The easiest way to get started with salsa, bachata and kizomba in Edinburgh. Check out our complete guide to starting your Latin and Afro dance journey below.
No partner needed. No experience required. Most people start by coming alone.
'Latin dance' and 'Afro dance' are umbrella terms for a handful of partner dances with shared roots. In Edinburgh, three styles dominate:
Salsa is arguably the world's most popular dance, with the most prevalent styles across Edinburgh being 'LA style' (also known as on1) and Cuban salsa. It is lively, social and full of spins. Fast music, lots of partner rotation and the backbone of Edinburgh's Latin scene. Beginner classes start from the very first step, no experience needed.
Originating from the Dominican Republic, bachata is slow, smooth and one of the easiest Latin dances to pick up. The basic step is simple and the music is melodic, so most people are dancing socially within a few weeks.
Originating from Angola, kizomba is calm, grounded and all about connection. Small walking steps, close embrace and mellow music. A great fit if fast spins feel intimidating and you'd rather slow down.
If we had to advise, we would say pick a style which sounds fun to you and just give it a go. You can always switch or pick another later. We at bailemo learnt salsa first and are now learning bachata. To help you decide, though, below is a quick guide.
| If you want... | Try... |
|---|---|
| Something energetic with lots of spins | Salsa |
| The easiest entry point - simple steps | Bachata |
| Slow, close, connection-focused dancing | Kizomba |
| Romantic, melodic music | Bachata |
| Lively, fiesta-focused music | Salsa |
| A circular, communal, group dance | Cuban salsa / Rueda |
| To try a bit of everything | Try a salsa & bachata combined class |
Still not sure which to choose? Check out our curated guide to salsa vs bachata in Edinburgh to help you decide or go directly to our best salsa beginners classes, best bachata beginners classes or best kizomba beginners classes pages.
A simple, low-pressure plan that takes you from "thinking about it" to dancing socially in four weeks.
Pick a style that appeals (salsa or bachata are the easiest starting points) and book a single drop-in beginner class or block. Don't worry if you are turning up alone, the vast majority do.
Repetition is everything in dance. The second week is when the basic step starts to click and you will start to get a feel for the dance's rhythm. You'll also start recognising faces, which makes it feel friendlier fast.
If you are taking a course, maybe try an additional drop in class this week too, to spend a bit more time practicing and gain from a slightly different teaching style.
Find a beginner-friendly social (look for the 'beginner' tag on events). Arrive early, dance one song, then another. The community is amazing friendly. All regulars will be more than happy to dance with you. We were all beginners once!
Edinburgh Zouk
Alma Latina Dance Project
University of Edinburgh Salsa Society
Bachata Blues Edinburgh
Salsa Club Edinburgh
Orlando OG
Bora Forró
Orlando OG
Move Body
Kizomba_Libre
Edinburgh Zouk
Bora Forró
Kizomba_Libre
Absolutely you can. In fact, most people do. One of the cool things about the scene is that you will meet so many awesome people and Latin dancing itself is built around partner rotation, so you'll dance with lots of different people whether you arrive solo or with friends. Going alone is one of the fastest ways to meet people in the scene.
No. Beginner classes and socials in Edinburgh expect solo dancers and rotate partners throughout the night. You don't need to bring anyone with you.
None at all. Beginner classes assume zero experience and start with the absolute basics such as how to step on the beat, how to hold your partner, and a couple of simple turns.
Comfortable clothes you can move in. To be honest, most salseros, bachateros and kizomba dancers will just wear jeans and a t-shirt when dancing. Avoid anything too loose or restrictive. It gets warm, so breathable layers help.
No, just start with what you have. Clean trainers with a smooth-ish sole work for your first few months. Avoid grippy running trainers as they catch on the floor when you turn.
Edinburgh's Latin scene is genuinely mixed with dancers in their early 20s through to 60s and beyond. Most classes skew 25-45, but there's no 'typical' age. Everyone dances with everyone and that's one of the beauties of it. Different classes and events have different demographics which is where trying a few different ones really works.
Bachata has the gentlest learning curve, salsa has the biggest weekly scene, and kizomba is the calmest. Honestly, the best style to start with is the one with a class running near you this week.
Definitely not. Beginner classes are full of other beginners, and socials almost always have a mix of newcomers and regulars. Edinburgh's scene has a steady stream of new starters every term, so you'll be in good company.
Honestly, this is what classes are for. We at bailemo had no rhythm when we started learning salsa! Rhythm is a skill, not a talent which you will gradually pick up as you learn more and more. Moreover, your teacher will break the music down, count you in, and help you find the beat. Most people who think they have 'no rhythm' are dancing on time within a class or two.
That's the norm rather than the exception. Most people arrive at their first class not knowing a soul. Partner rotation means you'll have danced with half the room by the end of the night, and the community is genuinely welcoming to new faces.
Most people are comfortable on a beginner social floor within 3 to 8 weeks of weekly classes, depending on the style. Bachata is usually fastest, salsa takes a little longer. Everyone in the scene is very friendly and mindful of the fact that we were all beginners once. So, the faster you can gain the confidence to step on the dancefloor in a social setting, the faster you will learn and start to love Latin and Afro dancing.
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