Dancing in New York City

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For additional dance related information, see Aria's Dance Page.

Short List

(in alphabetical order)

Long List

General dancing four Saturdays per month. "Tango Salon" with a live band on first Saturday, live music swing dance on the third Saturday, and taped music general dance on the second and fourth Saturdays. Lesson from 7-8pm. Dancing from 8pm to midnight. There's usually a show at 10pm, and a dance contest for a T-shirt at about 11pm. Call Sandra Cameron Studio to enquire about details. GO WITH A PARTNER. General admission is $12.

/Ballroom/

Aequus Dance Studio
207 East 84th (at 3rd Ave, 2nd floor)
212-734-7263.
Practice floor available for $12/couple/hour. Guaranteed hours are 6pm - 10pm, weekdays. Approximately 10 instructors teaching through the studio, mostly private classes. Friday night social dances 9-11pm; admission is $9 and includes refreshments.

/Ballroom/

Amigos del Tango (Friends of the Tango):
90-40 64th Road, Rego Park, NY 11374
718-275-9560

Dances are not held at the above address; however applications for membership can be sent there. Tango dances are held monthly at different locations. Admission is $15 ($10 for members) Music provided by a genuine Argentine tango band.

/Ballroom/

Arthur Murray Studio
677 Fifth Ave. (between 53rd and 54th St.)
Tel: 212-935-7787.

/Ballroom/

Ballroom on Fifth
319 Fifth Ave. (at 32nd St.)
212-532-6232

Monthly gala events on a 3000 sq. ft. dance floor.

/Ballroom/

Bistro Latino
1711 Broadway at 54th Street
212-956-1000

Argentine restaurant, with weekly Tuesday dining and Argentine Tango on a 400 sq. ft. dance floor. Dancing begins at 8pm; dress code is casual. Admission charge is $20, or an all-inclusive $50 that includes a 3-course dinner. Call for more details.

/Swing/

Book-Friends Cafe
16 West 18th Street,
212-255-7407

A bookstore/cafe where you can dance to the music of Jordan Sandke and the Sunset Serenades every second Friday. $5 minimum and $5 music charge.

Note: I'm told that Book-Friends is not longer in business. Thanks to Jessica Schein for this information.

/Swing/??/

La Belle Epoque
827 Broadway at 12th Street (2nd floor)
212-254-6436

Good dance floor, live music and food. Jazz brunch on Sundays, starting at 12:30. Admission $25, $21 for NYSDS members, and $12 for music charge only (no food). Also Tango nights on Fridays (call to check).

/Latin/

The Blue Lounge
625 Broadway (at Bleeker), NY, NY 10012
212-473-8787

Latin music club and restaurant in Soho, featuring Mexican cuisine and Latin music Wednesday through Saturday nights. No cover, dressy. Contact gonzalez@taggin.com for more details.

/Swing/

Cafe Society
915 Broadway (corner of 21st street),
212-529-8282

Dinner and swing dancing to the Swing Fever Band every Monday and Tuesday from 8-12midnight. $5 music charge.

Note: According to Chris Ian, Cafe Society closed some time ago and is no longer in business.

/Ballroom/

Caripelas

212-579-9278

Argentine Tango (milonga) hosted by Carolina Zokalski y Diego di Falco, profesionals tango dancers, every Tuesday at the restaurant "Moscow" at 137 E 55th Street (corner of Lexington), restaurant reservations 212-813-1313. Dance classes 7:30-8:30pm beginners, 8:30-9:30pm intermediate. Dancing until 3am. You can contact Caripelas at caripelas@aol.com.

/Swing/

Ceroc
111 Manhattan Avenue, New York, NY 10025
212-678-6064

Ceroc is a derivative of swing/jive, a partner dance somewhat like swing, but it is danced to any type of music. It is a combination of French Jive and Rock-n-roll. It was developed in France, aimed at those who want to have fun with dancing but don't necessarily want to spend much time and effort to learn dance technique. Because of a somewhat loose lead-follow, swing and Latin American dancers find Ceroc to be sloppy and forced. However, it is also true that Ceroc has gained quite a bit of popularity in Europe and many enjoy it. In the US, it is relatively new.

This organization presents Ceroc classes and open dances. The location is at "Dublin Over NYC" (formerly called "Twist Nightclub"), 209 E. 84th St. (between 2nd & 3rd Ave.) The beginners class Tuesdays 7:30-8:15pm (no partner required) followed by a short free style session. Intermediate class at 8:30-9:00pm. Free style dancing to DJ music 9-10pm. Admission is $8 per person. Complete beginners welcome every week.

Contact persons for Ceroc are Jamie and Shelly Macdonald.

/??/

Chelsea Place
275 West 22St (at 8th Ave)
212-929-1939

/Ballroom/

Clearview Jewish Center
Utopia Pkwy & 17th Ave., Whitestone, Queens
718-352-4280 (info), 718-352-6670 (CJC)

Monthly Saturday dances (call to enquire for exact dates) 8:30pm-12:30am. Admission $8, refreshments provided.

/Latin/

Club Broadway
2551 Broadway (at 96th street),
212-864-7600

Club Broadway went out of business some time ago. At the same site another club opened (Latin Quarter). See their entry for details.

/Latin/

Club Dominicana
869 Lexington Ave (at 66th street),
212-744-2080

Dance to a live band every other Saturday from 8pm - midnight (new hours). Held in the basement of St. Vincent's church. Club Dominicana features a large dance floor, complimentary refreshments and a raffle ticket. Admission is $8.

/Ballroom/

Club NCI
800 Jericho Turnpike, Long Island, NY 11010
516-358-6133
718-891-4209

Club NCI, formerly known as the Nassau Country Inn, is located in Nassau County, Long Island. It is a dance club with a nightclub atmosphere. Social dancing Tuesdays 7:30PM with a 8:30PM lesson. Swing dance lessons every Tuesday evening 10-11pm, followed by a Lindy Hop lesson. Admission $8. On Wednesday and Friday afternoons, there is a social matinee at 12 Noon, with dance lessons taking place at 1:30 PM. On Fridays we include a singles table and a widow/widower table, everyone introduced. Music from Fox Trots, to Peabody to Bolero, Tango, Lindy, etc. Admission from $3 to $6.

Directions: Eastbound: Grand Central Parkway to Cross Island Expressway South to Jericho Turnpike exit 27 Follow Jericho Turnpike East to New Hyde Park, Club NCI is on the right. Westbound: (From Long Island) Take Northern Parkway West to Exit 25 (Lakeville Rd.) to Jericho Turnpike. NCI Club will be in front of you

/Ballroom/

Connelly Dance Centers
113-12 Liberty Ave., Richmond Hill, Queens
444 Beach 129 St., Beach Harbor, Queens
718-848-9550.

/Latin/

Copacabana
560 West 34th St. at 11th Ave.
212-239-2672

Dance mambo/salsa and merengue to live Latin music Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Cover charge varies according to the events and performers. Generally, on Tuesdays $2-$5 (before 9pm) or ladies $5, men $10 (after 9pm). Same on Fridays, except after 9pm ladies $10, men $15. Saturdays ladies $15, men $20 (10pm-4am). Call for specific events and admissions.

Copacabana is a Latin nightclub, with a large presence of nondancers or marginal dancers. You will get searched at the door for weapons. The music is very very loud. There are two sections: a rather large dance floor in front (about 1000 sq. ft.) with a large stage, and seating areas around it. In this area, they play mostly Salsa music live, with occasional Merengues (depends on the band). During the breaks, they play taped music. It can get very very crowded.

There is also a back room where taped disco is played. There are bars in both the back room and the front area. Once again, this is very much a "club" atmosphere, and not a dance hall, so be prepared. If you are a serious dancer and are going there for dancing, it is best to go with a group of similar-minded friends. Some good dancers do show up occasionally, but they are likely to stick with their own group. Depending on the time of the week you go, and whether you are a male or female dancer, your mileage may slightly vary.

/Swing/

Country Club
210 East 86th Street (between 2nd and 3rd),

Country club has closed down. It used to have dances Monday thru Saturday in a modest version of 1940's style nightclub, featuring live music of that era performed by the Country Club Swing Orchestra. It was later changed to a disco/Latin club, and is now history...

/Country/

Country Dance New York
at Metropolitan Duane Hall, W. 13th Street & 7th Ave
212-459-4080

Contra and English Country dancing to live bands.

/Swing/

Crystal City
1305 86th St. (13th Ave.), Brooklyn
718-259-0053

Dancing on Fridays 7:30pm-1:00am, Saturdays 8pm-2am, Sundays 4:30-11:30pm. DJ music, large wooden floor. Admission is $6. Refreshments available.

One patron reports that this establishment is frequented mostly by mature dancers (50-60+). If you like to dance with a younger crowd, you may be well advised to go with a partner, or a group of your own.

/Ballroom/

Dance Manhattan
39 W. 19th Street (Between 5th and 6th Avenues - studio on 5th floor)
(212) 807-0802

Renovated in 1995; has a huge 10,000 sq. ft. new floor. Variety of group and private lessons. General dances every Friday 9:15pm-1:00am. Mix of smooth, Latin and nightclub music. Admission $10. These are themic dances, including Latin night and Argentine Tango night, on four Fridays of the month (if there is a fifth Friday in a month, the studio is closed). Tango Salon every Monday evening from 9:30pm to 12:30am. Admission $9 for guests and $5 for Dance Manhattan students. Jimmy Anton's Latin Sundays social 1st and 3rd Sundays from 5pm to 9pm. Admission $10 ($13 performance evening).

/Ballroom/

Dance New York
237 West 54th St., 3rd floor (off Broadway).
Tel: 212-246-5797

Nice size floor (6000 sq. ft.). Dance each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Fridays 9:30pm-1:30am, Saturdays 8:30-12:30am, and Sundays Admission to all 7-11pm. Admission to all parties are $11.

Every Saturday and every other Sunday there is a free class in tandem to the party in the adjoining room. Each time the class is on a different dance.

There's also an unofficial web page that was operational before the studio's official web page went up in August 1999.

/Ballroom/

Dance Soiree
24-20 Parsons Blvd. (corner of Willets Pt. Blvd.), Flushing, Queens
718-767-4343 or 718-746-4340

Social dances on Saturdays from 8pm to 2:30am. Generally crowded after 10:30pm. If you are in the 45+ age category, this can be a very good outlet for you, but if you seek a younger dance crowd, this is probably not the place to go.

There is free parking, but on a somewhat limited basis. Admission is $10 and includes snacks. The ballroom is sizable. There is a small bar on the premises, which according to some patron has very reasonable prices.

/Ballroom/

DanceSport
1845 Broadway (at 60th),
212-307-1111.

Ballroom & Latin dancing. Holds Saturday night dances from 9pm-12:30am (but not every Saturday, call for more information). Admission $10. Practice sessions from Tues - Fri (for students only). Hustle parties every Monday 9:30pm to 12:30am, open to the public for $5.

/Swing/

Decade
1117 First Ave. (at 61st St.)
212-835-5979

Swing and Hustle dancing and fine dining in a sophisticated setting, but be prepared to pay for it. Dinner entrees start from $20+, and a night's culinary delights could easily cost you $70 per person. Decade has a dress code, where the jacket rule is loosely enforced, but they insist on button-up collared shirts. The crowd is not predisposed to dance with strangers, so go with a partner. Monday-Thursday 6pm-2am; Friday-Saturday 7pm-4am. $20 cover charge after 9pm.

Patrons report that the floor gets too crowded after about 10pm for any meaningful partner dancing. It seems that the place is somewhat of a pickup joint for people in their late 30's and up. The air can be heavy with cigar smoke. The "smokeless" environment that the club pamphlets proclaim is pretty much a myth; be ready to get smoked.

The following is from a tour guide pamphlet; be advised that this is somewhat promotional, and at least the claim about "smokeless" smoking environment doesn't hold: ``Decade is an upscale dinner, dance, cigar, and wine establishment dedicated to the state of mind and spirit of the '60s and '70s. Decade offers sophisticated dining on two floors, dancing to music from 1959 to 1979, one of the largest wine and spirit vaults in NYC, and a walk-in humidor. Enjoy over 100 different cigars from all over the world in a NASA-engineered "smokeless" smoking environment....''

/Country/

Denim and Diamonds
511 Lexington Ave. (between 47th & 48th St.)
212-371-1600

Closure: Denim and Diamonds has closed. It then re-opened as "XIT", a regular nightclub.

/Ballroom/

Douglaston Manor
63-20 Commonwealth Blvd & Marathon Pkwy, Douglaston, Queens
718-224-8787

Ballroom dance on Wednesdays (Latin nights) and Fridays (singles nights), admission $8. The atmosphere has been described as classy, with a middle aged crowd on average.

Directions: On L.I. Expsway eastbound, take exit 31. Stay on service road, do not enter Douglaston Pkway! Go up to Amco Gas station, make Right and the manor is about 1/4 mile ahead on the right.

/Swing/

Don Hill's
511 Greenwich St., New York, NY 10013
212-219-2850

Dress-up swing dancing Wednesday nights 8pm-2am. DJ music 8-10pm, which some patrons have described as "insanely fast," but others seem to like. Live music starts at 10pm. Admission is $10, or $5 if you show up in vintage costume. The promoter of this event is Lee Sobel of Lo-Fi entertainment, who also promotes the swing nights at the Supper Club.

/Latin/

Eddie Torres School of Dance
939 Eighth Ave. (between 55th and 56th St.)
212-246-2551

Variety of dance instruction. Formerly known as Ballroom Dancenter.

/Ballroom/

Elks Club
901 Lakeville Rd. in New Hyde Park, LI,

The Nassau Singles holds their Thursday evening dances at the Elks Club, 901 Lakeville Rd. in New Hyde Park, LI, NY. Adm is $8 which includes a free mixed drink, 2 beers or sodas. Coffee, bagels and pastries are served all evening long. Complimentary dance lesson. Free parking on premises. Over 200 singles attend, mostly in the 40+ age category. Lesson at 7 PM, Social dancing begins at 7:30PM.

Directions:Cross Island Expressway Ex. 27 going east to Lakeville Rd. Left on Lakeville. About 3 blocks on the left.

/Ballroom/

Empire Dance
127 West 25th Street, 11th Floor between 6th & 7th Aves Buzzer 17
New York, New York 10001
Tel: 212-645-2441

Dance studio.

/Ballroom/

Fifth Avenue Ballroom
319 5th Ave. at 32nd St.
Tel: 212-532-6232

Was closed and re-opened as "Ballroom on fifth."

/Ballroom/

Fred Astaire Dance Studios, Manhattan

• East Side: 157 East 86th St. (near Lexington)
  Tel: 212-348-4430
• West Side: 2182 Broadway (between 77th and 78th)
  Tel: 212-595-3200
• Downtown: 666 Broadway (between Bleecker and Bond)
  Tel: 212-475-7776
• Midtown: 303 East 43rd St. (at 2nd Ave.)
  Tel: 212-697-6535

You can get more information from the Downtown (Greenwich Village) F.A. web page.

/Ballroom/

Fred Astaire Studios, Queens

• 207-20 Northern Blvd, Bayside, NY 11361
  Tel: 718-225-1980
• 113-25 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375
  Tel: 718-544-0911
• 623 Stewart Ave, Garden City, NY 11530
  Tel: 516-745-6375

/Ballroom/

Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Staten Island
1300 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10305
718-668-1300

Studio dance parties every other Friday

/Swing/

Gotham West Coast Swing Club
212-241-7695

The Gotham Swing Club was founded to promote West Coast Swing in NYC and surrounding areas, help increase the level of dancers, both novice and seasoned; and to help organize and present the metropolitan area in the national swing scene. The founding members are John Festa, Marilyn McGinnis, Camille Lane and Steve Carey.

The club organizes dances and classes at various locations in the city. Membership dues are $25 per year. For membership or other information call Marilyn McGinnis at 212-241-7695, Steve Carey at 212-679-2752, or email GothamSwing@juno.com.

/Ballroom/

Green Pavillion Restaurant
4307 18th Ave. (McDonald & Seton), Kensington, Brooklyn
718-434-4331 (info), 718-435-4722 (GPR)

Ballroom dancing and lessons, Sundays, 7-11pm. Admission $7.

/Latin/

Havana Rio Supper Club
1711 Broadway (at 54th St.)
212-956-1000

See Bistro Latino (new name).

/Ballroom/Swing/

HH World Yacht Cruises
Pier 81 (W 41st St & 12th Ave), New York, NY 10036
212-630-8100

Dining and dancing on a 3 hour dance cruise around Manhattan. Not a dancer's dancing venue, but rather a dance-oriented fun outing. The following synopsis courtesy of Passport to New York Restaurants: "... the three-hour yacht cruise around Manhattan gives you more spectacle than Windows on the World, The River Cafe and The Rainbow Room combined. Add to this some above-average continental cuisine, dancing to a good band, and gratuities (but not drinks) all for $70.47 ($83.46 on Saturdays) tax included."

/Ballroom/Swing/

The Hideaway
32 W 37th St (between 5th & 6th Ave)
212-947-8940

Now a steak house. Used to be a restaurant featuring ballroom dancing throughout the week except Sundays.

/Ballroom/

Holliswood Jewish Center
86-25 Francis Lewis Blvd., Holliswood, Queens
718-352-4280

Monthly social dances on Saturdays (usually 3rd Saturday of the month), 8:30pm-12:30am. DJ music. Admission $7.50, refreshments provided.

/Ballroom/

Hotel Pierre
5th Ave. and 61st St.
212-940-8185
There used to be dancing at the Cafe Pierre with $15 cover charge. The latest information is that they have removed the dance floor and changed the music arrangement (Information received Jan 97). If you were a fan of dancing at Cafe Pierre, you need to call the manager and ask for dancing to be put back in their program.

/Latin/

La Milonga
742 9th Avenue (at 50th),
212-541-8382

Practice your tango to a live trio (taped music during breaks) Fridays & Saturdays from 9 - 12:00, and Sundays from 6:00 - 12:00. Admission is a rather steep $20 (considering the size of the dance floor).

Note: According to Craig Byrd (powwow@ix.netcom.com), La Milonga is no longer in business.

/Latin/

Las Vegas Nightclub
179 Dykman St. (off Vermilyea)
212-942-1516

Salsa and Merengue dancing in a nightclub environment. Live music. Fri., Sat., Sun., and Mon. 9pm-4am.

/Latin/

Latin Quarter
2551 Broadway (95th St.), NY
212-864-7600

Closed. Nightclub atmosphere. Youngish crowd, mostly in their 20's and 30's. Very loud music (earplugs recommended). They open up around 8pm, but most show up after 10pm. You will be searched for weapons at the door. You need to be dressed up to get in. Personal experience: I once had my dance shoes with me in a bag, and the bouncer wouldn't let me in because I wasn't wearing dress shoes. I had to change to my dance shoes in the neighboring McDonalds before I could go in.

Live music starts after 11, and the place is open way into the morning. If you want to do any serious dancing, though, best time is before 11pm, when the floor isn't too crowded. You could continue to do some cramped Mambo up to about 12am. The music is Exclusively Salsa/Mambo and Merengue (good but way too loud). During the breaks of the live music they play Latin Disco and the whole place goes nuts!

Latin Quarter is expensive (maybe not with NY standards, judge for yourself); most tables are marked as "reserved", but of course they're not really! You can sit, but there is a minimum of one drink (e.g. $5 beer, or $7 shots). That is on top of a $12-$15 cover charge. And if you're on a budget, don't forget the parking. Remember that if you stay beyond 1:00am, the parking lots in the area typically charge you for a whole day; up to $25.

/Ballroom/

Laura Belle
120 West 43rd Street.
212-819-1000

Elegant but not stuffy, good size dance floor. Used to have dancing from 7 - 2am Tues - Friday ($10). Saturday from 6-4am ($15). However it appears that now they make themselves available only for private parties. Call to enquire.

/Latin/

Les Poulets
16 W. 22nd St. (5th Ave.)
212-229-2000

Les Poulets closed and re-opend as "Ohm".

/Swing/

Life
158 Bleeker St., New York, NY 10012
212-420-1999

Swing dancing to live music on some Fridays and Saturdays. Call to confirm. $15 cover charge.

/Country/

Long Island Dance Connection

The Long Island Country Dance Connection aims to promote country dancing in Long Island, and holds weekly dance lessons and dances on Wednesday evenings at Marconi Manor, 333 Moffitt Boulevard, Islip New York, 7:30-11:00 PM. Admission $8.00 for dance lesson & open dance. Line dancing is allowed only when called by the DJ. Generally an equal mix of male and female. They held their first dance on 10/2/96.

Note: The Wednesday dances used to be at the Colonial Room (Deer Park VFW) in Deer Park, NY, but they have relocated to Marconi Manork.

/Swing/

Louisiana Bar & Grill
622 Broadway, NY 10012
212-460-9633

Closed. Live Swing/Lindy music and dance every Monday and Thursday, from around 9:30pm until after midnight. No cover charge, no minimum drink. Small, crowded dance floor with a strong attendance from the Sandra Cameron Dance Center. Monday night seems to be the better (albeit also the busier) of the nights.

/Ballroom/

Lizard Dance Productions
Correspondence: Liz Peterson, 59 Montgomery Pl. Apt. 4-A, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Dances at: The First Presbyterian Church at 124 Henry St. (at Clark St.) in Brooklyn heights
Reservations: 212-946-1824
Lizard Dance Productions is organized by Liz Peterson. Their dances are held once a month at the address given above. There is an introductory class from 8-9pm, and general dancing with D.J. 9pm-12am. The cost is $15 for class and dance, and $10 for general dance only (with reservation). The cost at the door is $20 for general dance and class, $15 for general dance only. The dances are smoke and alcohol free. There is a raffle for ballroom tapes and private lessons. Light refreshments served.

Directions:
By subway: take 2/3 to the Clark St. Station. This lets you out at Clark and Henry. The church is 1/2 block away on Henry.
By Car: From Manhattan, take the Manhattan Bridge, and exit on Trillary St. Keep right on the ramp, and turn right into Trillary. Make another right into Cadman Plaza West. After one short block, turn left into Clark, and then turn left into Henry St. The Church is 1/2 blocks into Henry.

/Swing/

Madison's
1584 York Avenue,
212-570-5454

Rock-n-roll disco club with 70's and 80's music. Mostly aimed at 23+ professional types. Probably not a hangout of regular dancers, so it is recommended to go with a partner.

Madison used to be Casey's Dance Hall and Saloon, where they used to have Texas 2-step nights.

/Ballroom/

Manhattan Ballroom Society

917-734-4778,

Dances Friday nights in the spacious and elegant ballroom at St. Jean Baptiste, Lexington Avenue and 76th Street.

/Ballroom/

Marc Ballroom
39 West 19th Street, 5th floor,Between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue
Tel: 212-867-3789 or 212-734-4028

Dancing every 2nd and 4th Sunday from 7pm - 12am (alternates with Ballroom on Fifth; see above). Large dance floor and good music selection (taped). Admission is $13 and includes hot buffet, salad bar and cake. Beverages available at modest extra cost.

Dances at Dance Manhattan.

/Ballroom/

Mende Dance Studio
62-61 Woodhaven Blvd. (62nd Dr.), Rego Park, Queens
718-478-5910

This studio offers open social dances and workshops on Wednesdays (8-10pm), Fridays (9pm-12am), and the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month (9pm-12am). Admission price to all studio events is $10. You can contact the studio at