Classes
Rox (Mondays and Wednesdays)
Brighton Dancing run LA style classes at Rox dance studios 7.15pm Monday and 7pm Wednesday. Map.
They are drop-in classes but they are more structured than many of the classes you find at clubs. An ideal place to start for the many beginners who find the nightclub environment intimidating. They run separate groups for beginners, improvers and intermediates.
£5 per class (11th class free with loyalty card)
Clubs
Babylon Lounge (Fridays)
Brighton's most popular salsa club is Babylon Lounge on a Friday. Map.
LA style lesson 9pm, Cuban style lesson 10pm and club from 11pm to 2am.
The music here is great; they play all the traditional salsa, merengue and bachata favourites. It attracts Brighton's best dancers. The downside of its popularity is can get a little crowded and beginners can find it intimidating. But if you want the full on traditional British night club experience plus salsa dancing, this is it.
Last time I was there they had stopped providing tap water in order to increase sales of their bottled water, which is quite irresponsible because it encourages people to go without and risk dehydration or to drink more alcoholic drinks instead of water.
Times and prices listed on their website are frequently inaccurate - the people at the club do not seem to be the same people who write the site! The prices according to the door staff: £13 for two classes and club, £9 for one class and club, £6 for club only. Annual membership is available for £10 and gives a £2 discount on classes, but not on club entry. Thus it's only worth becoming a member if you're sure you will do more than 5 classes here per year.
Ralli Hall (1st/3rd Saturday of the month)
Cubashe run this club twice a month at the Hove Jewish Centre, Ralli Hall. Map. Class 8.30pm, another class 9.30pm, club 10.30pm to 2am.
It's slightly more chilled than Babylon Lounge and the crowd is a little more mature, but the huge dance floor attracts a lot of top dancers. Also sometimes has amazing exhibition dances and even live bands.
£10 for 2 classes and club, £7 for one class and club. Not sure what the price for club only is, but when I arrived at 12 I think I was charged £5.
Volks (Tuesdays)
New Cubash club night. map.
Class 8.30pm, another class 9.30pm, club 10.30pm to 1am.
Small venue, but fun, and some very advanced teaching.
£10 for 2 classes and club, £6 for one class and club, £4 for club only.
Brighton Bandstand (Wednesdays)
There is a salsa dance on the newly rebuilt Brighton Bandstand every Wednesday, 7.30 to 10pm, dependent on weather. It's run by Patricia de Souza who teaches in Preston Park on Mondays. It will only run while the good weather lasts, so catch it while you can. And it's free!
Nameless Bar (Tuesdays)
A a new club by Elegant Salsa at Nameless Bar, £5.
The rest
Salsa is incredably popular in Brighton, and there are usually at least two different salsa events somewhere in the city every single day. They seem to appear and disappear fairly frequently so be sure to check the one you want is still running. They range from large commercial clubs, to small restaurants using enthusiastic amateur salsa teachers to increase their custom. We think we've listed the best places to get you started above, but here are some more we might get around to reviewing one day:
- Patricia de Souza, The Park View, Mondays
- Russel Square, Mondays
- Elegant Salsa, Ten, Worthing, Tuesdays
- Madame Geisha, Tuesdays
- More Bar, Wednesdays
- Karma Bar, Thursdays
- Cuckoo Club, Thursdays ?
The Smugglers LoftKuKu Club Sundays ?