As a growing bachata dancer who is also a full-time nomad traveling around the world, I now arrange my itineraries according to dance scenes and the digital nomad community. Recently, I stayed in Lisbon, Portugal, for about 2 months exploring the startup scene and digital nomad lifestyle there. I must say it comes up high as my potential European base, that I’m likely coming back to base myself there soon. On the dancing side, I have found it to be an interesting mix, with a bit of a rocky start. I have ranked the best places to dance salsa and bachata in Lisbon in order of my favorites, with the first being my top favorite. This is one of my “best places to dance bachata in the world” series, where you can find detailed guides to personally tested salsa bachata socials around the world.
Since Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, I was expecting a large dance scene like those in many other European capitals, but because Portugal is a small country, the dance scene is also somewhat small. I had trouble finding quality dance spots in the first week, but after some experimentation, I quickly found the best places. Overall, there aren’t that many places to dance, and the frequency of dance events is less than that in nearby nations like Spain. However, the biggest socials that do happen on a weekly basis attract some of the best dancers I’ve met.
1. DanSunday
DanSunday is a weekly Sunday evening social organized by Jazzy Dance School. It is by far the most popular salsa, bachata, kizomba, and semba social in Lisbon. It attracts the highest level of dancers and usually has a packed house at every event. I started going there when they hosted an anniversary party and made it free – let’s say it’s one of the fullest and most competitive dance floors I’ve ever been in.
It usually starts with an open-level group class, followed by socials. The socials are separated into different rooms depending on the dance style, which is always my favorite way to dance.
During anniversary parties or special events, they also hire photographers to photograph everyone dancing and usually upload all the high-resolution photos to their Facebook page.
Location
The DanSunday social is based in the Jazzy Dance School – Santos location.
Av. Brasília 254, 1200-109 Lisboa
Schedule
DanSunday happens every other Sunday. Doors open at 5:45pm and classes start at 6:00pm.
2. UDance Social Set
So does that mean you can only dance once every other Sunday in Lisbon? Of course not. Because every other Sunday, there is UDance Social Set, which is right next door to Jazzy Dance School. That means if you go to both, you will be dancing every Sunday.
The vibe at UDance Social Set is basically the same, but Jazzy has a large room for coat and bag storage while UDance doesn’t. DanSunday also seems to attract slightly larger attendance than UDance. But both are popular, and it’s a guarantee to see some regulars at both.
Location
Rua da Cintura do Porto de Lisboa, Edifício 78, Armazém I, Tv. Nova de Santos 3 4/5, 1200-109 Lisboa
Schedule
Every other Sunday (different Sundays than DanSunday). Open-level classes start at 6:00PM.
3. Top Floor Club
Top Floor Dance Club has regular Friday Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba socials, although during some holidays and special events, they won’t always have a Friday social. So make sure to always stay tuned to their Instagram announcements.
Salsa and bachata are in the same (main) room, while kizomba has its own room. The space isn’t super big, but it also doesn’t attract nearly as many people who go to DanSunday and UDance Social Set. However, on a good night, there are plenty of good dancers to choose from as well. Some nights are definitely more vibrant than others.
Location
R. do Bojador 29, 1990-254 Lisboa
Schedule
Every Friday evening at 11 PM (with some exceptions – make sure to check their Instagram).
4. Bachata Lisbon Friday Social
Bachata Lisbon Friday Social occurs every Friday evening, at a beautiful location across from the river, so most people will have to take the ferry across if they don’t already live there. However, the commute is usually efficient and not too much hassle.
The venue has a sweeping view of the Lisbon skyline across the river, which is amazing to dance to. That’s one of my favorite features of this social. The teachers there are super friendly, and the community is very inviting. It is actually great to practice because the crowd is usually pretty small. You can get to know people pretty quickly.
The level skews beginner, but if you dance with the teachers, you will be impressed as they are both amazing. There are also always some one-time travel dancers passing by who are usually the wild cards, as many of them tend to dance at least an intermediate to advanced level.
Location
R. Trindade Coelho 3, 2800-297 Almada
Schedule
Every Friday evening from 8:00PM to 11:00PM.
5. Barrio Latino
Barrio Latino is a Latin dance club – not far from Jazzy Dance School or UDance. There is usually a Thursday salsa, bachata, and kizomba social there. Like Top Floor, Barrio Latino has one room for salsa and bachata and a separate room for kizomba.
I was surprised to see that attendance was low at this club, as it is very well publicized. The level also skews beginner, but some nights are better than others.
Location
Edifício 78, Santos, R. da Cintura do Porto de Lisboa Armazem i, 1200-109 Lisboa
Schedule
Every Thursday (unless noted otherwise from their social media) at 10:00PM.
6. Instagram accounts, WhatsApp groups, Facebook groups, dancing calendars, sporadic socials by smaller dance schools + bars
Instagram Accounts
There are a few Instagram accounts that cross-post dancing events from multiple organizers. Bachata Lisboa is the biggest one to follow and Bachata Lis is also a great account (which is the same organizer/admin as the WhatsApp group below).
There are some smaller dance schools or collectives that announce socials on a non-regular basis. The way to know about them is to stay updated on social media, follow accounts like Latin Dance Hub.
WhatsApp + Facebook Groups
Make sure to join Bachata Lis WhatApp group, and Facebook groups like Bachata@Lisboa and Salsa / Bachata Portugal.
Dancing Calendars
There is a great dancing calendar here that is being actively updated as of the time I wrote this article.
Some dancing bars in and around Lisbon
Layla Bar, R. João da Silva 167b, 2775-586 Carcavelos (newer social series on Wednesday nights)
Feel Setúbal, R. da Cordoaria 17 A, 2900-395 Setúbal (they have Latin Thursdays)
7. Casela Dancing Days
On Saturdays, a big sports/dancing complex called Caselas Dança Desportiva hosts regular dance events. I personally haven’t been there yet, so I can’t comment on the vibe, but it seems to be worth checking out when I come back.
Location
Caselas Dança Desportiva, R. do Pai Calvo, 1400-056 Lisboa
Schedule
On Saturdays, 8:30PM
8. Segundas SBK – Mondays in the summer
In the summer, from May to October (?), there is a casual Monday dance social in the park where a lot of small kiosks selling drinks and food are located. This park is also situated at the beautiful riverfront of Lisbon so the view is very nice.
Make sure you only bring your absolute essentials and have either a belt bag or put everything in your pocket as it is a completely unguarded public area.
The other challenge is that if you are completely new to Lisbon, I don’t recommend starting here because you wouldn’t know who actually dances, as it is a public park. You have to get to know some faces in the community first to enjoy this event.
From my personal experience, this place doesn’t attract that many people to dance – the nights I went to only had maybe 5-10 pairs dancing. But there is usually a larger tourist crowd forming later into the night as the DJ usually turns the music into more of a party/clubbing vibe.
However, some of my favorite advanced dancers also occasionally show up there. So it’s worth of a shot if you love outdoor dancing and want a chill vibe (with some dancing involved).
Location
Jardim Roque Gameiro, Cais do Sodre, 1200-450 Lisbon
Schedule
Every Monday in the summer, from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
9. Bachata Open Air – Saturdays in the summer
On the other side of the river, a Saturday late afternoon class and social series is a delightful way to spend your weekend, if dancing outdoors in a park is your thing. The same teachers who teach at Bachata Lisbon Friday night social also teach here.
The level also skews a bit beginner, and turnout isn’t usually huge, but if you prefer intimate dance settings and lots of chances to practice, this is a great place to be. Follow Bachata Lis‘s Instagram to stay updated.
Location
Parque Municipal de Santo António da Caparica, Av. Afonso de Albuquerque, 2825-448 Costa da Caparica
Schedule
Saturdays during the summer, 5PM to 8PM
10. Breakpoint, Ericeira
If you have a car or are not opposed to commuting quite a bit from Lisbon on Saturday nights, you can dance at Breakpoint, which is in Ericeira, on the side of the Atlantic Ocean. I have yet to go there myself, but it seems to be a popular local recurring dance event. So definitely worth checking out if you are staying in Lisbon longer or based here.
Location
Urbanizacao Moinhos do Mar, Lote C, Ericeira 2655-319
Schedule
Saturday evenings at 8PM.
