Sydney's best salsa clubs

While Strictly Ballroom did much to promote Latin dance in Australia, you'd have been hard pressed to find more than one or two salsa schools in Sydney back in the early 90s. Ten years ago, it all started changing. The contemporary salsa phenomenon (originating in Cuba and Puerto Rico and flourishing in the migrant communities of New York and Los Angeles) began to take root outside of the Americas. Today, there is a vibrant salsa scene in every major city of the world, and Sydney is no exception with dozens of schools and somewhere to dance every night of the week.

So why is salsa so popular? Mainly because it's a very social activity. There is a real community around salsa dancing and at a professional or performance level everyone is on a first-name basis. It's also fun, a form of exercise, improves your dance skills and has a sexy, spicy edge. "Salsa" is Spanish for sauce, after all.

If you're a complete beginner, a couple of classes are necessary to learn the basic steps and gain confidence. You can either enrol in a course at a dance school or try out a couple of casual classes at a club, no partner necessary. Salsa is an improvised dance; this means the bigger the repertoire of steps in your head, the more you have to draw from on the dancefloor. Even experienced dancers go to classes to learn new combinations and work on their technique.

Once you've got some basic moves under your belt, you're ready for social dancing. Prepare for some intimidation the first time you walk into a salsa club – it's like stumbling onto the set of a musical. Not only is everyone scarily good but the music is much faster than it would be for a class and it may be all you can do to keep up. Don't be disheartened and remember that practice makes perfect; drop in regularly to any of these salsa nights and eventually your hips will be putting Shakira and Ricky Martin (or at least your mates) to shame.

MONDAY

Pumphouse Bar
Monday is Mambo Night with drop-in classes from 6-9pm and then social dancing from 9pm. There are live performances every other week. $15 class/$8 social.

Oneworld Sport Parramatta
Casual drop-in classes from 7-9pm and open social dancing from 9pm. $15 class; social free.

TUESDAY

Establishment
Well-established night Rumba Motel hosts drop-in classes from 8pm and social from 9pm, with live percussion every few weeks and occasional salsa performances. Free.

WEDNESDAY

Coolabar
Drop-in classes from 7.30-9.30pm, followed by social dancing with regular live performances. $18 class; $10 social.

The White Horse
Drop-in classes from 8pm and social from 9pm. The teachers and styles alternate with a salsa performance every month. Free.

THURSDAY

Cruise Bar
Salsa on the Rocks is a well-established salsa night with no classes and social dancing from 8.30pm. DJ Chocolate Escobar plays Dominican, Puerto Rican, LA, NY and Cuban music. Free.

La Cita
Classes from 6-9pm, then social from 9pm. Classes are grouped into six-week courses, so it's best to check which week they're in before you drop in. Live band from 9.30pm. Also open seven nights a week for the club; and Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays for classes.$20 class; social free.

SATURDAY

Vivaz
A relaxed social night with beginner drop-in classes from 7.30pm and social dancing from 9pm. A live band takes over from the DJs at 10pm. Also open on Fridays. $10 class; $15 social ($10 on Fridays).

SUNDAY

Martini Bar
Salsa con Coco is beginner salsa classes from 7pm and social dancing from 9pm with DJ Coco. $10 class; social free.

Docks Hotel
Salsa Caliente, a social night with no classes, kicks off at 8.30pm. Free.

TOP 5 SALSA SCHOOLS
Want to do a course or a more structured dance class? Try these dedicated dance schools:

1. Latin Motion Dance Academy
Casual drop-in classes ($20) and eight week courses available ($140) at Sydenham, Balmain and Bondi studios.

2. Latin Dance Australia
Two-hour workshops ($60), four and eight week courses ($60-$140) available at Broadway, Parramatta and Burwood studios.

3. Dance Central
Drop-in classes ($16) are taught by teachers from different dance schools at the Surry Hills studio near Central Station.

4. Same-Sex Salsa
Six-week courses ($60) are held at Newtown studio a few times a year.

5. Sydney Dance Company
Latin classes (including salsa) are run on a casual drop-in basis ($20) at Walsh Bay studios.