14 Places in LA To Go Dancing (That Aren't Nightclubs)
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Dance Church
Location: Lincoln Heights, Venice, El Sereno
Type: Freeform
Hold your rosaries at the door - Dance Church is only a church in the sense that it started as a Sunday morning community ritual. These days you can bust a move on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at these lightly guided, but largely free-form dance classes.
The Let’s Go!
Location: The Arts District
Type: Disco
Feeling a hint of nostalgia or looking for vintage vibes? Look no further than The Let’s Go! for disco, boogie, R&B, and funk. Check their calendar for special events Thursday - Saturday or just stop in for a groovy surprise.
Desert 5
Location: Hollywood
Type: Country
Open daily, Desert 5 Spot is the spot for country lovers in LA. With instructed line dancing every Wednesday and Friday, live music, and rooftop views, it’s where boots, beers, and two-steppin’ all come together—no experience needed, just a love for country and a good time.
Clifton's Republic
Location: Downtown La
Type: Swing
Swing dancing is back at Clifton’s Republic every Friday, and it's open to all levels! Clifton’s is a true gem of old-school LA charm. The Brookdale Ballroom on the second floor features a spacious wood floor perfect for dancing, creating an amazing atmosphere for everyone to enjoy, whether you're a beginner or a pro. Come swing the night away in style!
La Descarga
Location: Hollywood
Type: Salas & Bachata
La Descarga is a Cuban-themed bar offering live Latin music, fiery dance performances, and vintage speakeasy vibes. Swing by on Tuesdays for Salsa Class at 8:30 PM with World Latin Champion Jose Valencia and on Wednesdays for a fun, high-energy bachata class, followed by a live band and a sizzling burlesque show.
The Victorian
Location: Santa Monica
Type: Salsa + Bachata class (and DJ sets on the weekend)
The Victorian, an iconic Santa Monica hotspot, features three full floors of DJ lineups every weekend. On Salsa Thursdays, enjoy instructed open-level salsa lessons at 8pm, followed by a bachata lesson at 8:45pm, with salsa and bachata dancing from 9:30pm to 1:30am. If salsa isn’t your thing, stop by on the weekend for DJs and occasional pop-up dance parties, offering something for everyone in a lively atmosphere.
Ecstatic Dance
Location: Venice Beach
Type: Silent Disco 'Ecstatic Dancing'
Outdoor Ecstatic Dancing at Venice Beach invites everyone to dance freely by the ocean. With masterful Ecstatic Dance DJs and the latest Silent Disco technology, participants enjoy crystal-clear sound while immersing themselves in an inspiring music and dance experience. This unique event blends a healthy dance party, rave, and conscious movement for wellbeing, release, and community connection.
Stud Country
Location: Hollywood + Silver Lake
Type: Country
Stud Country celebrates the legacy of queer dance spaces and LGBTQ cowboy culture. Join all-ages beginner classes Saturdays at Hollywood Dance Center, and 21+ Queer Country Socials Thursdays at Los Globos, with lessons at 8:30pm and 10:00pm.
Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association
Location: Pasadena
Type: Swing, ballroom
Swing back a few decades with Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association swing dance classes of all varieties: East Coast, West Coast, Jitterbug, and Lindy Hop. True to name, PBDA also offers foxtrot and other ballroom dance classes.
The Granada LA
Location: Alhambra
Type: Salsa, Bachata
Feeling like spicy salsa but need a little guidance first? The Granada offers both classes and open dance nights. This classic spot has not one, not two, but three separate spaces to dance the night away! On Friday nights you’ll find one for salsa, one for bachata, and one for reggaeton/hip hop.
A Chance to Dance with Los Angeles Ballet
Location: West Los Angeles
Type: Ballet
During their season, the real life ballerinas at Los Angeles Ballet offer free monthly classes to community members. To live your Nutcracker dreams (we see you and we are you, rat king), RSVP for Adult Intro to Ballet on May 4 or June 22.
Playground LA
Location: Fairfax
Type: Hip hop
Hop into a hip hop class at Playground LA, the first step to your inevitable journey to the spotlight on America’s Best Dance Crew. If dance fame isn’t for you, at least you’ll get a good picture in the Insta-worthy studio.
Empowerment in Heels
Location: Hollywood
Type: Burlesque
Heels are actually optional for the burlesque classes at Empowerment in Heels. This small studio welcomed all bodies at any level of experience. In addition to classes, they offer opportunities to put your practice to performance at an “open stage” if you dare.
Deep Dance
Location: West LA
Type: Freeform
Free your spirit (and your toes - no shoes allowed!) through dance at the “moving meditation” of Deep Dance. The facilitators of this free-form dance jam will lead you through warm-up, crescendo, and cool down accompanied by a live DJ.
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