You Can Salsa Dance Under the Stars in Greenville, SC

Did you know that you could take free Salsa dancing lessons in Greenville, SC. Local mom Kristina shares her favorite places to Salsa dance in Greenville, the perfect romantic date night. You can even dance under the stars!

Salsa dancing is quite close to my heart and it’s pretty awesome we can do it in Greenville, SC! Despite my current last name, I have zero Latin blood in me but rather I’m the typical American mix of European ancestry, ones that arguably aren’t known for their superb dancing styles.

So when I had the chance to take salsa dancing lessons back when I lived near Washington, DC, I jumped at opportunity. I had seen a beautiful couple at the bar/restaurant where the lessons occurred twirling, laughing, and swaying their hips with the Latin beats. I wanted to be that girl and I wanted to learn how to dance like that.

And I did.

This was before marriage and kids so I had time to go several times a week to lessons and dancing. But I got more out of it than I ever expected. I met my husband during one of those early classes. He had been taking lessons for a few months and easily impressed me. We went dancing together for nearly three years before we started dating and then got married.

We don’t go as often as we’d like to now but when I heard about dancing salsa in the plaza at the Peace Center last summer, I got a babysitter and made plans to go. After all, when does the chance come up to dance under the stars? Not often enough.

Salsa at Sunset

On Fridays June 16, July 28, and August 25, 2023, Upstate International hosts the amazing Salsa at Sunset event at Camperdown Plaza in downtown Greenville. It’s a free outdoor event that features free group salsa lessons, a live band that plays salsa, merengue, and bachata (other Latin dance styles) and a beer and wine cash bar.

The event is family-friendly as well. We saw lots of kids there getting their groove on. There were dancers of every age and ability.

All of the events are from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. and include free dance lessons and lots of dancing.

In my experience of Latin dancing, it really doesn’t matter your age or ability or anything else you’re nervous about and that may be holding you back. Everyone just wants to have fun.

Dancing is a great equalizer. Most dancers are patient and eager to teach and learn. Dancing is a wonderful activity to let your body take over and move with the music and give your brain a break from doing any thinking. It’s relaxing and a great date activity.

Other places to go dancing

Greenville has an active little salsa dancing community.

Every Thursday night at Brass on Congaree Road plays host to Pasion Thursdays. The DJ plays a mix of Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata.

Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. and run for an hour. It’s a $7/person cover per person (nights with live bands are $10/person) and you must be 21.

SalsaGreenville also gives salsa lessons.

What to Wear and Other Questions

For women, a shoe with a smooth bottom and a heel not more than two inches is preferable (tennis shows aren’t the best because they stick to the floor but I’ve seen women wear them and do fine). I’ve usually gotten my shoes at this website, which is so fun, but I’ve also danced in regular shoes I’ve bought at some big box discount store. At Salsa at Sunset, I usually just use sneakers and it’s fine.

Dresses are enjoyable to wear but just be sure they either don’t fly all the way up when you spin or wear shorts underneath. Be comfortable because you’ll be moving around a lot.

For men, shoes with smooth bottoms are ideal as well. And just dress comfortably.

You don’t need a partner for lessons. You rotate around and get to dance with everyone there so it’s not necessary to come with anyone.

Give it a shot – you may just love it.

For more date night ideas see our list of the 10 Most Romantic Dates in Greenville.

Have you ever tried salsa dancing?