New to salsa? Nervous? Don't be! Most clubs offer free classes at the start of the night, and I've made it easy for you to find these. Experienced salseros will be glad to see you.

Please contact me with any new information. Updates are welcome from anyone.

Things change. Call the venue first when planning your big night.

NOT ALL SALSA NIGHTS ARE WEEKLY, read the notes.

Day	Venue	Location (click for map)	Hours	Lesson	Dress	Cover	Notes
Sunday	Alfies	2417 Welsh Rd 215 671-1460	9:15p-1a	Basic	Casual1	$5	Andino & La Clave
	JJ's Cafe	1065 Erie Av	?	Basic	?	?	Info needed!
	Polish Home	9150 Academy Rd	5p-9p	No	Casual1	$10	3rd Sun. ONLY
	Jamz Rollerskating Center	7017 Roosevelt Blvd	6p-10p	No	Casual1	$10	Roller salsa! Wow! 1st Sun. ONLY
Monday	No clubs open. Group classes at Take the Lead, Master Jay Moves and Center City Dance Studio.
Tuesday	Reef Lounge	605 S. 3rd St. 215 629-0102	8p-2a	Bachata 8p int. salsa 9p	Casual1	$12 8p $5 9p-	75% salsa
Wednesday	Brasils	112 Chestnut St 215 413-1700	9p-2a	Intermed.	Casual	$5+8	90% salsa
	North by Northwest	7165 G-town Av 215 248-1000	8p-2a	Basic & Intermed.	Any	$5+ 4	Live music 2nd Wed. Basic lesson 8pm, intermed. lesson 9pm.
	Sadiki's	7152 Ogontz Av 267-833-4071	7p-close	?	Any	?	Latin mix, DJ Lito
	SHDA Manayunk	4401 Cresson Street 215-482-1611	9p-1a	Yes?	Casual	$10	DJ Fausto Rey Begins 9/17
Thursday	Tierra Colombiana	4535 N. 5th St.	9p-2a	Basic On2	Casual	$5 after 10p	DJ Sazam
	Cuba Libre	10 S. 2nd St 215 627-0666	11:30p- 2a	No	Date1	Free!	"Reggaeton night"
	Plush	338 N. 8th St	9p-2a	No	Casual	No	DJ Bombon et al.
	Family Tavern	1130 E. Luzerne 215 537-8811	9p-1:30a	Basic	Casual1	Free	Lessons by Flaco
	Club Lyrics	Roosevelt & Harbison 215 533-5888	9p-2a	No	Any?	?	Info needed!
	Club Skyy	701 Adams Ave	9p-2a	Basic	Casual1	Free	Lessons by La Luna
Friday	Brasils	112 Chestnut St 215 413-1700	9p-2a	Basic	Casual	$10M/$5W2	50% salsa3
	Cuba Libre	10 S. 2nd St 215 627-0666	11:30p- 2a	No	Date1	Free!	Shows. Tile floor.
	Dr. Watson's	216 S. 11th St 215 922-3427	9p-1:30a	Basic	Casual	No
	Club Mambo	1850 N. 5th St.	9p- 1:30a	Casino Rueda6	Casual	Free	Over-30 mixer
	Miami Cafe	429 South St.	9p-2a	Yes	Nice1	Free	DJ Rumbero
	La Esmeralda	4535 Torresdale Ave 215 569-1667	9p-2a?	No	Casual1	Free	DJ Rumba
	Center City Salsa	1520 Sansom St 215 564-2575	8p-mid	Basic	Casual1	$10	Buffet incl. 1st&3rd Fri ONLY
Saturday	Brasils	112 Chestnut St 215 413-1700	9p-2a	Basic	Casual1	$10M/$5W2	50% salsa3
	Miami Cafe	429 South St	9p-2a	No	Nice1	?	DJ Joe Figueroa
	Cuba Libre	10 S. 2nd St 215 627-0666	11:30p- 2a	No	Date1	Free!	Shows. Tile floor.
	La Esmeralda	4535 Torresdale Ave (215) 743-6355	9p-2a?	No	Casual1	Free	DJ Rumba
	Shampoo	417 N. 8th St	9p-1:30a	No	Casual1	?	50% salsa (main room) 1st Sat. ONLY

The Fine Print

Salsa Survival Tips

Ponytails are vicious on the dance floor. If your hair is long, let it down or put it up.

Say yes when asked to dance. This goes for both men and women! Relax, you don't have to marry this person. If you really don't want to dance right now, say you are sitting the song out— and then sit the song out. After dancing once with a particular person that night, it's OK to say no.

The fastest way to learn is by dancing with a variety of partners. Especially if you are a woman, because men will lead you in a variety of moves. Classes help too. Private lessons are extremely effective, but they cost more.

Support the venue— buy a drink! Buy soft drinks or water if you don't drink alcohol. I do not recommend having more than one drink before a lesson.

Women: relax, loosen your grip and let him lead you. Men: lead! Don't wait for her to direct you. If you want to alter the ground rules, ask first.

Philadelphia Salsa News

2008-08-20

Beginning September 17th, Society Hill Dance Academy's new Manayunk location will host salsa nights every Wednesday, from 9pm till 1am. SHDA's recently opened second studio is located on the R6 Manayunk station platform, which is awful darn convenient for those of us who live and die by SEPTA.

2008-08-12

JJ's Cafe is now offering Sunday night salsa, not far from Temple University Hospital and the Erie Broad Street Line subway stop. I plan to check it out soon.

2008-07-26

Cuba Libre hosts a reggaeton night on Thursdays.

2008-07-25

No more Mambo Futuro Thursdays at Brasils. Of course, salsa at Brasils is going strong on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Hey peeps, send me updates! This one was probably gone for quite a while before I happened to walk by...

2008-07-19

Sunday salsa aboard The Moshulu is no more, alas. This summer has been hotter than usual, even down on the waterfront, and the deck of the ship was tough to dance on— but a Sunday venue in Center City is still a good idea and someone should step up to fill the gap!

2008-07-08

DJ Sazam is now hosting salsa nights at Tierra Colombiana on Thursdays, featuring a free "on 2" sala lesson at 9pm. Free admission before 10pm, $5 after. "On 2" salsa, also known as mambo, street mambo or Eddie Torres style, is the New York style— the timing is a bit different from the "on 1" salsa more familiar to Philly. It is also different from the "ballroom mambo" taught in ballroom studios. Interested parties should also check out the new Sunday "on 2" class at Estilo Dance Studio.

2008-07-05

The salsa congress rages on! An updated copy of the Sunday schedule is available, thanks to Kevin L. (if you get the old one, just click refresh). Bear in mind that the schedule remains subject to change! Contrary to the schedule, George Dennis won't be teaching at 10am as he has a prior teaching commitment elsewhere at that time.

2008-07-04

I took crappy cell phone pictures of the Philadelphia Salsa Congress schedules. They are legible! Just barely! See Saturday and Sunday. (Yes, I know they aren't great pics, but it was what I could do!) These are more complete and up to date than what is available on the salsa congress web site as of this writing. Today's workshop schedule was... um... fluid and flexible, so don't be surprised if things are a little different when your shoes hit the floor.

2008-07-03

The first half of the Philadelphia Salsa Congress workshop schedule is up. I plan to take crazy stuff I've never heard of. It's a great opportunity to work on my noseplant.

Also, the site now clarifies that all events are being held at the Convention Center, except for tonight's welcome party at Tierra Colombiana.

If you don't have your Congress tickets yet, hurry up and fix that!

2008-06-24

Salsa on the Square will not be hosting salsa during the summer. They'll be back in the fall.

Moshulu Sabroso Sundays is taking a two-week break but will be back on July 13th with an afterparty for the 29th Annual Hispanic Fiesta at Penns Landing, which will feature two days of great bands including the Jimmy Jorge Latin Express (see this article for details). Thanks to DJ Sazam and his latindancescene.com newsletter for the tips.

While I'm on the subject, the latindancescene.com newsletter is a great resource and you should subscribe if you really want to know what's happening in and around Philly. Sazam always stays on top of what's going on.

2008-06-14

The Philadelphia Salsa Congress runs from July 3rd through July 6th, with the main event held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center here in Philly on the 4th, 5th and 6th. Great workshops, stellar performances, the best social dancing you'll see in your life— at least, until your next salsa congress. Don't stand around in the clubs wondering where everybody is— join the rest of us at the congress!

Editorial comment: I spoke with a woman who used to take lessons out in Hawaii. She mentioned that men and women switched roles for the last five minutes of every class. I like this idea. Women would gain more sympathy for the men who lead them, and men would find out what they're asking for. We'd also wind up with an entire cityful of potential dance instructors. Oh wait, we have one already...

2008-05-20

Do you miss Rock Lobster? Good news: this Sunday, Moshulu will begin offering outdoor salsa on the waterfront, with lessons at 8pm by Barbara Capaldi! Sound familiar?

2008-05-13

Free on Thursday nights? Plush Nightclub now hosts latin nights on Thursdays, playing a mix of styles including salsa, merengue, reggaeton and bachata.

2008-05-03

There has been a shortage of women in Philly's salsa clubs lately. Women, if you're in any danger of spending tonight at home watching your dryer spin, may I suggest spinning on the dance floor instead?

I'm not the only one who's noticed. Barbara Capaldi has also commented on the subject.

2008-04-19

Goji Tokyo's phone number has been disconnected, so I am assuming they are no longer in business and do not have salsa nights on third Saturdays. If you know better, clue me in.

2008-03-11

Kirby informs me that Shampoo's Latin night is every first Saturday. So Shampoo is back in the directory. Thanks, Kirby.

2008-03-08

Shampoo doesn't seem to have a regularly scheduled latin night happening right now. If you know different, contact me.

2008-02-27

Center City Salsa is hosting salsa parties on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month. Doors at 8pm, lesson at 9pm, dancing 10pm till midnight. $10 cover, buffet is included. This is at the Master Jay Moves studio. Thanks to Todd for the info.

Jamz Rollerskating Center now offers "salsa rollerskating" every first Sunday of the month. A family event. Wow, that is seriously awesome. You can bet my daughter and I will check this out soon. Thanks to the Latin Dance Scene newsletter... get a real web site guys so I can point people to you!

2008-02-05

Cafe Habana has closed its doors, according to Heather. If you have information to the contrary, please contact me.

2008-02-03

Club Lyrics no longer has salsa on Sundays. Fortunately Alfie's is as great as ever on Sunday nights.

2008-01-24

La Esmeralda now hosts "salsa, merengue, bachata, cumbia & reggaeton" every Friday and Saturday night.

Word has it that Club Mambo has closed its doors. If you can confirm that, please let me know. Thanks!

2008-01-10

Dr. Watson's in Center City is launching a salsa night on Fridays. Beginner-friendly lessons officially start at 9pm (I'm told that things really get going somewhat later). No cover charge was mentioned when I called. Thanks to Jason for the original tip.

2007-12-23

Club Skyy is hosting a salsa night on Thursdays, with lessons at 9pm by La Luna Dance Studio. Thanks to Yusefa.

Brasils now hosts the Jimmy George salsa band, every second Wednesday. $10 cover on these nights. So worth it.

2007-10-29

Salsa at The Loft appears to be at an end. Unless someone else is teaching there now that Estilo has stopped, that is. Information welcome.

Fellas like me who can't figure out where to buy 'em will be interested to know that King of Jeans, 1843 East Passyunk Ave., stocks some great salsa shirts. Tips on other sources are welcome.

2007-10-15

DJ Rumbero is spinning "salsa, mambo and cha cha cha, absolutely no merengue, bachata or reggaeton" at Club Lyrics on Sundays, 7pm to 11pm. If Alfies is a long trip for you, this might be your night. Thanks to Steve B.

Salsa at Lucky Strike Lanes is no more. We hardly knew ye...

2007-10-03

The Northeast Philadelphia Doubletree Hotel is hosting a salsa party in support of the Gift of Life organ donor program on Friday, October 19th. $10, salsa lesson at 7pm. For details see the Gift of Life website.

2007-09-13

Lucky Strike Lanes now offers salsa on second and fourth Wednesdays, with DJ Joe Figueroa. From 7pm-11pm with a beginner lesson at 7pm.

Rock Lobster has closed for the season. See you there next summer!

2007-08-27

Angela's A Lounge apparently does not have a salsa night in the summer, but their "Spanish night" will evidently return in September according to Yusefa H. They will not have salsa classes.

2007-08-13

Club Mambo has lots of lessons on Thursday nights now, taught by Jose Maldonado of Living In Rhythm International. Basic salsa at 7pm, bachata & merengue at 8pm, and cha cha at 9pm followed by an open dance floor from 10pm till 2am. Thanks to Sarita for the update.

2007-08-02

Miami Cafe on South Street now offers salsa on Friday and Saturday nights. Lessons are offered on Friday nights only. Together with The Reef, that adds up to three nights of salsa on South Street!

2007-07-02

Updated and new listings for Tierra Colombiana (Fridays), Family Tavern (Thursdays), Club Mambo (Fridays, over-30 mixer), Shampoo (Saturdays) and Reef (Tuesdays). Many, many thanks to Lorrainne for this huge update!

2007-06-29

Goji Tokyo Cuisine now offers latin nights on third Saturdays. Thanks to Patrick.

Cafe Habana continues to offer a "latin dance party" on Saturdays but does not appear to be open on Thursdays any longer.

My two cents: rumor has it that yet another club in Center City may start up salsa on Wednesdays. Why? Dancers already have a choice of Brasils, Rock Lobster, and North by Northwest on Wednesday.

Club owners: please consider Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is much less competition on those nights. Especially Sunday and Thursday.

2007-05-28

Mexican Post, Mixto and Samba no longer feature salsa nights. Thanks to Shawnette and Thomas for the news.

2007-05-26

Latin music is back at Rock Lobster, this year on Wednesdays. Latin nights begin June 6th. Lessons will be taught by Living in Rhythm International this time around. Thanks to all who called or wrote to encourage them to bring back latin nights. And thanks to Arthur Lim for the update.

2007-02-15

Happy Day After Valentine's Day - Estilo Dance Studio informs me that salsa at Samba is back by popular demand! First and third Fridays only.

2007-02-06

I'll give you the bad news first. That way we can end on a high note.

The bad news: Samba no longer offers salsa.

The good news: Reef Caribbean Lounge, at 3rd and South Streets, has added a latin night on Tuesdays. A free advanced salsa lesson taught by Joe Figueroa begins at 9pm. "Advanced" is a great thing - Just understand that it moves much faster than the "intermediate" lessons at Brasils and NxNW. Other classes with a separate fee are offered earlier in the evening: Bachata at 7pm and a more in-depth intermediate/advanced salsa lesson at 8pm. For complete information see Joe Figueroa's website.

2007-01-07

Mexican Post, in the Far Northeast (Franklin Mills), now offers salsa on Wednesday nights beginning with a lesson at 9pm. Lessons by Estilo Dance Studio. Thanks to Jeremy for the tip.

2007-01-04

North by Northwest has new instructors from Atrium Dance Studio. On my recent visit the basic lesson is very basic, footwork only (not bad, just super-basic). The intermediate lesson was somewhere between a basic and an intermediate lesson at Brasils. I highly recommend staying for both lessons so that you learn some partnered dance. Both lessons were helpful and enjoyable. The basic lesson starts at 8pm, not 7:30pm (contrary to their website - when in doubt, always call).

2006-11-13

Brasils will host a salsa dance contest Wednesday, November 15th. Two floors of dancing. The regular 9pm intermediate lesson will not be held. Competition is open to all. Cash prize for the winners!

Cuba Libre offers salsa both Friday and Saturday nights, not just Saturdays as previously listed. Thanks to Melissa.

2006-11-02

Samba is closed for dancing tomorrow night, November 3rd, 2006. They will be open as usual on November 10th.

Samba's salsa nights are Fridays, not Saturdays as previously listed. My apologies for the error.

2006-10-19

Cafe Habana has been added to the directory. In addition to their long-running Saturday latin nights, they have recently added latin nights on second and third Thursdays. Yes, I know it's not on their website yet.

2006-10-16

Brasils changed hands relatively recently, and their old website now belongs to an online casino. But don't worry, they are still very much in operation.

Rock Lobster, a summer venue for Sunday salsa, has closed for the season. They will be back in June.

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