If you want to work on your golf swing during the day and your salsa steps at night, Baltimore offers Latino nightclubs with a range of music styles. The salsa dance scene became established relatively recently in Baltimore, so if you're a stunning dancer, you may want to share your expertise with local partners. If you're new to salsa, you can try an introductory lesson explaining the eight-beat salsa basic step. If you're tired from the links, kick back with a drink and watch a free show as the better dancers improvise magic on their feet. Some clubs, including the leading Latin Palace, ask that you wear nice casual clothing, meaning no jeans or denim, shorts or athletic wear, jerseys or T-shirts.
Latin Palace
On Valentine's Day of 1999, Latin Palace opened, bringing a touch of Miami to Baltimore's Fells Point district. Its soaring three-story art deco façade, neon lettering, aqua and yellow color scheme and year-round palm trees and party umbrellas out front announce you are leaving the maritime working atmosphere of the surrounding Fells Point neighborhood for more tropical climes. Latin Palace's live DJ plays mostly salsa, spiced up with merengue, bachata and reggaeton. Head upstairs for Las Palmas restaurant, adjacent to a sequestered dance floor for intermediate lessons. The main dance floor downstairs offers salsa lessons Wednesdays through Saturdays from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Dancing at the Latin Palace runs from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, becoming busiest on Fridays and Saturdays around midnight. Check into the Zumba class at 6 p.m. Thursdays, the happy hour 5 to 9 p.m., as well as party packages and happy hour packages.
Latin Palace
509 S. Broadway
Baltimore, MD 21231
(410) 522-6700
latinpalace.com
Club One
Sunday nights, if you're looking for something with a little more stomp than salsa, head to midtown for Club One, with its focus on a mix of reggaeton, merengue and house Latin. Doors open at 10 p.m. You can wear designer jeans or neat sneakers with a button-up shirt or blazer. No sweats, hoodies, work boots or oversized clothing.
Club One
300 E. Saratoga St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 230-0049
onebaltimore.com
Talara
Salsa night comes every Monday to Talara, a restaurant in Baltimore's shiny new Harbor East entertainment district just east of the Inner Harbor. Take a free lesson at 9 p.m., and stay on for open dancing from 9:30 p.m. till midnight. Talara offers mojitos, ceviche, tapas and Mexican flourless chocolate torte.
Talara
615 President St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 528-9883
talarabaltimore.com
13th Floor
If you want your Latin/salsa music live, as well as one of Baltimore's best views, head to the 13th Floor at midtown's lovely Beaux Arts-style hotel, the Belvedere, at 9 p.m. on Saturday. The 13th Floor features two small dance floors and an attractive bar. Over your partner's shoulder, you'll notice a vista of Baltimore stretching south toward the downtown high rises and stadiums.
13th Floor at The Belvedere Hotel
1 E. Chase St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 347-0888
facebook.com/pages/Baltimore-MD/13th-floor-at-the-Belvedere/56721381895
Havana Club
The Havana Club, located above Ruth's Chris Steak House two blocks north of Inner Harbor, features Latin music Wednesdays through Fridays. Guests note a small dance floor and the club's focus on its cigar bar, so make sure smoke getting in your eyes won't ruin your evening. Havana Club features celebrity humidors once belonging to Demi Moore and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Havana Club
600 Water St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 468-0022
havanaclub-baltimore.com
About The Author
Rogue Parrish has written two travel books and edited at the "The Baltimore Sun," "The Washington Post" and the Alaska Newspapers company. She began writing professionally in 1975. Parrish holds a summa cum laude Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from the University of Maryland.
