The DC Traveler

Latin and salsa dancing has hit DC in a big way over the past few years. I got into it a couple years ago, and started taking lessons off and on. Clubs all over DC cater to both beginner and serious salsa dancers.  To broaden their patron base, many clubs and restaurants offer beginner and intermediate salsa lessons, before a night of Latin dancing. Some places charge a small fee ($5-$10) for the lesson while others are free.  I’ve listed only a small portion of the area places that offer lessons, but attempted to list places that have a Latin dance party afterwards where you can try out some of your new steps.

I’ve taken lessons at the Clarendon Grill, Zanzibar, eCITIES and a few other places. So if it’s your first time salsa dancing, here are a couple  recommendations:

1. Double check with the establishment to verify that Salsa lessons are still offered on that night, as it may have been replaced by Texas Hold’em Tuesday or American Idol night.
2. You can go without a partner.  Instructors usually have you switch partners often anyway. 
3. Try to get a spot in the front row, near the instructor so you can get a better view of the instructor’s feet.
4. Since many good dancers use the beginner lesson to warm-up, so when the instructor has you pair up, it’s polite to tell each dance partner your skill level.  Remember, everyone was a beginner at some point.
5. Be ready to laugh at yourself, as even seasoned dances make  mistakes. 
6. If you mess up, just keep your feet moving to the rhythm.

Mondays

• Lucky Bar - 1221 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC (map it) — Free lessons at 8:00 p.m. followed by a DJ spinning salsa and Merengue. Nearest Metro Subway Station - Dupont Circle - Red line.
• Clarendon Grill -  1101 N. Highland St. Arlington, VA (map it) — Salsa lessons for beginner 7:00 -8:00 p.m., intermediate starts at 8:00. Latin dancing with DJ Bruno starting immediately after the lessons. The intermediate class moves really FAST!! This is a very popular location for lessons, so the dance floor can get a bit crowded, even for the beginner lesson. Metro - Clarendon - Orange line.  $5.00 cover.
• Mango Mikes - 4580 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22304 (map it) — Beginner lessons at 8:30, advanced at 9:25. DJ starts at 10:30. $10 cover.
• Ocean Drive - 11230 Grandview Ave., Silver Spring, MD (map it) — Beginners 7:30, intermediate & advanced 8:15, both classes are 45 minutes. $10 fee. Metro Wheaton - Red line.

Tuesdays

• eCITIES - 8500 Tyco Road, Tysons Corner, VA (map it) — Free salsa lessons starting at 8:00.  Slow-paced and easy beginner lesson, and the crowds are generally light.  Metro - West Falls Church - Orange line.
• MEZE - 2437 18th St. NW, Washington, DC (map it) — Salsa lessons for beginners 8:00, intermediate at 9:00. The Salsa party starts at 10:00.  $5.00 cover. Metro - Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan - Red line.

If you want to practice before your first lesson, here’s a good clip of the basic salsa step.

Wednesdays

• Zanzibar on the Waterfront - 700 Water Street SW, Washington, DC (map it) — Salsa class one week, Cha-Cha the following week, both 1-hour lessons start at 7:00. I’ve attended a couple of Zabzibar’s lessons  and they are great for beginners. The dance floor has lots of room and the pace is fairly slow. Metro - Waterfront-SEU station - Green line.  $5.00 cover.
• Habana Village - 1834 Columbia Road N.W. in Adams Morgan, Washington, DC (map it) — Salsa/Merengue lessons, beginners 7:30, intermediate - 8:30 $10.00 fee. On weekends, the Village also has live Latin Jazz on the first floor, a DJ on the second floor and a live salsa band on the third floor.  This is probably DC’s top Latin dance club.

Thursday

• Cecilias Club and Lounge - 2619 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204 (map it) — Beginner classes at 7:30, intermediate and advanced 8:45, and a live salsa band starting at 10:00, $10 cover.
• Habana Village - See Wednesdays

Friday

• Habana Village - See Wednesdays

Saturday

• Habana Village - See Wednesdays

Do you have a favorite place for Latin dancing? Let us know.  Just post a comment below.

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