Any Excuse... Argentina Day
The greatest part about a holiday without actual traditions is bullshitting your own. No one can question your brilliance! No matter how morally depraved!
By Shannon Langan
Hence, Argentina Day, celebrating the independence of the motherland of beef and tango. It starts 9 July with an explosive bang. Once upon a time, there was a domineering father figure that kind of owned them - we'll call him "Spain". After the 1810 May revolution, a few guys formed a Congress and after a lot of talking, figured they'd give the whole becoming-a-country thing a go.
Now, Argentinians just play hooky and call it a public holiday with a few national flags for colour. We can do better than that. Head out to Argentinian-influenced Bodega Bar for tapas. This nation invented the empanada (stuffed pastry) and ingests more beef per capita than anyone, so you'd do well to order the spiced pumpkin and feta empanada and BBQ beef entraña with chimichurri. Polish it off with an Argentinian wine from their stash of South American imports.
Next stop: Tango Synergy for a free lesson. This dance began when settlers (suffering from a 10:1 ratio male to female) opted to twist and turn each other to pass the time in overcrowded brothels. Liquor was involved. Argentina has a host of grape varietals to ramp up lascivious rug cutting. Ask a barman to whip up an Argentina cocktail (gin, vermouth, cointreau, benedictine, orange and angostura bitters and orange juice) and give Argie the party he's been begging for.
Bodega Tapas Restaurant 216 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills 2010. (02 9212 7766)
Tango Synergy Italian Forum Outdoor. 2 Norton St, Leichhardt 2040. $5pp, free for first time visitors.