Dancing in and around Philadelphia

and Eastern Pennsylvania


A guide to places to dance in Philadelphia and surrounding communities (Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Country & Western). Information on locations, prices, schedules, directions, and general description of establishments. Philadelphia borders on New Jersey; so see Dancing in New Jersey for additional local dance venues.
This page is no longer actively maintained.

Contents:

* Short List

* Long List

* Other local information

* How to find the information you need?

* About this page


For additional dance related information, see Aria's Dance Page.


Short List

(in alphabetical order)

Dance Spot

Address

Telephone


Affordable Ballroom Club Springwater Plaza, Route 202,
Glen Mills, PA
610-558-4010
The Arts League 4226 Spruce Street, 215-382-7811.
Barclay Hotel Rittenhouse Square, Phila. 215-545-0300
Blue Moon Dance Studio 319 E. Lancaster Avenue, Exton, PA 19341 610-363-8677
Bronko Bill's Out of business
Charles and Leslie's Dance Studio The Limestone Center, 5342 Limestone Drive, Suite 201, Hockessin, DE. 302-239-2075
Club 92.5 at Valley Forge Sheraton 610-337-2000
Continental Ballroom 2710 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE 19703 302-791-9144
Crystal Dance Club 728 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington 302-764-3262.
Cynwyd Club 332 Trevor Ln, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 610-896-5221
Dance Nights Temple Ohev Shalom, Route 320 North, Wallingford 610-644-0828
Dancers Extraordinaire 22 South Main St, Doylestown, PA 18901 215-340-7780
Dancing at the Warwick Warwick Hotel, 17th and Locust Streets 215-854-8000
DeMarco Dance Studio Closed permanently, see below .
Eighth Floor 800 North Delaware Ave. Phila. 215-922-1000
The Five Spot 34 Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA 215-574-0070
Fluid 613 S. 4th St., Philadelphia, PA 215-629-3686
Greg Avakian's Swing classes at Eighth Floor 215-476-8287
The Jamison Dance Academy 2701 Old York Road, Jamison PA, 18929 (215) 343-1336
Kimberton Ballroom Kimberton & Prizer Roads, Kimberton, PA 19442 610-983-3886
Lehigh Valley USABDA Allentown 610-437-6884
Marie's Dance Center Easton 610-258-6881
Medalist Dance Club Oxford Jewish Community Center, Algon and Unruh Aves. 215-659-7783.
Mirage Nightclub The Barclay Hotel
Rittenhouse Sq. (S. 18th St.)
Philadelphia, PA 19103
.
Mostly Waltz
Paso Doble Ballroom 4501 New Falls Rd, Levittown 215-547-2311
Phila. Swing Dance Society . 609-953-9248
Philly Tango Grapevine PO Box 466, Ambler, PA 19002 215-628-3524
Quickstep, Inc. 49 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore, PA 19003 610-649-6655
Saturday Club W Wayne Ave, Wayne, PA 19087 610-688-9746
Sweet & Sour Silk 5th & Spring Garden, Philadelphia, PA 215-592-8838
Swing at B&R Health Club B&R Full Health & Fitnes Club, 1040 Mill Creek Drive, Feasterville, PA 19053 215-355-2700
Starlighters Corporation . 302-798-6330
Tapestry Historic Dance Ensemble 327 Kenmore Road, Havertown, PA 19083 610-446-6356
Top Hat Dance Studio 3114 Willtis Rd. Philadelphia, PA 19134 215-676-3100
Touch Dancing Studio and Ballroom Changed name to "Quickstep, Inc." .
Tokyo Ballroom and Restaurant 122 Lombard, Society Hill, Philadelphia, PA 215-922-2515
Trocadero Ballroom 2030 Sansom Street Philadelphia, PA 215-542-6147.
University City Arts League . 215-382-7811
University of Pennsylvania Ballroom Dance Society Upenn Campus
Victory Fitness & Dance Center 4350 Chestnut St., Emmaus, PA 18049 610-967-4897
Wayne Senior Center 108 Station Road, Wayne, PA 610-642-0206
Yellow Jackets (Radisson Hotel of Bucks County),
2400 Old Lincoln Highway,
Trevose, PA 19053.
215-638-8300


Long List

/Ballroom/
** Affordable Ballroom Club
Springwater Plaza, Route 202, Glen Mills, PA
610-558-4010

1500 sq. ft. dance floor. Open dances every first and third Saturday of the month, admission $5, includes soft drinks and light snacks. Casual attire. Studio owned by John and Kristin Davis.

** The Arts League

See the entry for University City Arts League

/Ballroom/
** Barclay Hotel
Rittenhouse Square (corner of 18th and Locust St.)
215-545-0300

NOTE: The dances at the Barclay have been discontinued.

/Ballroom/
** Blue Moon Dance Studio
319 E. Lancaster Avenue, Exton, PA 19341
610-363-8677

Located adjacent to the Exton Mall, Blue Moon Dance Studio offers Private Lessons, Group Classes and Special Seminars. There are dance parties every Saturday, 8 - 11 pm, with a mix of Smooth (Modern), Latin and Swing dances. Admission is $10 and includes refreshments. Both singles and couples are welcome. For more information contact Susan.Matyas@fortesystems.com.

Directions: From Route 100, travel East on Route 30. Go through two lights, and make a left into Exton East Shopping Center. Blue Moon Dance Studio is in the rear of the shopping center.

/Country/
** Bronko Bill's
2590 Grant Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19114
215-677-8700

/Ballroom/
** DeMarco Dance Studio
251 W DeKalb Pike (Route 202), Suite BG-300, King of Prussia, PA 19406
610-337-2180

Joan DeMarco, owner and manager of this studio, passed away under tragic circumstances in February 1998. The studio is permanently closed.

/Swing/
** Eighth Floor
800 North Delaware Ave. Phila.
215-922-1000

Friday swing dances. Also classes by Greg Avakian. Call to enquire.

/Ballroom/
** Fiesta Dance Club
St. John Chrysostom, 605 S. Providence, Wallingford
215-485-7274.

  • Second Saturday of each month: 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. $4; $3 members
  • Wednesdays: 8 to 11:00 p.m. $4; $3 members, includes group dance lesson.
  • /Swing/Latin/
    ** The Five Spot
    34 Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
    215-574-0070

    The Five Spot is a live music supper club/lounge and is located between 2nd and 3rd street just south of market on Bank street in Old City Philadelphia. Live music most nights ranges from Jazz to Swing to Latin. The small dance floor is linoleum, but the atmosphere is very good. There is a full bar and dinner menu. Many waitresses and bartenders dress vintage.

    Closed on Mondays. Jazz night on Tuesdays, beginner-level Swing lesson at 8pm. Wednesdays Swing dancing with live music, 9:30pm-1:00am, no cover charge, intermediate-level Swing lesson at 8pm. Thursdays are Latin Nights, with both DJ and live music, $5 cover charge, Latin dance lesson at 8pm. Fridays and Saturdays are usually a nightclub scene with non-dancers and rather crowded, $5 cover. Sundays swing dance lessons at 7pm, dancing 9pm-12am, $5 cover charge.

    /Swing/
    ** Fluid
    613 S. 4th St., Philadelphia, PA
    215-629-3686

    Located on 4th Street above "The Latest Dish". Entrance on side, no sign outside. Very nice blue wood dance floor. Last Tuesday of the month: Daddy-O cover $5, $3 with "Swank Attire." The DJ spins swing music with an occasional latin number from the swing era. He has a tendency to slip into 60's psychadelia once it gets late.

    /Swing/
    ** Greg Avakian's Swing Classes
    At Eighth Floor
    215-476-8287 (Greg Avakian)

    Greg Avakian teaches a variety of Swing and WCS classes in the area. He used to teach at Silver Rose in NJ before it closed. Later on he started teaching classes at Eighth Floor. Call to enquire. Greg is also reachable at SwingboyPA@aol.com.

    It has been reported that most Fridays, Greg sponsors (along with Bill Poulter) East and West Coast Swing dances at the B & R Full Health Club, located at 1040 Millcreek Dr Langhorne, PA 19053 Tel:215-355-2700. Dances are 7-10pm, mini-lesson 7-7:30, $8 admission.

    /Ballroom/
    ** The Jamison Dance Academy
    2701 Old York Road, Jamison PA, 18929
    215-343-1336

    Closure: It seems that Miriam Ellis the former owner of Jamison has sold the dance studio and the new owners have no plans to use the property for dancing.

    /Ballroom/
    ** Kimberton Ballroom
    Kimberton & Prizer Roads, Kimberton, PA 19442
    610-983-3886

    Note: Kimberton Dance Society that used to be at this location has gone out of business. However, there are some Saturday night dances ongoing in the same location under the name Kimberton Ballroom. Call to enquire.

    /Ballroom/
    ** Marie's Dance Center
    Easton
    610-258-6881

    Dances on first Saturdays of the month, but also other dates. Call for more information.

    /Ballroom/
    ** Medalist Dance Club
    Oxford Jewish Community Center, Algon and Unruh Aves.
    215-659-7783.

    First, third and fifth Monday of each month: 8 to 11 p.m. $4; $3 members, includes group dance lesson.

    /Latin/
    ** Mirage Nightclub

    Latin dancing every Friday night from 8pm to midnight to DJ music. Salsa, Mambo, Rumba, Cumbia, Cha-Cha, Merengue, Bolero and Tangos all night.

    /Ballroom/
    ** Lehigh Valley USABDA
    Allentown
    610-437-6884

    Dances on second Saturday and Fourth Thursday of the month. Socials feature 1 hour dance lessons before the dance. Live music, starting on 7:00pm on Thursdays and 7:30pm on Saturdays. Admission is $8. For more information, call Don Ritter, president of the chapter, at the number given above.

    /Ballroom/
    ** Mostly Waltz

    An event held on the fourth Sunday of the month in the Philadelphia area, featuring live music and a repertoire of 75% Walz music.

    /Ballroom/
    ** Paso Doble Ballroom
    4501 New Falls Rd, Levittown;
    215-547-2311

  • Fridays: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. $5.50. Live Music
  • Saturdays: 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. $8. Live Music.
  • /Swing/
    ** Philadelphia Swing Dance Society (PSDS)

    The Philadelphia Swing Dance Society sponsors swing dances on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month at the Commodore Barry Club located at Carpenter and Emlen Sts. in the West Mt. Airy section of Phila. Beginner's lesson begins at 7:30 and the dance begins at 8:15 PM. (Dates and location occasionally change. Call to verify.) The PSDS dances are great for beginners due to the lesson and the reinforcement of dancing swing all night with several partners.

    Contact: Jim Zacc (609) 953-9248.

    Directions (from Center City Phila.): Take 76 West (expressway) to the Lincoln Drive exit (just after Rte.1/City Ave exits heading west.) Use the center lane on the bridge for Lincoln Drive. The drive will wind and curve. Carpenter lane is approximately the 9th light. Turn right. The Commodore Barry ballroom is on Emlen St, the first Right after the RR bridge. Park and walk before that point. The ballroom is on the 2nd floor of the 2nd building on the left. There will be signs. {If you miss Carpenter, the next light on Lincoln Drive is Emlen. Turn right. Emlen does a "dog-leg" at Carpenter (left, go 50 yards then turn right.)}

    /Ballroom/
    ** Philly Tango Grapevine
    PO Box 466, Ambler, PA 19002
    215-628-3524

    Following information courtesy of Bill Sherman.
    For information about Argentine Tango events around Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley, call Jean Fung at (215)628-3524, fax (215)242-9625.

    Ongoing tango events are as follows:

    • Tuesdays 8:30-10:00pm Practice Milonga - Jean's Practica at Fortuna's Universal Dancesport Center (see Dancing in New Jersey ). this often runs past 10pm.
    • First four Fridays of each month the University City Arts League has a Milonga Dance from 8:30pm-11pm. $5.
    • Sundays Workshops at Narberth (Preregistration required, call (215)628-3524 to register). 7:30pm introduction to the basics, 8:30pm Advanced Beginner/Intermediate.

    /Ballroom/
    ** Quickstep, Inc.
    49 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore, PA 19003
    610-649-6655

    Formerly "Touch Dancing Studio". Dance social last Saturday of each month. $7 Admission.

    /Ballroom/
    ** Swing at B&R Health Club
    B&R Full Health & Fitnes Club, 1040 Mill Creek Drive, Feasterville, PA 19053
    215-355-2700

    Swing dances on most Fridays (see this web site for updated schedule). Dancing 7-11pm, admission price is $8 adults, $5 for ages 12-17 and also any students w/ valid student ID. The dancing is open to kids as young as 12, but 12-17 year-olds must be signed in by an adult.

    Features include 2 spacious rooms (one for East Coast Swing - capacity about 100 and one for West Coast Swing - capacity about 50-60) on impact-absorbing floors (easy on the knees and feet), complimentary refreshments, free parking, and occasional appearances by some of the biggest names in Swing, e.g. Robert Cordoba. A variety of music is available, and requests are welcome - bring your favorite CD's! Dancers of all levels are welcome.

    The organizer of these dances is Bill Poulter, who prefers to be contacted *not* at the health club, but rather at his own phone number directly at 609-393-6773 or pager at 609-615-1562.

    /Ballroom/
    ** Starlighters Corporation
    Tel: 302-798-6330

    Brian Wells runs a dance at Charles and Leslie's on the first two Saturays of the month. Comments are as above. A great place to go on a Saturday evening if you want to dance.

    /Swing/
    ** Saturday Club
    W Wayne Ave, Wayne, PA 19087
    610-688-9746

    Wednesdays starting Jan. 13 (formerly Thursdays). Main Line Swing 7pm-12am at the Saturday Club in Wayne, PA (easy directions from Rt. 476). All ages, beginner lessons from 7-7:45. Music provided by DJ Sound and Lighting. For more info, call 610-859-7621 or purevintage@nni.com

    /Swing/
    ** Sweet & Sour Silk
    5th & Spring Garden, Philadelphia, PA
    215-592-8838

    Formerly known as Silk City Lounge, this cocktail lounge has a small Small linoleum Dance floor. With occasional swing bands and DJ's. First Thursday of Every month: The Rat-Pack Cocktail Party DJ/Swing Dancing. No cover charge.

    /??/
    ** Tapestry Historic Dance Ensemble
    327 Kenmore Road, Havertown, PA 19083
    610-446-6356

    This dance venue is not exactly along the lines of others represented in this page, but is interesting enough to be worth noting.

    The Tapestry Dance Ensemble is a semi-professional troupe which researches and performs historic dances from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. In addition to weekly dance sessions, Tapestry is available for workshops and Historic period balls and assemblies. Classes are held every Thursday evening in Ardmore, PA (just west of Phila.). New and experienced dancers are welcome (no partners necessary).

    /Ballroom/
    ** Top Hat Dance Studio
    3114 Willtis Rd. Philadelphia, PA 19134
    215-676-3100

    Variety of group and private classes, including smooth, latin, West Coast Swing, and Hustle. The classes and dance parties are held on a 21x36 sq. ft. dance floor. Dance parties usually start at 8pm on Sundays, admission is free first time and $10 afterwards. However, call before you go, because sometimes the parties change to Sunday afternoons, or they go out dancing.

    /Ballroom/
    ** Touch Dancing Studio and Ballroom
    Has changed name to "Quickstep, Inc."

    /Ballroom/
    Tokyo Ballroom and Restaurant
    122 Lombard, Society Hill, Philadelphia, PA
    215-922-2515

    Fridays and Saturdays 9pm-12am, Sundays 8pm-11am. Beginner lesson 1 hour before dance. Admission is generally between $7 to $10.

    /Ballroom/
    ** Trocadero Ballroom
    2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
    215-542-6147.

    Dance parties every Sunday evening from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. $10.00 admission at the door, buffet supper and beverages included. Recorded music, strict tempos, smooth and latin, complementary dance lesson by Ken Kalowy mid evening. Many of the dancers (very mixed abilities) who used to frequent Dancing at the Warwick attend. Mixed ballroom and Argentine tango nights every so often.- call for schedule.

    /Ballroom/
    ** University City Arts League
    4226 Spruce Street
    215-382-7811

    The University City Arts League has ballroom, Latin and swing lessons given by instructor Kelly Ray. Twice a month he has dance parties with recorded music on oak hardwood floors. There is dancing in three rooms. One is a general mix of all dances, in another one can dance Swing/Lindy/WCS, and in the third Latin club dancing. There is a beginners lesson each Saturday 8:30-9:30pm. Admission for lesson and dance is $4 for current students and $5 for general public, refreshments included.

    Also Milongas (Argentine Tango) on the first four Fridays of each month, 8:30-11:30pm. Admission is $5, light refreshments included. Kelly and Lesley teach Argentine Tango at various levels, in private and group classes. The Arts League is at 4226 Spruce St. in the middle of the block across from a church parking lot. Contact: 215- 382-7811 (League office: 10-6 M-F) or any time 215-574-9555 (Kelly or Lesley)

    Directions: Take Route 76E from Center City or western suburbs to South Street exit. (Note: the exit is on the left.) Turn Right at the end of the exit ramp. At the five point intersection bear slightly left onto Spruce Street. Follow it to 4226 on the left across from the church parking lot.

    /Ballroom/
    ** University of Pennsylvania Ballroom Dance Society
    Upenn Campus

    The ballroom dance society at the University of Pennsylvania has a large number of classes and dance activities. All events are open to UPenn students, faculty, staff, as well as the general public. Although prices may be different for those not affiliated with UPenn.

    The big social events sponsored by this club are the Winter and Spring balls. They also participate in a number of collegiate competitions. See their web page for further details.

    /Ballroom/Country/
    ** Victory Fitness & Dance Center
    4350 Chestnut Street, Emmaus, PA 18049
    610-967-4897

    Studio owned by Lynn Kulik. Instruction in Ballroom, Country Western, etc. Social dance at the first Friday and Saturday of the month. Admission $2, refreshments provided. Lynn also teaches Ballroom and Latin in Northampton and Lehigh county community colleges.

    /Ballroom/
    Wayne Senior Center
    108 Station Road, Wayne, PA
    610-642-0206

    Dancing and dance instruction on the second and fourth Sunday of the month. Call for more information.

    /Swing/
    ** Yellow Jacket
    Radisson Hotel of Bucks County,
    2400 Old Lincoln Highway, Trevose, PA 19053.
    215-638-8300.

    Formerly known as Bumpers, it went through renovations and was renamed in early 1998. It used to offer Monday night Hustle events, but apparently no more....


    Other local information


    How to find the information you need?

    This page provides dance information in two main sections. The short list is a glossary of the places to dance locally, including addresses and phone numbers. This section should serve as a quick reference. If you already know where you want to go, and need the address or the phone number, this is the place to look. Because of its brevity, finding an item is often easier here.

    If you need more extensive information, then the long list will probably serve you better. This section contains comprehensive information on the times, locations, and prices of dance events. In many cases, directions and maps are also provided.

    To facilitate the finding of specific dance venues, dance types are grouped into the following classes:

    • /Ballroom/ American & International style Smooth and Latin, Argentine Tango
    • /Country/ Country & Western
    • /Latin/ Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia
    • /Swing/ East and West Coast Swing, Lindy, Jitterbug, Hustle
    Each category is denoted by a tag, appearing on the right side of the screen opposite the name of the establishment (for graphics capable browsers) or flush left before the name of the establishment (for text-only browsers). Note that the tags should not be taken literally; interpret them according to the above legend. For example, the /Latin/ tag refers to Salsa and Merengue, but not to Cha-Cha and Rumba, which are included in the /Ballroom/ description. Some items are described by more than one category. For example, some studios now offer Country Western as well as ballroom dancing, in which case they are marked with both tags.

    If you feel that the information you need is not represented here, please read the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) before contacting me.


    About this page:

    Standard Disclaimer: While I make every effort in ensuring validity and timeliness of the information in this page, I cannot be held responsible for any inconvenience that may result from the usage of this information.

    Thanks are due to Bill Sherman, Kishor Ganguly, John Pandjak, Bunny Williams, Mike Pandolfo, James Stasheff, S. Mitteldorf, Maureen Galie, Matt Cunniff, Brad Cope, Rick Schelberg, Jennifer Kirkwood, Linda Etzel, Jewel Kurland, Janice McDermot, David Talaga, Joan Anderson, Mike VanBuskirk, Tim Carr,Steve Armer for contributing information to this page.

    The material in this page constitutes no express or implied endorsements.


    Last modified 12 October 1999

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    Copyright (c) Aria Nosratinia 1997, 1998, 1999