Baltimore

IMHO, there isn't any great weekly Fri/Sat/Sun in Baltimore. The best bet for weekend is the monthly parties - generally on Sat. Check this site for all-inclusive info.

http://www.baltimoresalsablog.com/
 
I agree that DC has a bigger and more established scene than Baltimore. Then again, one can also recommend driving or taking the bus to NYC instead too. NYC > DC > Baltimore (sorry Philly, you're not in this equation :)). The question is how much are you willing to pay (travel mostly) for added benefit, and the gentleman asked for Baltimore specifically rather than Balt/DC.

Also IMO, there really isn't any worthwhile weekly Fri/Sat/Sun nights in DC either for a longer drive unless you really must quench your thirst and Latin Palace just won't do (I never went there either) - the best for DC probably being either Habana Village (good luck with parking!) or Salsa Room (right, Beto? ;)) or Lucky Strikes (the only Sunday option for DC/Balt incidentally). The best overall regular weekend event in DC/Balt by my estimation (Mr Mambo's at DCDC) happens on 2nd and 4th Sat.
 
I might as well include more info for Baltimore while at it. I haven't been to all of these, but my Baltimore friends seem to like these options.

Mondays - Talara
Tuesdays - Red Maple
Thursdays - Palapa's (in Ellicott City - suburb)
Saturdays/weekend - most reliable ones nowadays appear to be Mobtown Ballroom and Atlantic Ballroom (in Towson - suburb)

Talara and Red Maple can be reached by Baltimore's free city bus, Charm City Circulator. Orange/Green route for Talara, and Purple route for Red Maple.
 
I was in Baltimore on my travels. Loved the crab cakes. Did not enjoy the salsa so much. There isn't much going on there for salsa dancing. But I suppose it all depends on what you're looking for? Big crowds? What sort of level of dancers? Etc etc.
 
I'm sorry I'm seeing this today instead of yesterday. This is the weekend for the Baltimore Salsa Congress, and last night was the night for the headliner performances and dancing. There were three rooms, the main ballroom with live band and djs, a bachata room and a room hosted by Mr. Mambo of DC catering to an On2 crowd. This was the third annual event, and this year the organizer announced growing from "fest" to a congress.

The event goes through tonight as well, and with parties similar to last night, but being the third night of the event, it won't be like last night with world class performers and several hundreds of people.

I agree with hyh, that the baltimore salsa blog is the most up-to-date and comprehensive place for information about where to dance in the area. We're a smaller city, but our scene is friendly, and has our share of competent dancers as you'd expect with DC so close an influence. But if anyone is looking for a scene like LA, New York, London, Toronto etc, then DC venues are a better option.
 
Unfortunately, the cost for the Baltimroe Salsa Fest is $45/night, just for the night time dancing and performances. That's how much I payed for a night at the New York congress, a few blocks away from Times Square. I just couldn't bring myself to shell out that much money to dance in Baltimore.

I'm sorry I'm seeing this today instead of yesterday. This is the weekend for the Baltimore Salsa Congress, and last night was the night for the headliner performances and dancing. There were three rooms, the main ballroom with live band and djs, a bachata room and a room hosted by Mr. Mambo of DC catering to an On2 crowd. This was the third annual event, and this year the organizer announced growing from "fest" to a congress.

The event goes through tonight as well, and with parties similar to last night, but being the third night of the event, it won't be like last night with world class performers and several hundreds of people.

I agree with hyh, that the baltimore salsa blog is the most up-to-date and comprehensive place for information about where to dance in the area. We're a smaller city, but our scene is friendly, and has our share of competent dancers as you'd expect with DC so close an influence. But if anyone is looking for a scene like LA, New York, London, Toronto etc, then DC venues are a better option.
 
Unfortunately, the cost for the Baltimroe Salsa Fest is $45/night, just for the night time dancing and performances. That's how much I payed for a night at the New York congress, a few blocks away from Times Square. I just couldn't bring myself to shell out that much money to dance in Baltimore.

Yeah. A little steep. But just because it's Baltimore, it doesn't make it any less expensive for the organizer to pull off. The performers/instructors were of a similar caliber as other congresses. And since it's still a newer event, the attendance isn't as large, and total cost isn't spread across as many payers.

Nevertheless, Antigone, I totally understand your meaning. To an attendee, all that doesn't matter. It's the experience your paying for, and dancing in NYC certainly has its advantages - the locale in particular.
 
Thank you for all the replies. I appreciate that. I live in NYC and am on a business trip to Baltimore for three days. I was just looking for a nice place with good dancers, floor etc. I'm not expecting a Taj, Cache scene, just some good music and dancing.

DC is a little too far so I was hoping for something local.

Thanks again,
 
Thank you for your help. I went to Latin Palace on Sat night and Cancun Cantina on Sunday night. I had a great time at both places. Lots of beginners and a mix of salsa, bachata, merengue and reggaton. Great people and a lot of fun.
 
Reviving this long dead thread, but can anyone fill me in on the scene in Baltimore these days? I'm in Baltimore County about once a month Sat/Sun. I haven't really seen a lot of weekend options in the region... I see some stuff down in Laurel, MD and DC but that's a bit of a hike.
 
Reviving this long dead thread, but can anyone fill me in on the scene in Baltimore these days? I'm in Baltimore County about once a month Sat/Sun. I haven't really seen a lot of weekend options in the region... I see some stuff down in Laurel, MD and DC but that's a bit of a hike.

All I know is there's a guy who does casino socials (DJ Timba Titan?) in B'more but that's probably not your thing.
 
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