Abasto Overview

By Caroline Bennett

Though not on the agenda of the typical tourist, Abasto is another of the city's several neighborhoods to look out for. With its relatively close proximity to the popular area of Palermo Soho and longstanding tango culture, more and more businesses are popping up, particularly along the stretch of streets that link the barrio to Palermo a dozen blocks away. The area was a bustling wholesaler hub in the 1930's, but neglect and an increase of seedy activities over the decades saw the neighborhood's decline until the last decade, when an ongoing effort to rejuvenate the area ensued. Today it's worth a trip for some of the city's hottest milongas (tango houses) or shopping in the shiny mall (located in a lovely art deco building remodeled after decades of warehouse use).