Top 7 Places to Dance Salsa in Paris

Ready to Salsa?

Updated by Vanessa M in August 2023.

No, it is not only the best sauce in the world, but it is also a very popular form of dance. It originates from different cities: New-York, Puerto Rico and Cuba. The movements of Salsa are a combination of different Afro-Cuban dances like the cha-cha-cha, Son, Rumba, Mambo, and Bomba. This type of dance and its music had a major development in the 1970s in the city of New-York.

It is important to know that there are different kinds of ways to dance salsa. Regions of Latin America and the USA have their own salsa styles such as Puerto Rican, L.A. or Cuban styles. They do have one thing in common though: you need to be able to move those hips of yours. Now if you feel like dancing, continue reading this article to discover my top three places to dance salsa in Paris.

1. Le Pachamama

The fabulous Pachamama – Ombeline’s tips

This (as you can see, so cool) place is located close to Bastille, in a historic nineteenth-century building built by no other than Mr. Gustave Eiffel himself. Inspired by myths and sacred symbols of the pre-Colombian people, filled with Latin traditions from Tulum to the favelas of Rio De Janeiro. This neo-vintage home seems to be getting straight out of the colonial period.

On the first floor, you have La Cantina, this restaurant offers a plunging view on the dance-floor. It has a retro vibe that makes you feel like you are in one of those 50’s movies. The wide ballroom is perfect to dance the whole night long on Salsa and Latin music.

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46-48 rue du faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris –

Tel: + 33 (0)1 55 78 84 75

2. Khao Suay

Show Salsa at Khao Suay – Youtube

Located in the rue de Lappe, in Bastille among other famous restaurants and bars, Khao Suay is a bar-restaurant but also a nightclub that opened in 2009. It offers Latino nights but also Cuban salsa courses.

This trendy concept mixes Thai gastronomy, lounge bar, and nightclub, whichever you prefer! The decor is very much luxurious and design with a touch of some traditional Thai ornaments.

20 Rue de Lappe, 75011 Paris – Tel: 01 43 38 20 20

3. La Pachanga

La Pachanga – Sourced from their website

This establishment is famous among salsa dance and music lovers. They have all gone to La Pachanga at one point in their lives. The place has had the whole population of Paris dancing salsa since it opened in 1999.

It is located in the 14th district, close to the Montparnasse Tower. You can either have a drink at the bar, a meal at the restaurants or simply go dancing. This is the perfect place to organize a bachelor party, a birthday or business events. They offer group prices. The theme of La Pachanga is Latin America -inspired, clients are invited to travel. That way, at the bar, you will taste rum-based cocktails like Mojitos, Caïpirinha or Cuba Libre. Then you can expect Mexican dishes at the restaurant and of course, you will be able to dance on Salsa among other dances like Bachata, Merengue or Kizomba.

The establishment offers salsa courses from Tuesday to Saturday, 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

8 Rue Vandamme, 75014 Paris –  06 58 06 28 13

4. Barrio Latino

This venue exemplifies decadence. The Barrio Latino has become a popular destination for its Latin music, Salsa dancing, and Latin-style South American cuisine, all represented in the vision of its founder, Raymond Visan, who also runs the Buddha Bar in Paris.

Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

This highly innovative founder is constantly on the lookout for unique venues to create a different ambiance from the conventional scenes of either a nightclub or a restaurant, as they mix everything together providing a unique atmosphere that only makes for a great night out and great entertainment in Paris, and today this has led to other venues opening up in other countries around the world.

This is the place to get dressed up, dance the night away, and generally take up the sumptuous ambiance, with four floors each as extravagant as the next.

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46 – 48 Rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine, 75012, Paris, Ile de France, France

Tel: +33 (0) 1 55 78 84 75

5. Cuba Compagnie Café

The Cuba Compagnie bar and restaurant has been serving Cuban delicacies, as well as a wide range of tapas and cocktails, since 1999. Come and discover authentic Cuban cuisine, diverse gastronomy, and an exceptional collection of Cuban rums and cigars!

Marko Kudjerski from Toronto, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cuba Compagnie offers two terraces, one on the Wilhelminaplein with a view of the Caribbean Sea and the other on the Kaya Grandi, Kralendijk’s main street, where there is always something to see.

But Cuba Compagnie is more than just a superb restaurant; with Caribbean Cuba as its main source of inspiration, you can also dance and party till the wee hours of the morning.

The bar room is the ideal setting for a cocktail and an aperitif-tapas in a joyful mood, set to Caribbean rhythms by DJ Janoy. Every Thursday evening at 10 p.m. is Latin Dance Night, a must-attend salsa event!

48 Bd Beaumarchais, 75011 Paris, France

Tel: +33 1 48 06 07 11

6. Le Cubana Café

The Cubana Café is a restaurant, a Cuban bar, a smoking area, and, above all, a one-of-a-kind establishment. The made-in-Cuba decor with warm hues, the salsa, merengue, or kizomba music, and the serene and calm ambiance in the afternoon.

The café is open all day and provides food from dawn to evening, but if you want to dance, come in the evening after the diners have cleared out and the dance floor opens.

Photo by Marko Zirdum from Pexels

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Wednesdays are the greatest nights to go for a true Latino experience because live bands perform at the venue. The ambiance is pretty lively, the interiors are lovely, and the service is excellent. The rum selection is excellent.

47 Rue Vavin, 75006 Paris, France

Tel: +33 1 40 46 80 81

7. O’Sullivans By The Mill

On the Avenue de Clichy, just a few minutes walk from the legendary cabaret Moulin Rouge O’Sullivan is one of those Parisian establishments where friends can gather to drink, celebrate, and watch the major sporting events on the big screen. This Irish pub has a welcoming ambiance and is decidedly modern and stylish.

Photo by Prime Cinematics from Pexels

Night owls come here until late at night to make great memories, and football and rugby enthusiasts gather here over a pint of beer to watch their favorite team’s game on the big screen. Every week, O’Sullivans organizes themed evenings and afterward to round out the festivities.

There is a tiny stage and a dance area in the back room where you may dance the night away. During the week, live bands perform, and on weekends, DJs spin! On Sundays, O’Sullivan’s serves salsa On2 (Puerto Rican/New York style).

92 Bd de Clichy, 75018 Paris, France

Tel: +33 1 53 09 08 49

Where to take Salsa classes in Paris

Studio Harmonic

Studio Harmonic – Sourced from their website

Located in Bastille,  this studio of 1400 square meters offers many different types of courses. Among Hip-Hop and Jazz dances you have, of course, the possibility to train yourself to become the best salsa dancer in the room. We could say that the only downside of the place is its popularity. There are many dancers so make sure you reserve a class in advance.

Read more on 15 Best Nightclubs near the Champs Élysées

Studio Massaro

Studio Massaro – Sourced from their website

Another studio, this one is called Massaro. It is located in the 11th district. There are around forty dancers in the school and more than fifty hours of classes per week.  When going there for the first time you will benefit from a special price of ten euros for this trial class.  The only thing you need to do is to check the dance planning that is on their website and book a course online.

290 Bd Voltaire 75011 PARIS –  Tel: +33 6 50 04 19 78

L’école des danses latines tropicales

Sourced from their website

Located in the center of Paris, between Bastille and Garde de Lyon, it was created in 1998 by a woman called Isis Figaro. It was the first-ever Parisian dance school specialized in tropical Latin dances.  Whether you want to take everyday lessons, summer classes or even become a professional dance teacher, everything there is possible!

40 Rue de Cîteaux, 75012 Paris – Tel:  01 43 72 26 26

Now, are you ready to salsa?