Santiago de Cali wears the title ‘world capital of salsa’ with aplomb. Traditional bars brim with passionate locals whose blood pulsates salsa rhythms. Get ready to fall in love.
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Salsa in Cali
Cali offers dance classes, live bands and expert salsa performances every day of the week. Not many Colombian cities can say this.
Salsa club Tin Tin Deo’s reputation spans the entire country, attracting the finest movers and burgeoning stars. This diminutive second-floor venue, its walls emblazoned with salsa icons, is very foreigner-friendly. Go on a Thursday night if you can for a discount entry.
Legendary Topa Tolondra specializes in authentic salsa, live shows, and professional performances. There's no need to go with a partner as local dancers scour the surrounding tables picking up newbies. Get there early, as it soon fills up.
Stepping away from tradition, Delirio fuses world-class dancing with circus acts and various themes.
Two giant tents, located in the northern outskirts at the Valle del Pacífico Events Center, host these monthly performances watched by more than 1,000 people. And while tickets are not cheap – at around 150,000-260,00COP (US $38-65) – where else can you witness salsa dancers swinging from trapezes to the beat of Michael Jackson?
Or, go during the Feria de Cali, the country’s major salsa festival held here in December, for the end-of-the-year extravaganza.
Experience an edgy night out in Cali
Keen for a night off salsa? Then head to Martyn’s Bar. For over 30 years, this American-style rock-and-roll joint has exuded fun. With license plates, flags, vinyl records and motorbikes dotted around, Martyn’s Bar (Wed-Sat) entertains with blaring classic rock music, live bands, and even singing contests.
Marathon dancers
Just as everything begins to close, Menga, an area in the north, ramps up the party.
Café de Mi Tierra merges salsa, electro, and commercial music to the mixed crowd mingling in the dance area. In its garden, sweating dancers take a breath while groups of friends pass around bottles of rum or aguardiente – a must-try, aniseed-flavored liquor.
Still energized? Head to Lolas, a white-domed club whose crossover beats and piercing lasers excite its beautiful clientele every weekend.
Favela also stays open until 6.00am, thrilling guests with its industrial design, fully equipped with container-style platforms rising above the strobe-illumined dance floor.
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