Bachata Social Dancing – What’s it all about?

If you’ve been taking Bachata classes for several weeks you’ll already know that social dancing is more or less the main reason people learn to dance in the first place. Of course learning Bachata has lots of benefits including keeping your body and mind active, meeting new people, learning about music, and learning about yourself too, however social dancing is a great way to test what you have learned and see what you can remember and implement from classes and see how you go leading or following with dancers of all levels and people who you may not know.

Bachata social dancing events bring together people from all walks of life who share a love for Bachata music, rhythm, connection, and expression. And fortunately, in Sydney there is a great Bachata scene with events multiple times every month, full of talented, enthusiastic dancers, and great DJs.

Let’s dive into some of the best places to go for Bachata social dancing in Sydney.

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Bachateame

Bachateame has been running for over 8 years. They hold a monthly Bachata social night on the first Friday of every month and are right in the Sydney CBD. Entry is just $20 and includes a complimentary Bachata class starting at 7:30pm with the main social dancing event starting around 8:30pm until around 1:00am. For those driving there is a Secure parking just down from the venue at Elizabeth Street and Goulburn Street crossroads which is around $15 flat rate for the evening. For those wanting to have a few drinks beforehand the Crown Hotel is just a couple of doors down from the venue. Bachateame is not a licensed to sell alcohol but you can bring your own. It does however sell water to help you stay hydrated throughout the evening.

The venue is quite a large space with ample seating around the outside to rest and places to put your bags. They do have several fans to help cool off but being as this is a social dancing activity expect to sweat a bit, so it’s a good idea to bring a small towel and even a change of top to stay fresh, or of course you can nip outside to cool down and then head right back in. Bachateame is almost 100% Bachata music, there might be the odd Salsa song thrown in but you will definitely be dancing Bachata all night long.

Bachateame is probably one of the largest social events in terms of number of people dancing.

For more information you can visit their Facebook page.

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The Latin Quarter

This monthly pop up party is 100% Bachata just like Bachateame. This event happens typically on the 3rd Friday of every month and is currently hosted at the Off Broadway Hotel in Ultimo. Entry is just $15 for the social event or $30 if you want to take part in the workshop beforehand (numbers limited). Keep in mind if you don't buy online before the door prices are $5 extra. The event starts at 8:00pm for the workshop, with doors open 20 minutes before, with social dancing starting at 9:00pm, until around 1:00am. The venue is easy to get to via public transport and there is ample parking in the area also. The Off Broadway Hotel is a sports bar and licensed to sell alcohol and food, there's complimentary water available too.

The venue is not at large as Bachateame but boasts a good amount of floor space for dancing, split across two levels, ample comfortable seating and tables for those that want to relax for a bit, and enjoy a drink. It's air conditioned but of course with being active you will still work up a bit of a sweat. The Off Broadway location is a favourite amongst dancers in the scene due to the amenities available and also it being historically a popular place for hosting latin dance events.

For more information you can join their Facebook group.

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Movimiento Movimiento

The team run both Salsa and Bachata events, some are pure Bachata such as Bachata Sensacion event and the most recent is a called Salchata, which as the names suggests is a mix of Salsa and Bachata, typically 2 Salsa songs followed by 3 Bachata songs.

Bachata Sensacion

This event is more or less on a monthly basis. It's hosted in Ultimo and Dance Mambo Studio. Entry is $15 cash or $16 on card (it can be more depending on guest instructors). The studio is very easy to get to very public transport and there is street parking right outside also. The event starts around 8:00pm until midnight and does usually include a workshop from the guest instructors. This event is much smaller than the previous ones mentioned, for those that need their Bachata dance fix. The unique thing about this event is because it is smaller in attendance you will get to dance with the guest instructors to really test how you lead or follow. The venue is small as it's just in a studio but there is ample space still to dance. Being a studio it doesn't have lots of seating or a bar obviously but of course you can BYO drink and water. The air conditioning is good in the studio but again being active you may get a bit sweaty.

Salchata

This is a regular Tuesday night event held at Rouge Bar in Cockle Bay Wharf. It starts at 8:0pm until midnight and is FREE entry before 8:30pm, after that is $10 cash or $11 on card. Being a licensed bar there is alchol and food available. The venue also boasts a nice rooftop view out into Darling Harbour. It's an intimate space again, smaller than the first two venues mentioned but has a nice feel to the place with ample seating to relax in between dances. Darling Harbour is very easy to get to via public transport, for those driving there is paid parking available nearby.

For more information you can visit their Facebook page.

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Mambo Underground

This is a Salsa and Bachata monthly event, hosted on the second Friday of every month upstairs at the Pyrmont Bridge Hotel. The great thing about this event is the second floor is 100% Bachata and the top floor is 100% Salsa meaning you can choose how much you want to dance each style. If 100% Bachata is your thing then you can dance non-stop for the duration of the event which is from 9:00pm until 2:00am. Entry is $20 for early bird, $25 on the day, and $30 for last minute at the door. This event does not include any workshop prior, it's simply turn up and get social dancing.

The venue is a popular and well-known bar conveniently located across from Darling Harbour, it's very easy to get to via public transport and there is paid parking available nearby as well. The venue is air conditioned but will get warm inside of course. Both floors have ample seating to relax in between dances, there are bars on both floor also for drinks, and compimentary water.

This event tends to tick all the boxes so is very popular and with it sometimes a bit crowded.

For more information you can visit their Facebook page.

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^{Article image provided courtesy of Mambo Underground and Sydney Dance Pics.}