Correction: Salsa Caribe Remains Open for Business as Normal

Steven Schwankert | May 4, 2017 12:48 am | 7 comments | 7403 reads

Correction: Salsa Caribe management contacted the Beijinger on Thursday and strenuously denied that the venue is closed or that there is any pending format change, as numerous sources on WeChat and within Courtyard Four have indicated. "If we were going to close or make any change, we would announce it directly, ourselves," said a Salsa Caribe representative who did not give his name, by telephone. We regret the error. We continue to wonder, however, why so many people are posting to WeChat with a very different impression. We have updated the article below to reflect the most accurate information we have at this time.

Salsa Caribe twirled its last dance this week, adding to the growing list of well-known Beijing bars closed in 2017, and ending an era of dance in the city. 

The dance club has been in Courtyard Four before that area was ever known by that name. Opened in 2004, Salsa Caribe rode the popularity of salsa dancing that swept Beijing in the years prior to the Olympics.

Along with Salsa Caribe was Latinos – not to be confused with the Brazilian barbecue restaurant of the same name – also a dance club that featured live music performed by a Colombian band, with a Latin American theme and of course, lots of salsa dancing. 

Latinos, which was part of small bar scene at Chaoyang Park South, vacated that premises when the area was chai' ed before the Olympics, moved to Dongzhimennei, and closed for good not so long afterward. Caribe has been the sole salsa stalwart. In recent years Salsa Caribe had acquired a reputation for a rougher crowd but has continued on to the present.

While for the moment there may be no dedicated salsa venue in Beijing, Related dance events also continue at other venues. "Mambo" Jack Dunn, co-founder of Phoenix Dance Company, told the Beijinger that regular salsa events continue throughout the city. Specifically, Phoenix now hosts the weekly Mambo Vibe@Yin Bar at Yin on 12 every Saturday night, featuring an open class for the salsa, bachata, and kizomba dance styles, followed by dancing until late. 

Photo: Steven Schwankert/ the Beijinger

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illmatical7's picture illmatical7 Submitted by Guest on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 04:03

So sorry to hear that this place closed. As the article mentioned, this venue was pivotal for all Salsa events prior to the Olympics.

I was in Beijing for 8 months in 2013. Although I am a dancer from NYC, this place was instrumental for my development as a social dancer. It was a great place to make friends and of course to meet women. I lived 2kms and I was here 4 - 5 nights a week.

Some of my most important dancing. Beijing served a purpose. This place was great because after the salsa dancing, it converted to a regular club.

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