Tablao Flamenco El Cardenal — Attraction in Córdoba

This show was the third show we saw in three days. One in Jerez, one in Seville and this one, Tablao Flamenco el Cardenal in Cordoba. There are other shows in Cordoba but this was the only one on the night we wanted that had a front row table. We arrived and joined the line. We prepaid at the hotel so we just handed our voucher and were offered a drink at the bar which is at next to the ticket taker. We were then seated in what was formally the large internal garden of a house years ago. The rest of the tourists were seated and the show began. The singer and guitarist started. They were joined by a dancer. She was joined by two more dancers. Then there was a solo male dancer and he was then joined by one female at the end it was all hands on deck. The show was good. Not the best we saw but good. The guitarist was the best guitarist we had seen of the past two shows mentioned above. The show allows taking phots and videos which is what elevated them from a 3 to a 4-star review. I feel it is essential that you are allowed to leave with the experience recorded wither in video or stills for your future memories. Especially if it was a good show. Cordoba has many flamenco shows and this is one located in the historical section of the city a short 10 minute walk from our hotel. If you want a show and dinner, I suggest looking into the flamenco show in the Juderia, the old Jewish section of the town. We were told it’s a good show. Hopefully I’ll be back to try that location...

It was really easy to book and pay online. I stayed home all day as I wasn’t feeling well and decided to do something in the evening to make the day not pass by without something. It was a good choice! I took my two daughters and we had a blast. I left feeling inspired to learn some history to Flamenco dancing and having learnt that I reflected on the show with greater appreciation so maybe if you don’t know anything like me read up about it before you go. The female vocalist was very good. I just wish I understood Spanish so that I could appreciate further the emotions. I found the group to have great chemistry together which was nice. Lots of energy. I don’t know why I thought the performers would be younger, but I think it’s nice that they are mostly mature, I think it adds to the ‘cultural’ feeling. Also I’m not sure how the seating works. I would have payed more if I could have chosen seats at the front. We were at the back. However my little girls were given tall stools to sit and have a better view which was good. The stage is small and the seating is intimate, I think it has a beautiful setting! If you want to get out in the evening I definitely recommend...

I don't normally go mad for flamenco - it's an acquired taste for many - but on my first ever trip to Córdoba I felt it made sense to soak some up in a place that lives and breathes this art form. I'd been to a show in Sevilla previously and made the mistake of ending up in a tourist venue. Because of that, I wasn't expecting to have my opinion changed.

How wrong could I be? True, there's no shortage of tourists in El Cardenal, but there's no shortage of connoisseurs either. Flamenco is the Spanish equivalent of Soul music, and if you happen to see a a raw, street-level performance of it (not intended for tourist consumption) chances are you won't get it, feel it or appreciate it. What you get here is national champions of the art, normally on a break from worldwide tours and back to see family. These are professionals that train to the umpteenth degree to deliver something polished, accessible and mesmerising. I don't like the idea of singling out any individual for praise, but it was a massive treat to see/hear Paco Lucena on guitar. Oh my lord...

If you truly want to see flamenco performers at the top of their game, you have to come here. It'll knock...