Just a few steps from the Glorieta de Cibeles, in the Roma neighborhood, a row of white and red awnings hide cell phone accessories, electronic cigarettes, pipes for smoking marijuana, plants, key rings and cheeses… basically a grab bag of anything you can think of. You could even get a massage, cut your hair, eat an Argentine churrasco or buy yourself a selfie-stick here.
Named for its location, in the El Oro alley (between Medellín and Monterrey streets), this street market is an old tradition but, like most things in the Roma neighborhood, it has been appropriated by its trendy inhabitants.
So, in addition to offering the classic loot (records, sneakers, purses, and movies), clothing stalls have been installed as per local demand, too. Now, you can find t-shirts with of Frida Kahlo and Vogue prints, ballet flats with dogs and mice printed on them, and a stand with a variety of socks and stockings with all kinds of decorations: hearts, hipster mustaches, leopard dots, stripes and whatever else you can imagine.
To make matters worse, there is a small business for fans from hell of The Beatles with items from the band, such as toys, records, videos, stickers and posters. It's worth taking a dive and discovering some hidden gems.
When it’s time to eat, the bazaar has an area of food that ranges from barbecue, quesadillas, carnitas, huaraches, cakes, and tacos to sweet and salty crepes, falafel, and kebabs. But if you just want something to quench your thirst, look for the snow-cones stand.
During the week the alley is just that, an alley, and the food market portion is up and running also on Wednesdays.