Speak up!
What, like you've never seen leopard Spandex before? Photo: Raul Rubiera
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What you said
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If Mangos is the best Miami has to offer for Latin Dance, then we are all screwed.
Cheesy tourist crap.
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One of the times I visited Miami, before finally moving here last year, I went to club called Yague (not sure if this is the correct spelling). Does anyone know if this place is still open? It was mostly outdoors with a covered area...
Thank you!... Read more
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One thing that was not mentioned about La Covacha is that it might not be in south beach or anywhere near it, the prices sure as hell make you feel you are right next to the ocean. ... Read more
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Fabulous Clubs. La Covacha is a lot of fun. The music they play is fantastic. Alcazaba has an amazing **11**ce and the dress code makes it all more elegant. Club Tipico Dominicano is the BEST for coming up with the Domingo Playero! It's for the entire family and you can go with your kids and grandparents and show them a good time with delicious food. All these clubs are fun. I have been to all of them and I say congratulations for the article. Those boring people who don't know how to dance or don't have the beat running through their blood will not appreciate it as much as us, the true lovers of music and dance! Thank you for this article. Very informative and absolutely true! Those places are FABULOUS!
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There are only 2 latino clubs that I would recommend from this list, and of course this is if you twist my arm. The first one is Macondo... Although is a little pretentious and the place is small and crowded, the music is great. The food is also a very good!! Make sure to try "la picada," the latin version of Antipasto but composed of steak, chorizo, pork grinds (chicharron)... Please do try the patacones and the papita criolla (small sweet potato)...
The other club would be "Hoy como ayer" The place is sort of romantic and the live band is good...... Read more
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If you're really wanting to see some professional and great amateur dancing, get to ...
The 38th Grand National Dance Championship on Miami Beach (it will be October 30-November 1st, with the major stars on Saturday, November 1st. GREAT Latin (rhythm) dancing; even Anna Trebunskaya from Dancing with the Stars will be competing and
performing, along many other pro and amateur competitors.
For more information, visit the Grand National Championship website: www.grandnationalchampionship.com
Telephone: 954.227.1760 Fax: 954.227.1761
Email: admin@grandnationalchampionship.com
Location: Miami Beach Resort & Spa
4833 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140 ... Read more
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Fantastic article. I've been looking for some good Latin clubs since I moved here. I will definitely have to go and check these out! And if anyone knows of some other good ones (especially less touristy ones) let me know!... Read more
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Great Article. For the real Salsa Enthusiast though Noches En Vivo held the third Friday of the month is a must. Miami's best talent plays there. This Month July 18 the artist is amazing and the dancers there are great. Great Energy. 9843 SW 40 St... Read more
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I havn't been to Bongo's in such a long time!
I need some latin music in my life! Azucar!!
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Ive been to most of these clubs with the exception of Macarena and Hoy Como Ayer.
These are definitely some of the best dance clubs in Miami.
Most of the people that go to these clubs are true SALSEROS..
you know latins know how to really throw a party..
-Club Atarazana is also very good playing salsa, merengue, bachata, and reggaeton.
36st half a mile east of the Palmetto.
-Templo on Washington Ave. is another good Colombian club that has good latin music.
-Drakes on Kendall Drive is yet another Colombian club.also good dancing and good music... Read more
Pass the salsa: a Latin nightclub guide
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Miami's a city that's bilingual when it comes to fun, thanks to our huge community of Latin American expats who have shown us how to convert our party into a parranda. So visitors and locals determined to boogie down get to take in a dose of pan-Latin culture that you can't find just anywhere. These are the clubs you need to find yourself in if you want to practice your pasitos, find a good mojito, drink a sub-zero President beer or just to try your Spanish pick-up lines on someone you'll probably never ever see again.
Mango's Tropical Café
With its tropical rainforest décor and wait staff wearing leopard-print catsuits, all who enter Mango's Tropical Café are in for a wild time, indeed. There's a reason Mango's reigns as the numero uno nightclub on SoBe for the Latin vibe; check out the waitresses dancing on the bar, the music blaring and island-inspired drinks flowing. (Ladies, skip this as a date spot -- the waitresses can be a bit distracting.) They pump salsa, merengue, bachata, samba and reggeton until the wee hours and often feature a live band and dance shows (professionals, that is, not drunken tourists). You may bump into some overly friendly travelers, but just slide to the right and dance yourself out of his grasp.
When to go: Pretty much any night that people are out and about on SoBe, but weekends are especially festive.
Mango's Tropical Café, 900 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach. 305-673-4422
Macondo
Despite its Colombian country-cute dĂ©cor, this nightspot gives off plenty of SoBe 'tude, so don't expect the revelers to trip over themselves trying to drag you to the dance floor for a vallenato or a cumbia. But not to worry; just swing by Macondo in a rowdy group or paired up with your favorite dance partner. The music will not disappoint -- all of your Colombian faves like Shakira, Fonseca, Juanes, plus merengue, cumbias and other typical tunes from the land of GarcĂa Márquez.
When to go: DJ David Orihuela mixes all your Latin favorites Wednesday through Saturday and there is a $20 door cover every night, but Fridays and Saturdays are hottest.
Macondo, 665 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. 786-276-1516
Bongo's Cuban Café
Owners Gloria and Emilio Estefan spoon feed you exactly what you need in a Latin resto-nightclub; the authentic Cuban menu, colorful modern tropical décor, bongo drums lining the bar area, and of course, minty mojitos with a slice of sugar cane. The DJ plays salsa, merengue, bachata, disco, with live salsa bands on the terrace, so you can boogie down under the stars and enjoy the breathtaking view of the bay.
When to go: Friday and Saturday nights, cover is between $10-$20, but if you have a late dinner, you miss that and the line that forms outside.
Bongo's Cuban Café, 601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. 786-777-2100
La Covacha
La Covacha gives you that cozy feeling, as if you're partying in a neighbor's (incredibly huge) backyard tiki hut. The crew of DJs mixes salsa, Cuban classics, merengue and vallenato, and they even throw in some disco and house. The ambience is relaxed and the crowd is anything but pretentious. Many Miami residents go through a La Covacha phase, usually occurring when they are legally able to drink, have just immigrated, or when they are newly single (separated, divorced or undecided) and are ready to get out and meet people. So expect a good mix of folks of all ages ready to burn a whole in the dance floor.
When to go: Friday through Sunday, two-for-one drinks at the Friday Happy Hour, Saturday night features an open bar from 10 p.m.-11:30 p.m. and on Sundays, ladies drink for free until midnight.
La Covacha, 10730 N.W. 25th Street, Doral. 305-594-3717
Alcazaba
Wednesday night is the night for serious salsa dancers to head over to Alcazaba. And since the bar is pampering the ladies, offering up complimentary Champagne and wine, and two-for-one drinks, the men are swarming as well. Needless to say, you'll find your share of guys on the prowl, but ladies, most likely he's gainfully employed and if you're lucky, he knows how to dance. For those who need a refresher course, an instructor from Salsa Lovers Dance Studio gives an intensive class starting at 8 p.m. Resident DJ Alex Gutiérrez is always on deck, assisted by Jammin' Johnny, Frank Banderas and others who know how to keep the couples dancing until their feet hurt.
When to go: Wednesday nights 6 p.m.-8 p.m. complementary paella, 8 p.m. Salsa lessons for the rookies and after 10 p.m. for the pros.
Alcazaba, 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables. 305-569-4614
Hoy Como Ayer
Where is that guayabera you once bought during that cruise of the Caribbean? Well, make sure to give it a good ironing so you can exhibit your affinity for all things Cuban at this cozy club in Little Havana. The place is a shrine to the greats of Cuban music, with photos of Benny More and Celia Cruz plastered on the walls, and it keeps the tradition going with weekly showcases of Cuban groups and bolero singers. To really get your groove on, go during Fuácata!, the Thursday night event where you can order yourself a Cuba Libre and give a listen to house band Spam All Stars with their funky brand of Latin fusion.
When to go: Thursday nights for Fuácata! if you want to shake it, door is only $7. Ladies free before 11 p.m. But Friday through Sunday they have balladeers and traditional Cuban ensembles as well.
Hoy Como Ayer, 2212 SW 8th St., Miami. 305-541-2631
Club Tipico Dominicano
Remember your last trip to Punta Cana? The palm trees, the merengue, the cold cold beer. Relive it in Allapatah, the heart of Miami's Dominican expat community. The merengue, bachata and salsa flow generously and the crowd somehow exudes that same Dominican joie-de-vivre that sends us running back to their all-inclusives every summer.
When to go: Saturday nights after 10 p.m. the throngs come out ($5 for ladies, $10 for guys). Sunday after 3 p.m. is Domingo Playero, which is for the entire family, especially the members of the family who would be interested in the two-for-one specials on Presidente beer.
Club Tipico Dominicano, 1344 NW 36 St., Miami. 305-634-7819
Café Mystique
At Café Mystique it doesn't matter what kind of car you drive, what matters is how you dance. This is a club for serious movers and if you can't keep up, you might be returned to your seat. But maybe the free Thursday night salsa lesson with Ramani Nicola of Salsa Casino Dance will help you blend in. Café Mystique is a favorite with Cuban salsa lovers and is considered the birthplace of "Rueda de Casino," an intricate, circular group dance that you should not try to participate in unless you really know what you're doing.
When to go: Thursday-Sunday, it starts to heat up after 11 p.m. and the kitchen is open till midnight in case you arrive hungry. Sundays is for the experienced salsa dancers. If that's not you, you might just enjoy watching the couples that dance like pros.
Café Mystique, 7250 NW 11 St., Miami. 305-262-9500
Still jonesing for more Latin dance nights? Check out our One Night Stand story on Salsa Fridays at Yuca. Or, if you've got your own favorite spot, leave a review!
Want more?
- Excited about Sander Kleinenberg tonight!
- Getting ready for an amazing weekend! The weather is beautiful!
- So much to do tonight! Vantage Mag Anniversary, Cobra Starship at Set, I love it!
- Style Wars tonight! Time to get my Glam on!
- Looking forward to a great week!
Vique Martinez, nightlife Blogger
