Salsa in the Philippines
- Thread starter Jolinia
- Start date
Mondays
1. Havana Greenbelt
Greenbelt 3, Makati City.
The live band is quite good, the place is small though and attended by many non-dancers/drinkers which results in a sticky dance floor where random people cross over spilling their drinks. Band starts at around 10:00-10:30. Dancers tend to show up later, before it is packed with non-dancers, many foreigners trying to pick up local girls/"buy love". Not my favorite to dance, I don't like going there alone. I only go with a group of friends, then it can be fun due to the really good band.
Thursdays
1. La Dolce Vita RestoBar
Polaris Street (near Jupiter Street), Makati City. Party is from 9:00pm to 1:00 am. Free lessons at 10:30
organized by Salsa Fanatics Entertainment - The salsa people.
It's a relatively small salsa community. I danced on1, on2 and Cuban. They were really friendly and I felt very welcome. After a few months break LDV is back on Thursday nights.
Fridays
1. Calle Sirocco
22A Jupiter St. Bel-Air Makati City. Party is from 9:00pm to 1:00 am. Free lessons at 10:30
Organized by Salsa Fanatics Entertainment. Mostly the same people as Thursdays - a friendly and welcoming crowd.
The floor is good, the atmosphere of that Resto Bar is so-so, as the dancefloor is in a separate room behind glass walls. Feels a bit like dancing in an aquarium
Food is good!
2. Havanna Malate - not sure if that still exists, I haven't gone forever.
They have a live band called "Sabor Latino" who are pretty good. They have a huge repertoire and play your song wishes. Very small dance floor (maybe only four couples can dance at the same time). Very small dance floor but most people go there to listen to the band rather than to dance. Bring your own dance partner to this place or go with a group. It's good for food and drinks and the occasional dance in between, not so much for hardcore dancing all night long.
Don't confuse the location with Havanna Greenbelt which is the same chain but basically a pickup bar!
Saturdays
1. Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar,
7838 Makati Avenue across A Venue Mall, Makati City. Party is from 10:00pm to 3:00 am.
organized by Salsa Fanatics Entertainment - the salsa people.
The dance floor is a little small but it has a great atmosphere when the party gets going. I don't live in Manila and can only go there once in a blue moon, but I see the pictures and videos and they are crazy!!!!
Food is amazing too! Hope this will live on a long time
1. Havana Greenbelt
Greenbelt 3, Makati City.
The live band is quite good, the place is small though and attended by many non-dancers/drinkers which results in a sticky dance floor where random people cross over spilling their drinks. Band starts at around 10:00-10:30. Dancers tend to show up later, before it is packed with non-dancers, many foreigners trying to pick up local girls/"buy love". Not my favorite to dance, I don't like going there alone. I only go with a group of friends, then it can be fun due to the really good band.
Thursdays
1. La Dolce Vita RestoBar
Polaris Street (near Jupiter Street), Makati City. Party is from 9:00pm to 1:00 am. Free lessons at 10:30
organized by Salsa Fanatics Entertainment - The salsa people.
It's a relatively small salsa community. I danced on1, on2 and Cuban. They were really friendly and I felt very welcome. After a few months break LDV is back on Thursday nights.
Fridays
1. Calle Sirocco
22A Jupiter St. Bel-Air Makati City. Party is from 9:00pm to 1:00 am. Free lessons at 10:30
Organized by Salsa Fanatics Entertainment. Mostly the same people as Thursdays - a friendly and welcoming crowd.
The floor is good, the atmosphere of that Resto Bar is so-so, as the dancefloor is in a separate room behind glass walls. Feels a bit like dancing in an aquarium
Food is good!2. Havanna Malate - not sure if that still exists, I haven't gone forever.
They have a live band called "Sabor Latino" who are pretty good. They have a huge repertoire and play your song wishes. Very small dance floor (maybe only four couples can dance at the same time). Very small dance floor but most people go there to listen to the band rather than to dance. Bring your own dance partner to this place or go with a group. It's good for food and drinks and the occasional dance in between, not so much for hardcore dancing all night long.
Don't confuse the location with Havanna Greenbelt which is the same chain but basically a pickup bar!
Saturdays
1. Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar,
7838 Makati Avenue across A Venue Mall, Makati City. Party is from 10:00pm to 3:00 am.
organized by Salsa Fanatics Entertainment - the salsa people.
The dance floor is a little small but it has a great atmosphere when the party gets going. I don't live in Manila and can only go there once in a blue moon, but I see the pictures and videos and they are crazy!!!!
Food is amazing too! Hope this will live on a long time
Cebu City
This is an update for Cebu City (including Mandaue and Mactan) .
Unfortunately not a salsa friendly one.
All the regular salsa places you may find when googling Salsa + Cebu are closed (or turned into Korean restaurants):
- Cafe Havanna
- M! V!da
- Yo! Latino
Which basically means at the moment there is no regular salsa in Cebu.
I'll update special salsa/latin events as they come or if a new regular place opens.
This is an update for Cebu City (including Mandaue and Mactan) .
Unfortunately not a salsa friendly one.
All the regular salsa places you may find when googling Salsa + Cebu are closed (or turned into Korean restaurants):
- Cafe Havanna
- M! V!da
- Yo! Latino
Which basically means at the moment there is no regular salsa in Cebu.
I'll update special salsa/latin events as they come or if a new regular place opens.
What is the scene like in Manilla? I have often thought about visiting there!
Ldv
I've been to La Dolce Vida in Makati, Manila and it is a good place. Johnathan teaches there - he used to live in the states. Havana in Greenbelt also has salsa but check schedule since they have other music (e.g. samba) on some nites.
Jake
I've been to La Dolce Vida in Makati, Manila and it is a good place. Johnathan teaches there - he used to live in the states. Havana in Greenbelt also has salsa but check schedule since they have other music (e.g. samba) on some nites.
Jake
Michael,
the manila scene is relatively small compared to other capitals in the world. But they are an extremely friendly and welcoming crowd!
In my opinion, La dolce vita (thursdays + saturdays) is the best place to dance - besides, I love their food, too
Of the Havanas, I prefer the one in Malate, I don't particularly like the one in Greenbelt.
I liked the atmosphere at the Establishment, but not the floor, it has uneven tiles.
the manila scene is relatively small compared to other capitals in the world. But they are an extremely friendly and welcoming crowd!
In my opinion, La dolce vita (thursdays + saturdays) is the best place to dance - besides, I love their food, too
Of the Havanas, I prefer the one in Malate, I don't particularly like the one in Greenbelt.
I liked the atmosphere at the Establishment, but not the floor, it has uneven tiles.