Salsa 101: Hot Clubs, Free Lessons
By Fritz Hahn
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Tuesday, August 3, 1999
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Latin dancing encompasses many styles, including salsa, merengue, and mambo. But no matter which form you favor, it's hard to deny that Afro-Caribbean music is the hottest trend in the city. If you're curious about the scene, here's a guide to area clubs that spice up the night by offering lessons to beginners before the serious dancing gets underway.
Get the night-by-night rundown: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Monday
Lucky Bar
This popular nightspot offers salsa and merengue lessons from 7 to 9, followed by open dancing until 2 a.m. No cover.
Tuesday
Nick's
Salsa lessons are offered at 8 (beginner) and 9 (intermediate), followed by open dancing until 2 a.m. The cover is $10 if you show up for the lessons; $5 for dancing only.
Lulu's
A beginner lesson is offered from 7:45 to 9:15, followed by dancing until 2 a.m. No cover until 8, then $5.
Wednesday
Habana Village
This popular Adams-Morgan club looks and feels like Old Havana, which sets the mood for sweltering salsa and merengue music. There's no cover charge to dance from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.; but the beginner and intermediate salsa lessons, which run from 7:30 to 9:30, cost $10.
Latin Jazz Alley
Learn salsa on a huge wooden dance floor from 8 to 10, followed by dancing. There's no cover charge, but classes cost $5 per person, and there's a two-drink minimum at each table if you don't take the classes.
Zanzibar on the Waterfront
By all accounts, this is the hottest salsa party in Washington. It kicks off with DJs at 6 and doesn't stop until 2 a.m. Complimentary lessons are offered from 7 to 8. It pays to arrive early: There's no cover until 7. It's $5 to get in from 7 to 10; $10 after that.
Thursday
Coco Loco
More than two hours of lessons are the draw here. From 6:30 to 8, it's Rueda lessons for $10 per person. At 9, there's an hour of free salsa instruction, followed by dancing.
Habana Village
This popular Adams-Morgan club looks and feels like Old Havana, which sets the mood for sweltering salsa and merengue music. There's no cover charge to dance from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.; but the beginner and intermediate salsa lessons, which run from 7 to 9, cost $10.
Latin Jazz Alley
Washington's biggest mambo night offers lessons on a huge wooden dance floor from 8 to 9:30, followed by dancing. There's no cover charge; but classes cost $5 per person, and there's a two-drink minimum at each table.
Stars
Take a free introductory salsa lesson at 7 p.m. and an intermediate/advanced class at 8 before hitting the large dance floor at 9. Starting September 30, dance to live Latin music from La Romano on the last Thursday of the month. Classes are $12 each and include the cover charge.
Friday
Chevy Chase Ballroom
The lessons and dance party at this studio are low-key, with a good ratio of salsa, merengue and slower, more romantic music. Beginner lessons are offered from 8 to 9, followed by dancing until midnight. Instructor Nonci Tirado is a former North American Latin Dance Champion. Admission is $10 if you attend the lesson, $8 for the dancing only.
Ericos International Lounge
The two dance floors at this West African restaurant heat up with a combination of salsa, merengue, rock en español, and more. Salsa lessons are offered from 8 until 9:30, and cost $10, with no extra charge for dancing until 3 a.m. If you get there late, men pay a $5 cover charge until 11, and ladies get in free. Both sexes pay $8 after that.
Habana Village
This popular Adams-Morgan club looks and feels like Old Havana, which sets the mood for sweltering salsa and merengue music. The beginner and intermediate salsa lessons, which run from 7 to 9, cost $10; but there's no extra charge for dancing afterward. Arrive after 9 and pay $5.
Latin Jazz Alley
Learn salsa on a huge wooden dance floor from 8 to 10, followed by dancing. There's no cover charge, but classes cost $5 per person, and there's a two-drink minimum at each table if you don't take the classes.
Millennium Nightclub
For those who go out a bit later, this Hyattsville club has salsa lessons from 10:30 to 11:30, with dancing afterward. Ladies are admitted free until midnight, while men pay $10 all night.
Saturday
Habana Village
Another weekend, another night of dancing at Habana Village. This popular Adams-Morgan club looks and feels like Old Havana, which sets the mood for sweltering salsa and merengue music. The beginner and intermediate salsa lessons, which run from 7 to 9, cost $10; but there's no extra charge for dancing afterward. Arrive after 9 and pay $5.
Nick's
Salsa lessons are offered in the back room from 9 to 11 p.m., followed by dancing on the main floor until 2 a.m. The cover is $10 for lessons and dancing.
Have we missed any places? E-mail Fritz Hahn and let us know!
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