The San Francisco Bay Area Salsa Dancing Club scene

Sol Y Luna Restaurant (still listed for posterity), but no longer open.
Comments: (2001) HAS CLOSED DOWN! Sad, but true...This was where it all started (at least for me).

Thursday

Cafe Cocomo, 650 Indiana Street, SF. Phone: 415-824-6910. Beg & Int. Salsa Lessons 8:00pm-9:00pm, Jake and Techi. Live bands after. $10. http://www.CafeCocomo.com SalsaCrazy Club Pick!

Comments: Live salsa band on Thursday's and Saturday nights. Large club, with raised stage, and ample free parking outside!  This club draws a great crowd, on both Thursday and Saturday nights, but Thursdays tend to be more of a "Dancer's night", while Saturday is more of a "party" crowd. Both nights play 90% salsa! Huge outside area, with covered seating and heat lamps, for those crisp winter (and summer) nights, and complete dinner menu as well.

   NEW [11/27/04]:  Cafe Cocomo has a brand new recessed bar, the "Tropical Aqua Bar", and new open space on the dance floor!  The new bar is fantastic, and opens up the entire club. Also, brand new outside deck, with new upstairs bathrooms. Fantastic additions to the club.

Elbo Room, 647 Valencia, San Francisco, 415-552-7788

From 5:00pm to 2:00am. Bands start at 10:00pm, upstairs! Call first.  $5. For more info: www.elbo.com

Roccapulco- 3140 Mission Street, San Francisco, (415) 648-6611

Chiki Boom! Alternative Lifestyles Night!
DJ Chili - (Check www.roccapulco.com for schedule & admission)

Vinnie's Bar and Grill, 2045 Mt. Diablo Street, Concord CA, 94520

Salsa Lessons with Clifton and Lena, 8:15-9:45. Beginning, 8:15-9:00, Intermediate, 9:00-9:45. Admission: Free (Lessons are $10 per person). Open Floor and dancing, all night long. 1-925-685-9515

Club Miami, 177 W. Santa Clara, San Jose, 408-279-3670
Lessons with Stephanie Palmeri & Danny Zepeda.
Thursdays: Free intermediate classes from 7-9pm. Cover: $5

The Davis Graduate, 805 Russell Blvd, Davis, CA. 95616,
(530)758-GRAD Tuesday & Thursday nights, Salsa Lessons @ 9PM
w/Eduardo Currea DJ music until 1:30 PM w/Nehad
Comments: Plenty of parking, large dance floor, drink specials,
80+ beers on tap, excellent lighting, great crowd, 18 over welcome.
Attire is casual to dressy. Cover is $4/21+, $6/18+.

www.djnehad.com

 
Albertos, 736 West Dana Street, Mountain View, 650-968-3007
SILICON VALLEY SALSA NIGHT! Salsa Thursdays w/Pantea. Lessons @ 9:30pm. Salsa Dancing with DJ Oscar "O". 7:15-8:15pm Beginners, 8:30-9:30 Intermediate
$10 regular admission, $6 with Business Card. For more info: www.albertos.com

Roccapulco Supper Club.3140 Mission Street, San Francisco, (415) 648-6611

Salsa Dance Lessons w/Gil and Naomi. 8:30pm - 9:30pm
Beginning Footwork & Partnering patterns. A rising happening spot for
Fridays, with great atmosphere and good dancers, so bring a towel
and an extra shirt! Large club with a full restaurant, and good sound.

DJ & Live Bands - (Check Roccapulco.com for schedule)

El Valenciano Restaurant & Club, 1153 Valencia Street (Mission District)
San Francisco, CA  Every Friday night from 8:30pm to 9:30pm 
Salsa Dance Lessons with Jose-Luis! DJ music afterwards. $5.00 cover
charge (includes lesson).

Danceasy, 9951 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, (510) 524-9100,
Club which features salsa dancing on Friday nights (DJ). 
Beginners and an intermediate class at 8:00 pm, and dancing from 9:00pm to midnight every Friday.

Dance Spectrum presents Hot Salsa Fridays! 1707d South Bascom Ave.
Campbell 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month! Lessons with
Ricardo & Michelle - Mens footwork & Ladies Styling 7pm -9pm.
DJ Music & dancing follow.

Club Conga 2600 Watts Ave. Sacramento, CA  916-978-9834

Club Miami, 177 W. Santa Clara, San Jose, 408-279-3670

Cafe Cocomo, 650 Indiana Street, SF. Phone: 415-824-6910. Beg & Int. Salsa Lessons 8:00pm-9:00. Jake and Techi. Live bands after. $15. http://www.CafeCocomo.com SalsaCrazy Club Pick!

Comments: Live salsa band on Thursday's and Saturday nights. Large club, with raised stage, and ample free parking outside!  Large club, brings international acts. This club draws a great crowd, on both Thursday and Saturday nights, but Thursdays tend to be more of a "Dancer's night", while Saturday is more of a "party" crowd. Both nights play 90% salsa! Huge outside area, with covered seating and heat lamps, for those crisp winter (and summer) nights, and complete dinner menu as well.

       NEW [11/27/04]:  Cafe Cocomo has a brand new recessed bar, the "Tropical Aqua Bar", and new open space on the dance floor!  Also, brand new outside deck, with new upstairs bathrooms. Fantastic additions to the club.

      NEW [1/15/05]: Upstairs outside deck has been added to prepare for summer, and another set of bathrooms!  Great addition.  New floor is also on its way!

Roccapulco- 3140 Mission Street, San Francisco, 415-648-6611

Int. Footwork & Partnering patterns w/ Ava Apple ("On2"):
8:30pm-9:30pm DJ & Live Bands. Lots of fun!

Special Events featuring great Salsa Artists such as Oscar de Leon, Jose Alberto, Grupo Niche...

(Check Roccapulco.com for schedule info)

Comments: Large club, with top notch acts, big dance floor, great sound system, and long history (over 10 years under one name or another). In the mission area of San Francisco - the club has limited street parking and ample attended lots available. Inside, they have a full restaurant serving food until late.

Club Montero's. 1106 Solano Ave.Corner of San Pablo ave. Albany, CA 94706. Live Music Calendar at: http://www.MonterosCafe.com. Salsa Lessons with Joel and Sorcy @8pm www.SalsaLesson.com Admission $12 18 and Over

Maiko's Dance Club, 1629 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. 510-527-8226.Beginning/Int. Lessons 8:00pm to 9:00pm. w/Isabelle, Live bands at 10:00.  $12. Student discounts available. -Group discounts available. No partner necessary

El Rincon, 2700 16th St @ Harrison, San Francisco, CA. 415.437.9240. Saturday: $10, 10PM. Live band-call for schedule
DJs. Casual to nice attire

Club Miami, 177 W. Santa Clara, San Jose, CA.

Lesson with Stephanie Palmeri & Danny Zepeda. Fridays Free beginning classes from 8-9pm (ending with an intermediate combination.)

Harlow's. 2708 J St. Sacramento, CA 916-441-4693

Agave Grill & Cantina in Walnut Creek listed for Salsa.  They have Salsa every Sat. night for 21+.  They have a website that would give more information. May want to consider checking it out.  Haven't gone there yet myself but will soon. Here's their website: www.agavegrill.com  Location: 2033 N. Main Street, Walnut Creek (925) 939-6949

During the Summer Months Only:

The Ramp, 855 China Basin, San Francisco, 415-621-2378.  SUMMER MONTHS ONLY!

4pm, Barbecue, outside patio, Live bands. Free ($8 after 3:45pm).   Fantastic fun.

Metronome Ballroom
1830 17th Street (@De Haro)- San Francisco, CA 94103
415-252-9000
Lessons 6:30 - 8pm. Party With DJ Fab Freddy of the Down Low Lounge
For more info: www.metronomeballroom.com.

Jelly's (Club Havana), Pier 50, San Francisco, 415-495-3099.

4pm, live band, barbecue, $8. Comments: They feature a salsa band on
Sunday afternoon (4:00 p.m., but things usually don't start until 5pm)
barbecue and a super-casual, pretty friendly atmosphere. No dance lesson.

Allegro Ballroom, 5855 Christie Ave., Emeryville, 510-655-2888.

Beginning/Int. Class 6-8pm, Garry and Isabelle, DJ dancing 8:00pm
whenever the night is over $10 ($6 after 8). Discounts w/student ID.

Caribbean Gardens, 1306 Bayshore Rd., Burlingame, 650-344-1797.

9pm, $8. DJ (Tony O). Lessons w/Rob start at 8:40-9:40.
Beginning through Advanced. ritmo100@aol.com Comments: Sunday
(salsa) has resumed. Good salsa crowd on Sunday nights, with the
occasional live salsa band call for info. Convenient free parking.

Starlite Ballroom 1160 N. Fairoaks Ave, Sunnyvale 408-745-7825. 
Huge Ballroom with a beautiful floor.  Lessons with Pantea. DJ music
follows.7:00p.m.-7:45p.m.: Beginning class - covers basic footwork,
combination, and styling.7:45p.m.-8:30p.m.: Intermediate class -
starts with open footwork/shines followed by a more challenging
combination. The party starts right after the intermediate lesson.
Salsa lessons are held in Rhythm Street. Admission for $12 includes
all lessons & parties; $10 for parties only.
For more info: www.starliteballroom.com

Albertos, 736 West Dana Street, Mountain View, 650-968-3007.

Lessons w/SalsaMania - Every Sunday from 6:00 TO 8:30 P.M.
For Beginner and Intermediate levels (Street Dance Style).
For more info: www.albertos.com

During the Summer Months Only:

El Rio , 3158 Mission St., San Francisco, 415-282-3325 4-8pm.
Live bands, dancing on the beautiful patio with live band. $8 cover.
The most gay-straight mixed of the clubs, very race- and age- diverse
too. The full San Francisco atmosphere. Very crowded and can be very fun.