The Washington, D.C. area has one of the most active Latin dance scenes on the east coast. And wouldn't you know that one of its mainstays is right here in Arlington: The Salsa Room!
Wind up your 'Cuban Motion' (the distinctive hip movement in many Latin dances) at the Salsa Room - one of the D.C. metropolitan area's hottest and most long-lived salsa nightclubs, located right here in Arlington!
Salsa, Kizomba, Bachata, Merengue, Mambo, Zouk... you name it, there's a night for it at The Salsa Room!
Formerly known as Cecilia’s, the club has presented the area's best DJs as well as live international Latin artists since 1991. Legendary salsa artists such as Marc Anthony, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Oscar D’Leon and many others have performed on their stage. In 2008, the name was changed to the Salsa Room to reflect the region's thriving salsa community.
Perhaps due to the popularity of TV shows such as So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With the Stars, Latin dance has seen a tremendous resurgence in popularity in recent years. With residents who hail from around the globe, or have traversed it, Arlington's Latin dance scene is both authentic and welcoming.
"Ten years ago, three-quarters of [The Salsa Room's] patrons were Spanish-speaking," said Franco Villarreal, who co-owns the venue with his brother, in an interview in Arlington Magazine (Jul/Aug 2015). "Now, that number is 25%. The rest are a mix of Asians, Europeans and Americans obsessed with salsa and bachata." In addition to many great regional DJs, instructors and dance teams, The Salsa Room also plays host to an international array of visiting artists, including NYC's Framboyan (see video below).
Don't let their fancy moves intimidate you! Need to brush up your shines and spins? Never fear, there are a range of classes to get you in-step:
Salsa Dancing on Thursday:
Salsa Dancing on Friday:
Salsa Dancing on Saturday:
The Salsa Room has revamped its menu to reflect its diverse clientele. The new Latin Fusion concept offers tastes from the Americas to the Caribbean. You can enjoy Sunday Brunch, as well as a special lunch menu Monday through Friday.
The distinctive menu offers fresh and authentic dishes like:
The Salsa Room is located on the Columbia Pike corridor, at 2619 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204.
Author: Jim Byers
