When in Barcelona, you’re guaranteed to hear a constant flow of music in the streets, coming from apartments, and of course in bars and clubs. However, if you’re from anywhere other than Spain or Latin America, you may not know exactly how to dance to the Latin beat. The moves that accompany these rich and rhythmic sounds belong to both salsa and flamenco. Salsa originated in the 1970’s in New York with strong Cuban and Puerto Rican influences, while flamenco is an traditional Spanish dance involving hand clapping and foot stamping. If you’re itching to dance to the music the way the locals do but aren’t exactly sure where to start, check out the following places to get your salsa and flamenco on:
Antilla Club
As the oldest “Salsoteca” in Barcelona, Antilla club attracts quite the crowd. For more than twenty years Antilla Club has been offering free dance lessons and workshops, as well as performances. Entrance to this club is free on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, but as Fridays and Saturdays are its most popular nights, there is a small cover charge. After taking a class or two, you’ll be able to impress even the locals with your new salsa moves.
Address: Carrer d’Aragó, 141
MeetUp Salsa
MeetUp, a website and app dedicated to helping people find others with similar interests, offers numerous salsa-related events for its users. From first-time dancers to experts, MeetUp can help you find the perfect group to suit your needs. In addition to tapas and salsa evenings, MeetUp often hosts free classes, so sign up and get your dance on! Don’t forget to check the website since the locations and times for MeetUp events vary from week to week.
Address: Various locations around Barcelona
Salsa and Bachata Nights Barcelona
7sins bar and Latin Room Cocktail Bar hold classes each week with Salsa and Bachata Nights Barcelona. These classes are perfect for English speakers and are sometimes even offered for free. If you have minimal knowledge of salsa or bachata (a fast-paced rhythmic dance from the Dominican Republic) and are a bit rusty with your Spanish, these classes are the best choice for you.
Address: 7sins – Carrer de Muntaner, 7 and Latin Room Cocktail Bar- Carrer d’En Groc, 2
Mojito Club
For one of the liveliest dance floors in Barcelona, absolutely check out Mojito Club. With everyone in the room moving their hips to the beat of the Latin dance music, it’s nearly impossible to resist dancing. Mojito Club holds salsa classes every day for anyone from beginners to experts, and is busiest on Friday and Saturday nights. Sundays feature a live Cuban band, creating a truly authentic atmosphere.
Address: Carrer del Rosselló, 217
El Tablao de Carmen
If you’re looking to learn some flamenco in addition to salsa, El Tablao de Carmen offers lessons for groups. Techniques taught here include zapateado (tap dancing), arms, and clapping rhythm and improvisation. Each class costs 24€ per person and is taught by a professional dancer and sometimes even includes live singing and guitar accompaniment. Classes last for 45 minutes.
Address: Avda. Francesc Ferrer i Guárdia, 13
