Cali is one of my favorite places in the world. I’ve been several times, and one of my closest friends is caleña.
If you’re wondering where to dance salsa in Cali, you’ve come to the right place! Cali will spoil you with options so good you won’t feel like leaving. Bailamos!
Mondays
Caption: What a normal night at Topa can look like. on InstagramTopa Tolondra
If you haven’t been to La Topa, as the locals call it, you haven’t really been to Cali. Topa Tolondra is more of an institution than a place. It’s my favorite and many others, both visitors and locals, feel the same way. If La Topa Tolondra one day suddenly wouldn’t be around, it would be as if Cali lost a part of its identity. I’m not exaggerating. Many fell in love with the city here.
When you feel like dancing salsa in Cali, you can always rest assured that La Topa will have you covered. Mondays are one of the most happening nights here. Under the theme “Friends Salsa Party” dancers from the dance schools give glasses between 7 pm to 9 pm, followed by social dance. The ambiance is always open. Everyone dances with everyone, which makes it a great place to hit both alone as well as with friends to dance non-stop all night long.
Las Brisas
Located in the Jamundi district, Las Brisas is an open-air club with a real salsa caleña vibe that has created good times since 1974.
Tuesdays
Photo credit: Topa Tolondra
Tuesdays at Topa starts with cinema between 7-9 pm, followed by social dance with a special program: “Tres salsas por un bolero” (Three salsas for a bolero), under the slogan “tres pa’ despelucarla y una pa’ amacizarla”. There is no perfect translation of this to English, but it means more or less three to fleece her and one to love her.
Siboney
From 8 pm to 3 am, Tuesdays at Siboney are all about Salsa and Pachanga.
Wednesdays
Topa Tolondra
Wednesdays at Topa are called salsa para el bailador (salsa for the dancer). Expect a mix of rhythms such as bolero, pachanga, chachachá, la salsa arrebatada, la salsa dura, el bugalú and son cubano.
Thursdays
Photo credit: Topa Tolondra
Live music and good ambiance!
Zaperoco Bar
Small, traditional bar with live music every Thursday. Some of the biggest names in the salsa world have played here and the place is full of personality.
Many people come here in groups or with friends. You can still go alone (I’ve done that and always ended up having a great time), but the ambiance it’s not as open and “all over the place” as in Topa. Since it’s smaller you’ll naturally have fewer options for people to dance with. You’ll be very close to the musicians, which is an experience in itself!
Donde Esta Fabio
Small, with a great vibe! I had so much fun when I went. While it’s open from 8 pm, many locals come here late after they’ve been to other places. If you come before 9 pm there is no cover, while you pay $15K after 9 pm.
Mala Maña
Downstairs in a basement kind of local. The vibe can be very busy or pretty relaxed here, depending on the night! A favorite among many locals.
Fridays and Saturdays
Photo credit: All places are good during the weekend! The question is, what are you in the mood for?
Topa, Siboney, Mala Maña, Donde Esta Fabio, Puntobare, Chango (for late nights, some great dancers here), Tienda Vieja (often great live music by well-known groups. Usually plays a mix of salsa, reggaeton, hip hop, and pop) – and the list goes on!
Check out their Instagram or Facebook pages to find out what’s going on. You can also often make reservations directly via social media.
Sundays
Topa Tolondra
In the mood to dance away the last hours of the week? Feel free to do so at Topa. By now, you already knew. 😉 If you need a day to recover, Sundays can also be a good option for that.
Have you been to Cali yet? Questions, or did I miss any of your favorite places? Let me know in the comments!
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