By Madeline Nyvold

You may not be aware of this, but the Twin Cities is host to a number of different dance clubs, themed dance nights and other unique events. Dance enthusiasts of many skill levels can gather in an informal setting to relax, have fun and obviously, dance! There’s a chance to try anything from salsa to swing. Whether you’re an experienced dancer looking to try something new or a beginner looking to broaden your horizons, the Twin Cities offers something for every dancer. Here’s a roundup of the best dance experiences the metropolitan area has to offer:

Latin Dance

Babalu:

Make your way to this upscale Latin restaurant on Monday evenings for Salsa Caliente, their dance night featuring music by DJ Eliezer. Top off their authentic Latin-Caribbean cuisine than with some salsa? Located at 800 Washington Avenue N., Minneapolis, MN. For more information: Babalu

Famous Dave’s:

Though known for their barbeque and blues, the Calhoun Square location features Sensacion Latina on Tuesday evenings, where, for a $5.00 cover charge, you can salsa to your heart’s content. This dance night is very popular and a great place for both beginning and experienced salsa dancers. Located at 3001 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN. For more information: Famous Dave’s

First Avenue:

This Minneapolis institution hosts Ritmo Caliente on Thursday nights, where you can not only salsa, but try your hand at other types of Latin dance as well. The variety of Latin music and energetic crowd make for a fun-filled evening, as well as an inexpensive one. Cover is $3.00 before 11:00 pm or free with a college ID. Located at 701 First Avenue N., Minneapolis, MN. For more information: First Avenue

Loring Pasta Bar:

This Dinkytown hotspot hosts an evening of tango on Sundays featuring music by the Mandragora Tango Orchestra. The cover is free and the music, food and atmosphere are fantastic! Located at 327 14th Avenue SE., Minneapolis, MN. For more information, visit: Loring Pasta Bar

Swing Dance

Minnesota West Coast Swing Dance Club:

This organization hosts monthly dances on the second and fourth Friday of every month. Admission is $8.00 and comes with a free swing dance lesson beforehand. This is a great event for beginning swing dancers! It is held at the B-Dale Club, 2100 N. Dale St., Roseville, MN. For more information, visit: Minnesota West Coast Swing Dance Club

Tapestry Folkdance Center:

Swing dance is among their many offerings, and it’s so popular that they’ve instituted Late Night Swing, an evening of swing dance held every Thursday. This event is popular with experienced swing dancers, so you might want to stop by one of their swing dance lessons before hand. Cover is only $2.00 with a paid lesson. It is located at 3748 Minnehaha Avenue S., Minneapolis, MN. For more information, visit: Tapestry Folkdance Center

Wabasha Street Caves:

The unique and historic location makes this swing dance experience even more fun! The Wabasha Street Caves host a swing dance night on both Thursdays and Fridays. A variety of swing bands play, so if you have a favorite, check their calendar to see who is playing. Cover is $7.00. It is located at 215 Wabasha St. S, St. Paul, MN. For more information visit: Wabasha Street Caves

Miscellaneous

First Avenue:

Along with Ritmo Caliente in their main room, First Avenue hosts The Bungalow, an evening of reggae, hip-hop and reggaeton, in its VIP room on Thursday evenings. Reggaeton is one of the hottest new music styles, so stop in and learn how to groove to it! It is located at 701 First Avenue N., Minneapolis, MN. For more information, visit: First Avenue

Twin City Ballroom:

Aside from offering ballroom dance instruction, they also host dances every Friday and Saturday evening. The $9.00 admission includes a lesson, the dance and refreshments. This is a great way to get acquainted with the basics of ballroom dancing! It is located at 7166 10th St. N., Oakdale, Minnesota. For more information, visit: Twin City Ballroom