Best Salsa Classes in Edinburgh for Beginners
A complete guide to starting the wonderful dance of salsa in Edinburgh. This is a one-stop shop to beginner-friendly events and courses taking place across the city.
No partner needed. No experience required. Most people start by coming alone.
All beginner-friendly salsa classes
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Alma Latina Dance Project
Open Level Salsa Styling For Leaders & Followers
Dance Base
Cuban Salsa Class
Alma Latina Dance Project
Salsa Fundamentals
Amaya (@move.with.amaya)
Salsa Feeling - Solo Sessions
University of Edinburgh Salsa Society
Contratiempo: salsa On2 & Chachachá
Alma Latina Dance Project
Throwback Thursdays - Salsa meets Hip-Hop part 2
Salsa Club Edinburgh
Salsa Beginner 5hr Course
Beginner-friendly salsa events
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Orlando OG
Salsa & Bachata Saturdays @ El Barrio Latino
What is salsa?
Salsa is a lively, social partner dance born from Cuban son, mambo and Puerto Rican rhythms, refined in New York in the 1960s and 70s. It's danced to upbeat Latin music with horns, percussion and call-and-response vocals, and is built around a quick-quick-slow basic step.
In Edinburgh, the most popular form is LA style salsa (also called salsa on1 or crossbody style) which is danced 'on the line'. The other common form is Cuban salsa, which moves in a circular pattern and often becomes Rueda when danced in a group with a caller.
What makes salsa special is the social side. Once you have the basics, you can walk into any salsa night in the world and dance with people you have never met.
Who is salsa suitable for?
Salsa is suitable for everybody! Edinburgh's salsa scene is genuinely mixed in age, background and ability. You will see dancers in their early 20s sharing the floor with people in their 60s, and complete beginners dancing with people who have been dancing for a decade. The scene is so warm and welcoming, and our curated guide to beginner classes will get you up to speed in no time!
- Solo dancers - partner rotation is standard in every beginner class.
- People with no rhythm - rhythm is a skill you build, not a talent. Trust us when we say that we at bailemo most certainly lacked rhythm when we started...
- Not danced to date - it's never too late.
- Students and professionals looking for a low-pressure way to meet people.
- Couples and singles alike - you do not need to come as a pair.
In summary, salsa is suitable for everybody and the only thing you really need is the willingness to give it a go, make mistakes and have a fantastic time doing so. Just remember that everyone in the scene was a beginner once.
Course-based beginner salsa
Courses run for a fixed block of weeks (usually 4 to 5) with the same group of students. They are a fantastic way of following a curriculum which is progressive over time. Moreover, you will learn with the same people so will have the opportunity to get to know and generate connections with many of them. Courses are brilliant if you can commit to most weeks of the block.
If you want to check out course-based salsa classes then look at: Salsa Club Edinburgh, Bailarte, Curroconsalsa and Latin Roots, each giving you a choice of night and time of day.
Drop-in beginner salsa
Drop-in classes let you pay per session and join whenever your schedule allows. They are often run before a social, providing you with the perfect opportunity to attend a class, warm up and practice before taking to the dance floor. Each class is self-contained, so you can miss a week without falling behind. These sessions work perfectly if your week-to-week availability is unpredictable, if you want to try salsa without committing to a whole course, or if you want to get a bit of extra practice in.
If you want to check out drop-in based salsa classes then look at: Latin Dance Edinburgh, OrlandoSalsa or Alma Latina Dance Project, amongst several others.
Learning salsa and bachata at the same time
Lots of Edinburgh dancers learn salsa and bachata together, and most of the city's socials play both. In fact, the majority of socials are 50/50 salsa/bachata. Doing both is a great way to double your dance opportunities and meet more of the community, whilst learning two different styles.
Not sure which to start with? Read our salsa vs bachata guide for a side-by-side comparison.
Beginner salsa FAQs
Do I need a partner to start salsa?
No. Beginner salsa classes in Edinburgh assume you are coming alone and rotate partners throughout the lesson. Going solo is the norm rather than the exception.
Do I need any dance experience?
None at all. Beginner salsa classes start from the absolute basics: how to step on the beat, how to hold your partner, and one or two simple turns.
Should I pick a course or a drop-in class?
If you can commit to a fixed run of weeks, a course is a great way to go because you will learn in a pre-planned and progressive way. If your schedule is unpredictable, or you are wanting a little more practice, a drop-in beginner class is a brilliant lower-commitment way to start.
How long until I can dance socially?
Most beginners are comfortable on a social floor within about 6 to 10 weeks of weekly salsa classes. The more often you dance, the faster it clicks. It is all muscle memory.
What do I wear?
Comfortable clothes you can move in. Most people wear jeans or leggings and a t-shirt. Clean trainers with a smooth-ish sole are perfect to start with - avoid grippy running trainers as they catch on the floor when you turn.
Can I learn salsa and bachata at the same time?
Yes, and lots of Edinburgh dancers do exactly that. Many schools run salsa and bachata back-to-back on the same night, so you can do both in one trip. See the section above for our advice on pacing it.
How much do beginner salsa classes cost in Edinburgh?
Drop-in beginner classes are typically around £8-£12 per class. Multi-week courses tend to work out a little cheaper per class and sometimes include entry to a social afterwards.
Where are the classes held?
Beginner salsa classes run in venues across Edinburgh, but there is a distinct concentration in Old Town. Check each listing for the exact venue.
Fancy learning bachata instead?
Bachata is a romantic, rhythmic partner dance from the Dominican Republic with a different feel than salsa. If you have read our beginners guide and aren't sure, then bachata is a wonderful alternative that still opens the door to the full Latin dance community. Take a look at our guide to the best beginner bachata classes in Edinburgh to get started.
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