Salón Málaga is a tango dance hall as it undoubtedly was in the 1950s.
In 2007 Salón Málaga celebrated its 50th birthday, but today it offers more than a trace of Medellín as it was half a century ago.
Salón Málaga isn’t slowly fading away. In fact, its stubborn refusal to die or to change has created a kind of living museum which is increasingly being recognised for its cultural significance.
Gramophones, jukeboxes, billiards tables, the smell of shoe polish or the sound of the needle as it touches down on the old 78 rpm vinyl are stimuli unlikely to trigger memories for an increasingly large proportion of Medellín’s population.
Yet the hundreds of photos on the wall of Latin American artists and of Medellín before its modern transformation are memories of yesterday for its loyal customers who interact like a large family.
Salón Málaga exhales poetry and nostalgia. It has been described as a place to talk, to drink, to dream, to cry and to mourn. And by remaining faithful to itself it seems this is still the case for many of the old people that come out to drink coffee or alcohol accompanied by good music and the occasional dance.
The salon’s owner, Gustavo Arteago, has amassed an impressive vinyl collection featuring tango, bolero, pasillo and bambuco which is considered one of the best collections of old music in Colombia. And it is here where collectors meet to discuss and trade vinyl which has an increasingly small circulation.
Salón Málaga still hosts the occasional milonga and is an excellent option for anyone looking for affordable tango lessons.
Salón Málaga
Cra. 51, 45 – 80, El Centro
(+57 4) 231 2658
www.salonmalaga.com
