Latin dance in Asia

Although Latin music is getting popular among young generations in Japan, Latin dance like salsa is practiced by only selected group of people. The place called Roppogi, in the heart of Tokyo, is favorite nightspot for foreigners and tourists. You can find many bars, which are very similar with American or a British bar, there you will see people from all over the world.

Many people use a subway for reaching Roppongi, however, the subway system stop by 12PM. So many people spend all night staying bars or a discotheque until the first subway comes around 5AM morning.

There are few Latin bars in Roppongi. One of the famous spots is called "Salsa Caribe." If you go to the Salsa Caribe on weekend the place is packed and so crowded, you hardly can dance there around 10PM. But most of Japanese men go back to home before 12PM. There are other places in Tokyo where you can dance salsa, but I would not recommend other places to go since most of staffs speak only Japanese or not enough customers to enjoy dancing over there.

During weekdays, the bar is almost empty, so the bar is used for the dance lesson between 8PM and 9PM daily. You may dance with a customer who came to the lesson; however, these customers also go back to home before 12PM.

The major difference between most of Salsa bars around the world and the Salsa bars in Roppongi is people can perform pair dance well and they are welcome to dance with strangers. If you are a girl just wait for some guy to ask you dance, and if you are a man, just ask any girl whom around you. Most of the girls are available only for one single dance. Since the most of people prefer to dance with many partners as possible, it is common practice to say "Thank you" after the one single dance and look for an another partner. Although you can easily dance with anybody there, the chance of getting to know someone and become an instant couple is not common. So do not expect too much.

If you can speak only English, do not worry. You do not need a language to communicate; the dance itself is good enough for the communication.

The new opened salsa spot called "El Cafe Latino" is also good place to go in Roppongi. This place is like Salsa Caribe; there is a dance lesson every day. So go there after 9PM. If you go after the midnight during the weekend, you do not see many Japanese. You do not hear Salsa or Merengue instead you will hear Hip Hop,House,Cumbia ,Vallenato and Lambwada. Unlike Japanese, they prefer to dance more freely since Salsa need to learn.

The both places charge 1500 Yen for the entry during weekend, which include one drink. The price of the drinks is around 800Yen to 1200 Yen.

There are also latin club in Roppongi operated by opearation. Salsa Sudada is one of the favorite spot for Latinos. There are more latin music played other than salsa. During weekend the club is packed all night long. You will see many Japanese girls but not men there.

The name of the bar is El Niño. The place is located the center of KL near KLCC. Since the Malaysia is composed of few races, you will find Chinese, Malay, Indian, European and other in the bar. The bar charges 25R(About US7dollar) for weekend. The place is open for the restaurant before the people start dance. About 12PM every night, you can see the live band about an hour. Many people com

e to hear the music and drink. Unlike Latin bars in Japan, most of people come there to experienced the Latin atmosphere but not for pair dancing. You will not see couples who perform superb dance like Japan where people are experience dance lessons. The problem in Malaysia is most customers are not welcome for dancing with strangers. Especially Malay girls are not friendly there.

El Nino, Salsa Club, Casa Salsa, La Fiesta, Señor Pico's

and Baila Baila. It's all located in the center of Bangkok.

All the places are performing live bands after 9 o'clock. For some clubs, there are as much as four live performance every night. Unlike other countries, no charge for entrance. It's really bargain for experiencing the Latin bands from South America in Bangkok. The the even one of the most expensive club like Salsa Club or El nino cost 100Bth or US3 dollar for a beer. You can enjoy every clubs with a least budget. For most of places serve foods like Mexican or Cuban dishes as well.

Filipino people love dancing. In many major hotels where ballrooms are accommodated should have dance activity every night. In the ballroom you can request to play Latin music to a DJ in the hotel. In Philippine, they are not used to dance with someone who do not know. The most of customers stick with one partner while staying the ballroom. If you come alone, do not worry. There are people called "dance instructors" available who can dance with you by buying them a drink. Most of instructors are young male and female, but some customers are old as the ball room play all the kind of music. Many rich Filipino ladies come to the ballroom for dance with a young male instructor!

In Philippine, the most of hotels charge around US$5 dollar for the entrance and ordering some drink. In Philippine, people love to dance with pop music using Hustle or Swing or even Jitterbug. Many can dance Cha-Cha, but not many can dance Salsa.

Cafe Havana

1903 M. Adriatico cor. Remedios St. (near Malate Circle), Manila
521-8097
Cuban Restaurant & Bar. You will see people dance salsa there.

Live start 11PM every night without charge

Bogota

574　Pedro Gill St.　Malate Manila　524-9245

Start live every night 9PM for every hour.

300 Peso consumable drink and food.