5 San Francisco Hot Spots for Latin Dancing

If you’ve ever seen a Latin couple doing the tango after a couple of drinks and before a go at each other in the bedroom, you’ve seen sexy in action. And even when it’s not the tango … when it’s salsa or meringue or simply shaking your stuff to Shakira … Latin dancing is where the heat is always at. You just can’t do that kind of passion-driven movement without feeling the steam rise. San Francisco has its hot spots for people who love Latin dancing. Some of these are in The Mission as would be expected but there are some in other neighborhoods as well. In fact, some of the best options are in other parts of the city.

Here is a look at five of the best spots in San Francisco for people who love Latin dancing:

1. Roccapulco, 3140 Mission St. (@ Army St.) Bernal Heights 415.648.6611

This is THE salsa spot in the city. It draws in the big name salsa bands, it’s got the traditional wood floor for being able to slide smoothly and it’s the one that has a regular salsa lesson class for beginners. If you’re new to the Latin thing, this is your hot spot. It’s San Francisco; you know everyone there is sexy. Everyone is also kind so it’s okay if you don’t entirely know what you’re doing yet.

2. Café Cocomo Bar, Grill and Nightclub, 650 Indiana St. (@ Mariposa St.) Potrero Hill 415.824.6910

If you really want to find someone sexy to steam it up with, this dress code spot where slinky is the norm should be your salsa dancing target. Aim your arrow for Thursday or Sunday night if you want to get salsa lessons on the spot before the music starts. There’s a “dancer’s corner” for advanced folks but there are great dancing opportunities throughout the space.

3. Mojito, 1337 Grant Ave. (@ Green St.) North Beach 415.398.1120

You might not think steamy Latin nights when you think about Little Italy but that’s only because you haven’t been to Mojito yet. A few of those drinks of the same name and you’ll be swishing your stuff with the best of the salsa dancers crowded on the small dance floor and laughing at each other’s half-learned skills. Typically Latin dancing is available at least one weekend night of the week.

4. The Glas Kat Supper Club, 520 4^th St. (@ Bryant St.) SoMa 415.495.6620

This 12,000 square foot place is hot all of the time. On Wednesdays, it’s Bondage-a-Go-Go night when go-go girls gyrate in cages and bondage fans spank each other upstairs. On Saturdays, it’s Tabu, the hip hop and urban house night. But it’s Tuesday you want if salsa is your thing; that’s Ay Karamba night and if you turn up there, you’ll see why. Hawaiian fusion food and tapas are available.

5. The Café, 2367 Market St. (@ Castro St.) The Castro 415.861.3846

Thursday is Latin night (called Pan Dulce!) at this mixed-orientation bar in The Castro. If you want to get hot and heavy with someone of the same gender, someone of the opposite gender or someone totally genderless, this is where you need to go. Go-go boys on the weekends keep this spot steamy even when the music moves away from Mexico but it’s Thursdays that you’re aiming for if you love Latin dancing.