consistently busy
Features & amenities
What to expect
- Café on site
- Indoor
Good to know
- Accessibility unknown
- Kid-friendly
Tags
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