No rhythm? Two left feet? No problem. You won’t have to pretend there’s an invisible electric fence around the dance floor at these clubs, which host lessons from swing dancing to salsa. What’s more, there’s booze and cheap drink specials—Nothing gets toes tapping like a little liquid courage!
Salsa Nights at Air Conditioned Supper Club
Want to learn from a champ? Look no further than Cristian Oviedo. He teaches celebs such as Will Smith and Colin Farrell how to move. What’s more, he’s won the Mayan World Salsa championship. Beginner and intermediate lessons jump-start the night at 8 p.m., followed by more experienced grooving at 10 p.m. to music spun by DJ Kameleon.
Your heart will certainly speed up at this tango party, where Yolanda Rossi teaches all comers how to perform small, quick steps while in a close embrace. You might even get the courage to cha cha cha into the Milonga dance club, where the Los Angeles Tango Trio performs for an experienced bunch.
Everything you've ever wanted to know about country dancing can be found at this Chatsworth honky-tonk where there's a class every night. Two-step, swing, electric slide: Take your pick. Need a partner? Not to worry, they can rustle one up for you.
The swing craze may have simmered down, but don’t tell the folks at the Derby—they’ve been hosting swing nights for 15 years. With its '40s decor and live swing band, this historical landmark is the place to learn the jitterbug while knocking back old-school cocktails with all the beautiful babies.
Banjo at the Echo? Say it ain’t so. This Echo Park spot might be better known for showcasing the latest indie bands, but once a month Triple Chicken Foot fires up its fiddle for a honey of a hoedown and dancers do-si-do. Beginners welcome.
Pick up new moves and sway to some of the country's top Latin musicians at this weekly salsa night. If you require a drink first to loosen up, you’re in luck: All yummy signature cocktails (normally $12 to $14) are about half-off from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. before class. Phew! Because we don’t know what’s scarier: shaking our tush or paying $14 for a drink.
At $20 a pop, this is probably is one of the priciest one-hour salsa dance classes in the city, but if you ask the pros who dance here, it’s the best. The club even holds an annual World Salsa Competition here. Better yet, the dance floor is spacious enough that you can blend into the crowd while you dance until 2:30 a.m., long after the dance lesson has ended.
If you require a teacher who wears kid gloves, line-dance teacher Cari is your gal. Not only is she patient, but she’ll also inspire you to do the two-step to Shania all night long. Still too nervous? Stop by on a Tuesday, when beer and margaritas cost just $2. We hear the more you drink, the less you feel your legs!
