Salsa dancing in Edinburgh?

Question

I'm taking a trip to Edinburgh soon and I love to salsa dance. Can anyone recommend some good clubs I can go to if I'm 18? :) Thanks!

Answer 1

Salsa Viva

Salsa Viva run by Jorge is in 2 main venues and often in others.

1. Currently not running a regular club

2.Thursday Nights in Baracoa

For more info mail Jorge . or phone [phone] " With DJ Coco, a member of band APU and now Uchukutá.

  

Mi Salsa,

A favouite club with DJ Freddy takes place in the' Studio 24' on Carlton Rd. Fridays third weekend of month 8-3am . Phone [phone] for info. FAMILIES WELCOME



El Barrio, 104 Westport, Edinburgh Tel. [phone] (website here)

New Cafe-bar run by Héctor dedicated to latino-carribean culture and music. Brand new dance floor and music system, Runs classes Mondays, Tuesdays Wednesdays aThursday and Sunday, and includes live music and workshops in dancing.

The programme currently is

Monday 8pm - 1am Olé! An Hispanic night of flamenco, sevillanas, and rumba

Wednesday 10pm - 1am SABROSO! salsa night (preceded by classes), with DJ Nano.

Thursday 8pm - 1am  Salsa and other music night

Friday 8pm - 1am  SABROSO! A hot-blooded salsa night with DJ Nano.

Saturday 8pm - 1am  LATINO LOCO! A top selection of Latin, Hispanic, Afro Caribbean and tropical dance grooves from the past and present.

Contact Hector on [e-mail],. He has a mailing list for his club.



Club Latino

- now run by Simon Hodges, at the Bongo Club. For great cuban sounds and live music once a month 2nd friday of the month Supports local and visiting musicians and performers.



Salsa Connections at the Mambo Club,

Tollcross. The Mambo club has a new salsa club on Saturday nights called 'Latin Explosion', run by salsaconnections. Hosts the Uk salsa heats, and visiting teachers doing classes and shows.

Also the old Mambo club with African, Reggae and Latin every Friday night. Two floors, bottom floor is a mix of African and Latin Music, the top floor is Reggae. Normally pretty full and sweaty. Not to everyone's taste ( i.e. serious pick-up joint), but certainly a wide range of peop.e



Arakataca,

Regular monthly club playing a mix of latin, carribe and African music, at the Bongo Club £5. 11-3am including dance class 9:30-10:30. Thai and African food available. DJ Zuppe Inglese aka Brian. Arakataca are also in El Barrio on Fridays, and in Birmingham. E-mail <[e-mail]>. Next dates:2nd Feb, 2nd & 30th March, 27th April, 25th May, 22nd June.



Baracoa

One of the fulltime latin bars with a dance floor. A'cuban' style bar at 7 Victoria Street. Baracoa has salsa most nights, mixed with other african, latin and carribean music. A number of teachers run classes here too in Salsa, Rueda (Mondays), cuban salsa and Son and Tango (Sundays)



Salsa Con Sabor. Hector of El Barrio's club name. No longer running anything much as far as I know.

  

Cuba Norte

A resturant/bar with a dance space downstairs, has a daily evening diet of good 'cuban-style' food, salsa lessons, visiting DJ playing salsa, samba and UK music. The dance floor is old shaped, and has a tree in the middle that is only good for hanging coats on! Salsa lessons on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and Sunday mostly with Orlando. 192 Morrison Street. 0131 221 0499.



Fiesta Latina

Run by the EU Hispanic Society and Anna Taylor. In Teviot Row Student Association building. Saturdays twice monthly in term time. Popular Latin and some traditional mexican and spanish music. Includes guest dancers on occasion. DJ Ana Taylor plays a good mix of music, although rather to the merengue house music end of the spectrum. Huge crowds. Largest sprung dance floor in Scotland. Usual details: 9:30-2am, Last admission midnight. Class with Salsa Angels 9:30. 4.5 pounds on the door, 23.50 stundents, 2:50 for EUHS members. Call Myrna 441 2841 or Enrique 662 4779 for more details. Dates for 2000/2001 Sat 14th October, Sat 4th November, Sat 2nd December, Sat 13th January, Sat 10th February, Sat 17th March, Sat 5th May, Sat 26th May, Sat 23rd June. Look at Anna's great new web pages

  

Siglo - a new (12/99) bar/resturant with a latin theme. Had a salsa night with classes on tuesday nights 8-9, 9:30-10.30 for £5 including tapas and a beer. Other nightsare more mainstream, but there may be salsa on Sundays. There is no dance floor as such, just lots of spaces around the tables. High ceiling, modern design, could be a nice place... we shall see. 184 The Cowgate 0131 240 2850, [e-mail]. the web page is not active yet: www.siglo-edinburgh.co.uk



Venues

The Bongo Club, a small venue at 14 New Street off the Canongate is a world music club that now hosts three latin clubs, Club Latino, Mi Salsa and Arakataca. It has a separate bar, which is good for a some chat occasionally. Nice friendly atmosphere.Also Tango upstairs tuesday 7-9



El Barrio, Latin cafe-bar with dance floor, 104 Westoport, in the old punk venue The Tap. Run by Héctor. Runs classes, salsa nights and puts on live music.



La Belle Angele, Hasties Close, Cowgate used to be for Club Latino , andSalsa Viva. Occasionally has events and other clubs



Cuba Norte aresturant/bar with a dance space downstairs, has DJs from other clubs playing most nights. It is a great venue, with 2 bars, food, and great atmosphere. After some problems with the noise and neighbours the ents programme may be changed.



Cellar Bar On Chambers Street, another music bar and resturant with bands most nights. Free. Salsa on Wednesdays with DJ Enrique. Space to dance but not much. Good bar to go any day of the week to chat and meet friends.



Baracoa a 'cuban' style bar at 7 Victoria Street.Salsa every night, including classes. Tango on Sunday afternoon/Evening



Bar Habana New Bar on the top of Leith Walk. Slight attempt to be 'latin', but has Carlos Arredondo on Sunday afternoons.



Caffe Sardi, Forrest Rd. Italian resturant ysed to have salsa. No more.



Cafe Graffiti great venue, with lots of different music. Occasionally live salsa, often latin tunes in Lizzard Lounge club. THIS HAS CLOSED DOWN IN THE OLD VENUE BUT APPEARS IN NEW VENUES SOMETIMES.



Teviot Row, Bristo Sq, for Fiesta Latina by the EU Hispanic Society and Ana Taylor on Saturdays twice monthly. Popular Latin and some traditional mexican and spanish music. Includes guest dancers on occasion. DJ Ana Taylor plays a good mix of music, although rather to the mernegue house music end of the spectrum. Largest sprung dance floor in Scotland. Usual details: 9:30-1:30pm, Last admission midnight. 2.5 pounds on the door, 2 in advance, 1:50 for EUHS members Ring AZTECA 226 6695 for more details.



Caffe Sardi, Forest Rd , A nice Italian Resturant once had salsa!.



Henry's Bar Kulu's jazz club, down on Morrison Street, opposite the ABC. Has regular jazz and special guests. Salsa Celtica and El Cometa 10 play sometimes. This is the hottest jazz venue in Edinburgh with everything from Salsa to free improvs, and dim sum



The Pleasance Cabaret Bar, The Pleasance ( underneath the theatre in the students association building) - Concerts and Dance.



Assembly Rooms, 54 George St. - Local and Visiting Bands. Hosts Club Latino during the Fringe. This year the World Music series features some excellent African bands - see the Assembly direct programme for details ( I think it can be found through the Scotland Jazz and Blues online page). In February they host the Latin Carnival. Ring 0131 220 4349 for tickets



'The Basement', Broughton Street (near the top of Leith Walk),



Negociants Basement Bar Not much here at the moment, although a much better place downstairs now it has been enlarged.



Bistro Bar William's Street, West End. Pub with Flamenco and some Latin on Monday nights. I hear it has changed hands and is not so good now.



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