8 places to learn and dance salsa in Charlotte
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Noche Latina at Salud Cerveceria. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
If you’ve ever been to Salud’s Noche Latina you know that Charlotteans of every shape, color and background love to dance.
Why it matters: Dancing is a huge part of Latin and Hispanic culture but having rhythm has nothing to do with your race or background. And as Charlotte becomes more diverse, that culture (and rhythm) spreads to people who normally wouldn’t be exposed to it.
Here are eight places to dance suavemente in Charlotte:
(1) Free salsa lessons at El Puro Cuban Restaurant
El Puro is one of Charlotte’s best restaurants. The owners, who were born in Cuba, offer free salsa lessons every Wednesday night. Classes begin around 8-8:30pm and they’re followed by freestyle social dancing.
Details: El Puro is located at 5033 South Blvd.
Go deeper: Havana Carolina owners open new Cuban restaurant in Charlotte
(2) Noche Latina at Salud Cerveceria
Every third Saturday of each month, Salud Cerveceria in NoDa hosts Noche Latina. The night begins at 9 with a free intro salsa and bachata lesson by Movimiento Dance Academy. Then, the lights turn off and everybody shows off their new dance moves.
- Pro tip: Get there early to grab a table, where you’ll likely want to leave your coat for the evening and pregame with beer and pizza.
Details: Salud is located at 3306-C North Davidson St.
Go deeper: Hispanic heritage is celebrated every day at Salud, a Dominican-owned brewery in NoDa
(3) Spanglish Fridays at Tequila House
Every Friday at Tequila House you can catch Latin music bumping throughout their three dance floors. This is a 21+ venue.
Details: Tequila House is located at 116 West 5th St.
- Doors open 9pm-2am.
(4) Ritmo Fridays at The Warmack
The Warmack in Plaza Midwood calls their Ritmo Tropical Fridays an “upscale Latino experience.” There are two dance rooms, food and hookah. The free salsa classes start at 10pm by Rumbao Latin Dance.
Details: The Warmack is located at 1226 Central Ave.
- Doors open 10pm-2am.
If you want to take salsa lessons the traditional way, consider one of these classes around the city:
Afincao Salsa Team — The dance team hosts $20 dance lessons for intermediate and advanced dancers on Thursdays and beginner dance classes on Tuesdays.
Beginner Latin Dance Boot Camp — This is a comprehensive Latin Dance Bootcamp that will give you the tools you need to dance merengue, bachata and salsa throughout a four-week course. Charlotte Latin Dance hosts the classes for $50 at Infinity Ballroom on 4038 Old Pineville Rd.
Rueda: Salsa Casino — Rueda is Cuban-style salsa danced in a circle where you take cues from a caller and dance with everyone. Instructor Sarah Grace Barton has taken dance classes in Colombia, Cuba and Chile. $60 for four classes, $100 for couples (four classes for two people), or $18 stand-alone classes.
Kizomba Alegria Dance Company — Kizomba Alegria Dance Company offers weekly singles and partner classes for $20. They teach Kizomba, Semba, salsa and bachata at various events and socials around the city.