Itching to put on your dancing shoes? From ballroom to barn dancing, social clubs to club scenes—Connecticut offers something for every type of dancer to get their groove on. We’ve rounded up some of the most popular places for you to swing, salsa, even country line dance your way across Connecticut.
Nightclubs
World-class entertainment and electric crowds light up dance floors across Connecticut in clubs rivaling those in New York or Boston.
- Club Vandome, New Haven
Move to the sounds of fusion “Cumbia-Bachata-Merengue-Reggaeton” salsa, techno, R&B, and hip hop at this high-energy club, popular with the 20-something crowd. Bonus: Celebrate your birthday with twenty-five of your closest friends for free.
- Bar Night Club, New Haven
For heart-thumping tunes and lively dance floor, head straight to the Back Room and join the dance party. Tip: on your way back, a pre-dance dinner detour to grab a local craft brew and some of Bar’s trademark delicious pizza is never a bad call.
- Avalon, Mohegan Sun, Uncasville
With state-of-the-art sound and lighting system, impeccably designed décor, and top musical entertainment, Avalon stays in lockstep with its legendary predecessors. This 10,000 square foot mega-club with an oversized dance floor is the perfect place to show off your moves like Jagger.
- Vista Lounge, Mohegan Sun, Uncasville
The late-20s/early 30s set flocks to this sophisticated and intimate lounge for staggering planetarium views, bubbly boozy drinks, plush couches and cozy little nooks. But looks aren’t everything. With a state-of-the-art, near-field, bi-amped, 60-thousand-watt mega sound system, crowds pack the dance floor.
- Partners Café, New Haven
Open seven days a week, you can always count on some high-energy action at New Haven’s premiere gay bar. Check the calendar for the scoop on their endless rotation of themed events.
- Shrine, Foxwoods, Mashantucket
Ranked in the Top 100 nightclubs in the world ten years running, Shrine is a little slice of Vegas right here in Connecticut. Expect VIP-level service, a crowd dressed to impress, world-class DJs and entertainment.
- The Palms, Stamford
With two floors of dancing and DJs mixing non-stop beats, the friendly, laid-back crowds at this Latin lounge erupt into an all-out dance party night after night.
Swing
East Coast, West Coast, whatever coast, we’ve got it.
- Ken Mercik's West Coast Swing, Polish Home, Windsor Locks
West Coast Swing ventures East every Friday night. Rotating instructors kick off the night with beginner and intermediate dance lessons before the crowds tear up the dance floor to the sounds of DJ Ken Mercik.
- Vinnie's Jump & Jive Monthly Swing Dance, Middletown
Like their motto states, Vinny’s draws “All kinds of dance. All kinds of people.” Hordes of dancers across New England strut their stuff at these large-scale dance parties every 2nd and 4th Friday. All welcome, no partner needed.
- Hartford Community Dance, West Hartford and Wethersfield
Twice a month, swing dancers come out in droves to lindy hop to the sounds of the finest bands and DJs from New York City, Boston, and across New England. For a different spin, Swing Jam throws in the occasional waltz, Latin, foxtrot, hustle and night club two-step.
- West Coast Swing with Erik Novoa, Dance Dimensions, Norwalk
Join SwingShoes every Thursday night for West Coast Swing group classes with Erik Novoa, 3-time U.S. Open West Coast Swing finalist and 2-time national Hustle champion. We also feature classes in Hustle, Salsa, and Night Club Two Step. Get ready to have a fun, new experience.
Salsa
Share your passion for salsa, connect with other dancers, and enjoy the sounds of congas, timbales, and bongos at one of the regular salsa socials across the state.
- Mambo, New London
A lively restaurant and dance club in downtown New London, this family-owned club offers Salsa dancing every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening.
- Vinnie's Jump & Jive Salsa Socials, Middletown
Every 1st and 3rd Friday
This community dance hall draws dancers all across Connecticut and the surrounding states for their salsa socials hosted every 1st and 3rd Friday. No partners needed and all levels welcome.
Country Line
If you’re looking for some boot-scooting, watermelon-crawling, old fashioned fun, we’ve got you covered.
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Cadillac Ranch, Southington
For live music and line dancing, look no further than the Cadillac Ranch. You’ll find line, partner, swing, and 2-step dancing—and when your feet need a break, karaoke and a mechanical bull.
Contra
New England’s take on English country dance and American square dance, contra is a lively, fun line dance perfect for meeting new people and making friends.
- Hartford Community Dance, Coventry & Wethersfield
Every 1st Friday, Patriots Park Lodge, Coventry
Every 2nd Saturday, American Legion/Griffin Academy, Wethersfield
Live music, contra callers and traditional New England social dance come together twice a month for a night of jigs and reels.
- Mystic Pie Dance, Groton Senior Center, Groton
Every 4th Saturday
What takes Contra to the next level? If you said homemade pie, the Mystic Contra Dance is for you. Enjoy a slice of homemade pie in between dances at these lively, family-friendly gatherings.
Prepare to move – wear cool, comfortable clothing.
Ballroom
Whether you’re in the mood for a little Foxtrot or Rumba or Cha Cha Cha, you’ll have no trouble finding a dance partner at one of these social dances.
- Ron & Lee Cote's Saturday Dance, Ukrainian Hall, Cromwell
Every Wednesday and 1st Saturday
Join in the festivities as the Ukrainian Hall comes alive with Ballroom, Latin, Swing, and Disco dancing. Seasoned dancers and newcomers welcome.
- Waterford Ballroom Dance Studio, Waterford
Complimentary group classes Saturdays from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. (included with cover charge), followed by open Ballroom and Latin dance parties every Saturday night. Great food, drinks, friends and dancing.
- Vitti's Dance Studio, Danbury
Every 2nd Saturday
Ballroom and Latin Social with DJ for all levels, couples and singles.
- USA Dance New London, East Lyme Community Center, Niantic
Every 2nd and 4th Friday July through August
Every 1st and 4th Saturday September through June
- Hartford Ballroom, Hartford
Every 2nd Friday: Nate's Milonga Mariposa
Every 4th Friday: Salsa Night at Hartford Ballroom!
Every Wednesday: Hartford Underground's Midweek Swingout at Hartford Ballroom
Tango
With a vibrant Tango community in Connecticut, you don’t need to go far to perfect your traveling ochos and colgadas.
- Tango Sueno, Danbury, Milford, Stamford
Saturdays
Tango socials, or milongas, held every Saturday at rotating locations in Milford and Norwalk.
Cajun/Zydeco
When you have a hankering for the joyful, electric music genre and non-stop foot-stomping, there’s Cajun/Zydeco dancing.
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Hartford Community Dance, American Legion/Griffin Academy, Wethersfield
Every 3rd Saturday, September-May
The longest running Cajun/zydeco dance series in New England, people return month after month for a dose of the infectious energy of live Louisiana music and dance. First-timers: come early for a free lesson.
Ecstatic
Let it all go and let the music take you in a free-form ecstatic dance party.
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New Haven Ecstatic Dance, Your Community Yoga Center, Hamden
Surrender your thoughts and give into your body’s spontaneous movement to DJ-spun electric beats in a judgment-free environment. No shoes, no alcohol, no talking. Just music and dance.
From bustling nightclubs to weekly community center takeovers, every corner of Connecticut is crawling with places to dance the night away. But before you put on your dancing shoes, make sure to double-check current schedules and seasonal details.
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