Ok so you have seen a few reviews that talk about alcohol... if your goal is to come and drink. This is not the venue for you. This is a BALLROOM studio, where you learn and practice ballroom dancing. Think of ballet studio or jazz or hip hop, you would not expect those studios to have alcohol. This studio is probably the best in the Bay Area for ballroom dancing. Excellent teachers and instructors. I have taken both beginner, intermediate, series, and bronze level classes. I have some dancing experience but my partner doesn't, so he is now able (after 4 classes) do the basic steps for Viennese Waltz. This studio hosts events, which is fun but again it won't have alcohol. This studio emphasizes on ALL levels and welcomes ALL. You can always ask the staff questions before attending a class to see which level you fit into. The area is safe but it is an urban area, so please stop putting 1 star reviews bc your stuff got stolen from your car. It's not relevant to this studio. It's not their responsibility ... stop being dramatic. I don't work for Allegro and don't get compensated in any way by them. I just find it annoying that people post 1 star reviews for the heck of it. This is an excellent place to learn ballroom dancing and compete. If you are new or advanced, you will find an appropriate level for you! read more

I am looking forward to taking more classes on Sundays! They offer bachata at 6:30 and salsa at 7:30 p.m. Excellent instructors who teaches the steps slowly with many opportunities to practice before partnering and rotating partners throughout the classtime. It used to be located in Emeryville but now they are located in Richmond next to a grocery store which feels much safer when parking. I went here with three friends and we all plan to keep coming back at least 1-2x a month when we can! read more

The floor is better than when they just opened that place. I recommend it. Easy parking, many dancing rooms.

Mr. Mathew Moody the instructor is a classy very helpful instructor. However, Ms. Nancy So is a terror for beginners. Beware, she is a really mean instructor. She is rude and likes to pick on beginners. Honestly, you can tell she is just a pattern dancer, maybe that is why she takes it out on others just trying to learn. No thanks, I prefer to keep my dignity than be subjected to her tango lessons. read more

It's a convenient venue located in Emeryville. We attended a Chinese New Year dance there in the main ballroom and the room is big enough to hold a dance, have refreshments and has a small stage. There were several activities such as a Chinese Lion Dance which was very colorful and exciting, as well as a woman playing the zither, a costume contest which had at least 20 contestants and took up way too much dance floor time and refreshments. There was minimum dancing which was disappointing because the program broke up the dancing into 10-15 minute increments and it lost the momentum for me. The bathrooms are located in a strange place and on the way to the bathroom, people were cooking and getting the refreshments ready. The dance floor itself is sloped and uneven in some areas so I felt like I was unbalanced and I had to be careful how I walked or stepped or I would trip. All in all we came for the company of our friends and the social aspect. read more

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What a fun place for dancing. Had such a great time here. Took me back thirty years in time.

SALSA Saturday party review. 3.5 stars. I didn't come for the lesson. Buy tickets online (see flyer photo I took for more info) for $10 tickets instead of the higher price at the door. Your name will be on a list at the counter when you get there and they put a wrist band on you. This is a dance studio and not a club so don't expect a bar with alcohol here. Party itself starts out with regular DJ salsa music while the live band sets up their stage. Some songs are Cha Cha. I love a live band when dancing salsa. Brings a better energy and feel in my opinion. FLOOR is wood and a good size for the salsa room. But there is a section where it slopes down near one of the pillars toward the edge. Smaller room on the other side of the dance studio with bachata playing. Main dance floor when you first walk in has a ballroom party going on. I have a ballroom Latin dance background so I am very familiar with the ballroom party setup. HUGE room because they have tables and chairs around the dance floor you can sit and watch and rest. Kitchen area in the back with chips and salsa and beverages. No alcohol. PEOPLE diverse. White, Latin, Asian, black. Ages more on the older side yes but I did see some young people here. Plus everyone here was young at heart. Hee Hee :). One older guy was dressed super fly I thought he was in his 20's from the back then he turned around. For example one guy I danced with was from Berkeley probably a student there so there are younger people here too but not many. DRESS I saw people dressed casual and some dressed up so it's up to you. Like one lady had a coral one piece jump suit that reminded me of the 70s. Wear what makes you feel fabulous. They don't enforce a dress code so they're not gonna turn you away at the door. OVERALL I am a fan because I grew up loving dancing salsa no matter if it's a studio atmosphere or club or restaurant. There is a good amount of people here and it's not only couples so you will have a chance to get out there and dance. The crowd is on the older side not that there's anything wrong with that, but just letting you know. Parking is a big lot but it fills fast because of the three dance floors going on. read more

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Been contemplating how to write an accurate review of this venue, I guess it's best to stick to the facts and compare with peers. I give 4 starts for location, but 2 for instruction and 2 for experience level of most dancers, yielding a 2.5. Allegro is apparently a musical term meaning fast, I just learned that :). Located in Emeryville off the 580. Great location, free parking, very spacious venue, great size dance floor. I've been here 5 times according to my Yelp check ins. Attended a class once, both Salsa & Bachata. A live band last Sat, and several Sunday night Salsa. The salsa lesson for the intermediate level was Zzzzz. I believe the reason was the instructors saw that the majority were beginners, so they toned down the class. I was not happy about that. If you plan on giving an intermediate level class than stick to the schedule. Same for Bachata. This place seems more catered to Timba music and seasoned dancers. I've struggled finding good salsa dancers here. I would get 1 good dance out of 6 what I consider getting my salsa fix for the night. So beware if you are intermediate or advanced level Salseros. Ultra casual is an understatement. Seen people in their sweats, loafers, lol, you name it. No bar for beverages just water. So overall, if you are bored Sunday night, you can literally roll out of bed and you maybe able to get your fix here.. read more

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It has been many years since I've attended a class at Allegro but I am glad to be back. My partner and I have attended 3 classes for west coast swing and found the instructors to have well laid out lesson plans that paced with the group well. They were easy to follow, vocal, and kind. We will definitely be back for more soon! read more

With so many great local places having closed during the pandemic, glad to see that Allegro is open again even with the new location. The classes, dancing and cover all comes at a great price of only $15-20 all inclusive! It wasn't super crowded on a Saturday night, which was especially nice with covid cases still around. Staff were friendly and the DJ was good as well! It was a salsa night but he even played some bachata, merengue and cumbias per our request in between the salsa sets. Only the main ballroom was open but the place looks pretty big as I saw a few more ballrooms in the back. Only small thing is I wish the bathroom was a bit upgraded or water was sold at the front but overall glad Allegros is open again and theres social dancing spots back in the East Bay, so I don't have to drive all the way to SF or SJ! read more

I love this place! I've been here plenty of times with my gf's for the Salsa & Bachata nights. The vibe is very open & social, and everyone who comes here is super friendly. The age range is very diverse too, from 20's-60's. They even have ballroom dance nights! The times I've came here so Salsa, I checked in around 7pm, and paid like a $10 fee. That covered the Salsa lessons, entry to the dance area, and even food! Yes that's right, they offer snacks while you're busy dancing, lol. I'm a super beginner, but I still found this place to be fun. And the "dance language" here is very simple. You want to dance, stand up and make yourself available. A guy will see you and ask for a dance . If you're tired & want a break, sit down & the guys will know you want to be left alone. I love this spot! read more

Looking for a nice safe place to get your dance, well, Allegro is the place for you. Plenty of well lit parking also. They used to be in Emeryville, but have moved to El Cerrito/Richmond, in the same building as Grocery Outlet. read more

Allegro - Allegro Dance Club - Dance Clubs Near Me - Richmond, California

Gayle and I attended a really enjoyable private birthday celebration at the Allegro Ballroom a few weeks ago. In preparation for writing this review, my Lovely Bride has warned me that I couldn't call this event a "Lesbian Dance Party", so I won't. :) What I can tell you is that the Ladies here could really dance, especially when it involved guest performances by a super talented ensemble called Tango Con*Fusión. Gayle and I had a chance to strut our stuff too, but I'm afraid a few future Ballroom lessons might be in order. The Allegro Ballroom itself is spacious, well maintained, and welcoming. We had our own "corner" for the Party and had a heck of a good time. The event was also catered by California Rose, which was a perfect compliment to this wonderful soiree. read more

Garry and Isabelle are two awesome dance instructors! Sunday nights are awesome here! $12 for non members and you get 2 lessons along with everyone else that shows up to class. Usually there's more women than males, so it is best to bring a dancing partner (your partner does not have to rotate). Great instructors! They explain everything so well and if you have a question they'll break it down where you'll get it quick! Side to side, front and back and cross-body, these are the things they teach. There's two big dance floors and Sunday nights is taught on the dance floor that is avail as soon as you walk in. At 7 Noe and Veronica teach the basic bachata steps in the back room. These two are awesome! Explain everything so well and you'll be dancing the in a matter of time. They all bring a positive vibe and enjoy what they do! You can tell dancing is a passion of theirs. The back room is small but more for private lessons. The cool thing is that people come here to dance, not to pick up on girls. So when a guy asks a girl out to dance she's willing to say yes. I haven't come across a time where a girl has denied a guy. Everybody is there to learn. The doors open to the general public at 9 pm and you'll see guys showing off their moves on the dance floors (you know they've been dancing for a while). The ones who attended the beginner and intermediate class are there to practice and get better. You have your regulars and I've gone more as of recent so you might find me there on Sunday nights. Practice makes perfect. Everyone here is friendly and people are willing to help and give you tips if you ask. Great vibe overall! If you want to dance the night away (Sunday night) and get your salsa on then this is the place to go! read more

Allegro - Bachata room - Dance Clubs Near Me - Richmond, California

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(See pics) Review #1333. When it comes to Salsa dancing, I learned most from Allegro Ballroom. It has 1 major room and a couple smaller rooms, each with different types of music. I came here on Sunday evening where you can learn how to salsa, then salsa your way into the night. Add some bachata to it while you spice up the evening. Allegro also offers other Latin dance moves such as tango, Rumba and cha cha, as well as other styles. They are even hosting a Chinese New Year event this year. They have a full schedule everyday that shows this is not just a place for fun, but for serious fun. You learn the steps very quickly as the instructors are humorous but are also very detailed and they articulate the steps with ample practice. After all, this is supposed to be very enjoyable. Dancing is an easy and exciting activity that after 6 hours and your feet tired, you leave with sweet sweat and if you do it a couple more times, you can lose all that extra weight. It's way more exhilarating than spending time running like a little mouse on the mill. read more

Allegro - day time when you are learning - Dance Clubs Near Me - Richmond, California

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(This review is specifically for the post-lesson salsa party on Sunday night.) It's all too easy to focus on the glass-half-emptiness of this place, which is that the music leaves much to be desired. To do so, however, would be unfortunate, since it's one of the most popular salsa venues in the Bay Area (and has been for a very long time), and since it has a refreshingly diverse, casual, all-accepting and laid-back vibe. For one thing, it's really the only salsa night in town where Cuban-style and LA/NY-style dancers are both represented in large numbers (though it might be an exaggeration to say that they mix freely). The reason I can't give it more than 3*, apart from the music, is that it's no longer a good place for advanced LA/NY-style dancers to go and expect to have a high-calibre night of dancing. Though it's close to home, I tend to come here no more than once a month now, and more to socialize than to dance. read more

Well, it's okay, I guess. Has its good points and its bad points. Location looks pretty spectacular - the first exit off the Bay Bridge. Takes a lot of left turns to get in there, though. Parking lot is good sized, but it gets crammed when the Allegro gets busy. Prices are normal, offerings are large. Nora D's Argentine Tango class and Sunday night salsa are renowned throughout the Bay Area. Run more as a co-op than an Arthur Murray dance studio; offers membership that lowers the price of the walk-in classes. Parties are okay. The crowd, you get a wide mixture. The times I've been, there have been pretty young thangs, elegant ladies, men of all ages, more Asians and Caucasians than anyone else. Many are nice and supportive, others have appointed themselves as volunteer teachers and practice their craft when you're dancing with them (not cool - and it seems there's comparatively more of them here than in other places). And if you want to end the night filling your stomach with friends, just walk across the parking lot to Denny's! Yeah, it's all right. read more

Review for salsa on Sunday ONLY. Friendliness: 5/5 -- This being a ballroom instead of a bar really helps with people being chill and not being skeezy. Skill: 4/5 -- Pretty all over the place but plenty o' good folks Music: 2/5 -- I hate to say it but I'm not a huge reggaeton fan, particularly when I want to salsa more. The romanitica is also not the best for me. (I guess I'm more of a fan of artists like La India or Marc Antony and less of Grupo Niche and whatevs.) Between this place, HSF, Cafe Cocomo, El V., and The Beat, the Bay Area salseros have their bases pretty much covered. I'd say this is *the* spot to go to if you're an East Bay social dancer... The Beat has excellent on2 and skilled troupey folks but the vibe is nowhere near as nice as it is here. read more

This is the best West Coast Swing dancing you can get for the month. This is California's State dance! Hosted by the Next Generation Swing Dance Club, http://www.tngsdc.org/ The dances draw over 300 dancers from across the bay area, from as far as Sacramento, Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz, all converging in Emeryville at the Allegro Ballroom the 1st Saturday of the month. You will see the best of the best WCSwing dancers from Northern California. These are some of the top competitive and social dancers. There are plenty of beginner and intermediate dancers too. There is a WCS beginning lesson at the dance at 7pm and each month it is a different WCS instructor and different WCS DJ spinning the tunes. The dance starts at 6pm til 9:30pm in the front/large ballroom then moves to the smaller ballroom after 9:30pm til 12 am. Ballroom dancing takes over the large ballroom at 9:30pm. If you like dancing to top 40's, Motown, Blues, R & B and jazz, you'll like West Coast Swing dancing. The dance can be smooth, sexy or funky, depending on the music, your style and who you are dancing with at the time. Plenty of eateries nearby, including Denny's, in the same parking lot and hotels for out of towners. A food court at the Emeryville Marketplace a mile down the road. read more

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The Venue: I went on a SUNDAY night and the cover charge was $8, very reasonable in my opinion! It is a specious studio with big wall mirrors, and great wood floors. They also provide free water. there's plenty of seating area for people to rest for a couple of songs. it does get a little hot though; I don't remember them having a big fan so you could cool off, like in most salsa dancing places. They have one big room for SALSA, and two smaller rooms for BACHATA and KIZOMBA. The restrooms are clean and they even have some goodies in there, body spray, hand lotion and mouth wash in the ladies room. I loved those little details. There's no bar, for those who like to have a drink while dancing. The Classes: Sorry but i have not attended any of the classes. The atmosphere: There's NO BAR, for those who like to have a drink while dancing. The age range is between 40-50 years old or something like that. NOT A YOUNG CROWD! I still had a lot of fun, but the place seems like it is more BEGINNER FRIENDLY. read more

I would give this place five stars except for the fact that it is not a bar. I sound like a lush, but given the fact that it is really akward if you are dancing in there with a stranger who doesn't have a good excuse for dancing like an idiot, you'll understand. Ballroom in front for the real dancers..and the instruction rooms in the back for those in the "two-left feet crew" provide an (don't embarrass yourself) experience you won't soon forget. Sunday's are the best nights to go, usually a solid crowd. Bring your ChaChing, (cause it aint free) and be of age and everything will turn up roses..See you there! read more

Third Saturday Bachata night review. Apparently, someone new has taken over this arrangement. The Bachata room is now for Zouk. Bachata and Salsa share a DJ during in one of the main rooms. Positive: DJ instead of live music. Therefore there was no more ten minute songs or long winded musicians to hear speak between songs. Negative: The DJ's music selection was awful for both salsa and bachata. Last night, there was a nice sized crowd. I don't think it's going to continue. People aren't happy with the changes. Sunday night Bachata- I love that the dancers are friendly to everyone, the music and it's fun. read more

Sat nite $15 for two salsa dance lessons plus open dancing with live band after. Place is pretty big. Two large dance floor rooms and two smaller dance rooms. They have water for you but its not a dance club, its a dance studio so no bar alcohol drinks here. They did offer chips and salsa free to snack on too but not very tasty. Glad I checked it out. Had fun with friends. But I think once is enough. I would only go with a big group of friends. More fun that way otherwise it would feel too pickup bar like. Decor could use an update. Plus I dont go over to Emeryville much so I dont think I would make a special trip to go. read more

Every dance you can imagine is taught here. Great place to practice for hours on end- fees are incredibly low. Great, friendly vibe. read more

So excited we found this spot since moving to the area. Great teachers that are passionate and fun. Good variety of music throughout the different rooms makes for a perfect night out dancing :) also free parking read more

Came here for a bday party that my neighbor invited me too. It was described as a place where you can take some dance lessons and then put it to use after for a late night dance party. This is literally what it was. Me and my bf took 3 lessons and then enjoyed their live salsa band dance party after to put our new skills to the test. I think we paid about $10 each at the door. They had a great salsa band there and the ambience was really laid back and non-judgmental. So if you're a beginner and want to learn how to become more confident on the dance floor then this is definitely the place for you. We had a blast and will do it again soon in the near future. There are tables where you can sit to take a break and recharge for the next dance. I would suggest bringing some water as well. If you are looking for a club environment this is not the place. This is a really casual place to learn and dance. read more

Allegro - Dance Clubs Near Me - Richmond, California

Allegro saved me from being a "City Snob." I live in SF, work in SF, and have lots of yumminess and fun right outside my doorstep. Also, I ain't gonna lie, I am one lazy mofo. All the ingredients for Insta-City-Snobbery. Thank god for my salsa friends and instructors who encouraged me to check out Allegro Ballroom. I would gladly cross bridges and tunnels to get here! The instructors for Sunday's salsa lessons were great. I caught the end of the beginner class and all of the intermediate class ($12). The class was WAY too large for my taste (maybe 60 people?) but the space was large enough to accommodate. And after the lessons - Salsa Party Time! Like my beloved Cafe Cocomo, the crowd here is friendly and diverse. Cafe Cocomo is the place to go for the live-band-&-dress-to-kill-&-show-off-yo'-salsa-moves thing. But the learn-and-improve-your-salsa-game thing is hot too and Allegro is definitely the place to do it. I got some great tips from fellow dancers and had tons o' fun. Who knew Emeryville was so happenin'? (IKEA doesn't count). read more

Moving to the Bay Area would SO be worth it, if only for places like this on a Sunday night. Wow. As I pulled into the parking lot, I knew I was at a serious salsa place. I mean, you had a parking lot filling up fast, people dressed to the nines, and people who just oozed dancing skills by the way they looked and strutted in the parking lot. Needless to say, I was practically cowering in my vehicle as I watched this from inside my rental. Fuck it. I went in. Oh man, it was everything I envisioned, but way more. The place is HUGE. As soon as you open the door you are on the dance floor (well, you're at the place to pay first, and then you're on the dance floor). The dance floor was hanger-like, BUT it was super-packed. I quickly walked away from the entry (after I wiped slobber on my sleeve)---I didn't want to be caught gawking like a rookie! So, I did my usual: I scoped the joint and checked out every nook & crannie (like what I do at any new bar...or strip club). There were a couple of other dancing rooms; in one people were practicing, and the other was an honest to goodness bachata-only room! Whoa. Back to the salsa room. I had fun just watching all the dancers. You had every skill level on the floor. There were lots of people watching, it looked like the ratio was fairly even, so if you were in want of a partner, you could probably find one. When all is said and done, I only watched. Not one foot was stepped, or a hip sexily strutted. That's ok, I still liked the joint! I see it in my future again. read more

Sunday nights at Allegro offer early beginning and intermediate salsa group classes (at 6pm and 7pm) followed by social dancing from 8pm-1am (with DJs playing salsa and timba playing in one room and bachata and merengue in another). Cost is $8 for just dancing or $12 to include either or both lessons before. Parking is free. Water is provided at no cost. Allegro's THIRD Saturdays of each month offer salsa, bachata, and kizomba dancing (with live bands, dance performances,) and group lessons (8pm bachata, 8:45pm salsa, and 9:30pm kizomba/semba). Friday nights offer weekly ballroom dancing, Argentine Tango Milongas (every other week), and (monthly?) bachata parties and/or festivals.Check their website calendar for details. read more

I guess alot of people don't know this....Nor should you care but, I'm a terrible dancer. When it comes to "hip-hop" and "you-tube" dancing I'm decent, I can pick up on dance moves and techniques fairly easy, Just as the "Harlem Shake" and the "Harlem Shake" and other random dances which encourage me to make a fool out of myself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vJiSSAMNWw When It comes to "Latin dancing" itself, I plead the fifth, I guess it depends on my partner. Anyways, "Allegros" has always been a dwelling place for newbies and pros alike, in which they always put together a good show. Come on Sunday evenings they offer a very helpful class to give you the basics on dancing. Be it "Rumba", "Salsa", "Raggaeton" There are many rooms to this place which make it fairly enjoyable. If you go on a Sunday night you in for a treat, they offer free dance lessons with a little bit more of a charge. If your a attractive lady, or even if your not... Sitting in the chairs not wanting to dance is a sure way, to be approached by a excited know at all dancing master(at least in his eyes). Lol. the place cracks me up because it's a social "meet-market" or "meat-market" for the young and old alike, basically, professionals, avid dancers, and "creeps" frequently visit this place. I think I like people watch more than dancing itself, at times. If the place had a "vending machine" or a "bar" things might get a little "sticky" so I leave that interpretation to your own devices. The environment is strictly for dancing. Although....I've seen others try to do other things. Oh My! *shakes head* read more

Why have I been searching for salsa lessons all up and through SF when there is something in my backyard???? My friend has been saying she's been going salsa lessons for months. No way did I think it was like this until I finally decided to get out the house on a Sunday night. $8 to get in and boy was I happy I went :) This place was totally not what I had dreamt of in my head. Yea there were a lot of older folks there and with everyone dancing all around you it can seem pretty intimating but you get the hang of it and learn to love it. As one gentlemen said to me while asking me to dance, you can't learn unless you get up and do it :) read more

This is a fine place for ballroom and Salsa dance. I do enjoy this place. I notice more Salsa and Bachata were added lately. This is great news. For music loudness level, it is unfortunately true that you will lose hearing permanently after way too many fun dance parties. As a previous Industrial Safety Engineer, I strongly recommend you buy a few pairs of ear plugs (not the temporary orange ones.) from Home Depot tool department or other similar stores. They come with a wire that can be cut off to fit your ears and no one can see them. Look for the noise reduction to 25 dB. Every 6 dB reduce half the energy, you got 1/16 of the music and 15/16 (90+%) protection . You can still hear music clearly, trust me! Because your skull is vibrating by the acoustic energy. Have fun and protect your precious hearing ! read more

I have a hard time dancing in couples. I am a one-woman show and a control-freak...you want me to...{gulp}...SUBMIT... to a man!?!? Here I was, strutting into this club as if I knew what I was doing, cuz gosh darnit I've danced to salsa music a gazillion times before...um...BY MYSELF, and WHAM, I get asked to dance by a few unsuspecting guys. I tried to warn them: "um, I've never done this with anyone else before, I'll need your help," and they just smiled all cute with disbelief as they whipped me out to the dance floor. Slowly their smiles turned to looks of horror when they realized I wasn't kidding. At any rate, even though I wasn't the prettiest or the skinniest, and certainly not the most skilled, I didn't feel judged. In fact, I was my own worst critic. I definitely plan on going back here, but first I need a few lessons... read more

Hot, hot, HOT! The dancing, the dresses, the decor, and the deal were all smokin'. My roommate suggested we come last night for a Cinco de Mayo salsa dance and, despite having been out salsa dancing the night before, I agreed. (Today my hips are reminding me that I overdid it a bit.) The ballroom is only a couple blocks off I-80 at the Powell St./Emeryville exit, so very convenient. The deal was great--$12 for lessons and dancing. The beginner lesson was 6:15-7:15, followed by either a review or an intermediate/advanced lesson until about 8:30. Then the dance runs until at least midnight. Can't say I was too impressed with the lesson, however. They moved really fast and tended to skip over steps in the directions; also, the instructors keep including fancy flair moves into their demonstrations of how to do stuff. That's just distracting! Decor was nice, with streamers and dark red lights creating a sultry, nightclub atmosphere without the hook-up pressure or drunken idiots. Dresses were very hot, by and large. The ladies were dressed for show (and some were showing quite a lot) with high heels and flaring skirts. There was certainly a range from summery to classy to downright sexy. Vivre la difference! And of course, hot, hot dancing! Most of the beginners clear out by about 9pm, since 3 hours of dance is enough for most folks. So by that time it's mostly intermediate and advanced dancers who came after the lessons. Most were patient and willing to dance with a beginner at least once, and I certainly had a great time just watching them play and work each other over. Sunday nights are salsa nights, with other ballroom styles throughout the week. Group and private lessons for kids and adults are available. All in all, a good night and a fun, inexpensive way to celebrate the holiday. Trivia: "Allegro" is a musical tempo meaning "fast and bright" or a "march tempo". It's characterized by 120-168 beats per minute. Dancing at that pace is sure to be a good workout! (And my hips will attest to that fact.) read more

Saturday evening, I attended an event hosted by The Next Generation Swing Dance Club at The Allegro Ballroom in Emeryville, CA and my vehicle was broken into in the parking lot. My purse with all my belongings was stolen - I won't even get into the value of it all. It has been a complete nightmare contacting all the credit institutions, banks, police departments, DMV, insurance companies, etc. trying to protect my assets, identity, and family as much as possible - I'm sure you can imagine the headache. What has really frustrated me, however, was finding out that there was absolutely no security at the event. Like I previously mentioned, I have attended many events all over the country, and there is always some sort of measure in place to protect against any danger or crime, so honestly I was shocked to find out that there was none. I also learned from the Emeryville PD that there are reports of vehicular break-ins at the the Allegro Ballroom parking lot on a nightly basis. NIGHTLY. As in EVERY NIGHT. I want to ask you to put yourselves in my shoes - if you learned that a place you were invited to & paid money to attend had a history of burglary yet no preemptive steps were taken in order to protect you against that crime, how would you feel? Wouldn't you expect those hosts to have security measures in place? I am honestly appalled by the lack of concern for your patrons safety and security and would highly recommend you adjust your operations to include surveillance, a guard of sorts, or any security protocol to provide a little peace of mind and safety to your guests in the future. read more

Best Salsa Sundays anywhere in the Bay Area ! I am reviewing only their Salsa nights...although I hear that the tango lessons here are also worthwhile. Being a ballroom, as opposed to a club, it's nice to dance at a place where folks aren't anywhere from buzzed to blasted (although personally, a Margarita in me usually increases my bravery to ask ladies to dance...). Also, one of the few venues an underage person can learn how to salsa. The best thing about Allegro: ~ the teahcers....flat out, if you wanna learn to Salsa and cannot afford private lessons, go here ! Gary and Isabelle on Sundays are the BEST group teachers anywhere in the Bay Area. They connect with the crowd, are genuine and warm people, and really teach the moves clearly and very well. One of the FEW group salsa lessons where the woman teacher/partner actually gets to (gasp) SPEAK !!!! (What the hell's up with that anyway ?) These two have a great system developed...start with the footwork...then get into the entire move. Very personable...they stick around and invite you to ask them for one-on-one help throughout the evening. And Isabelle's outfits, alone ...not to mention her occasional unintentional double entendres and freudian slips.... are worth the price of admission right there.... Sundays beginner lessons are at like 6:30, intermediate at 7:30 then it's a dance party from 8:30 'til 1 usually. A very well-attended venue. As the night progresses, beginners tend to filter out and hardcore dancers tend to filter in. However, all in all, the people here do not have attitude...it's a very safe and inviting place to dance...the crowd is diverse in all meanings of the word....age, skill level, culture/race, you name it..... Dancefloor is huge, plenty of seating, free water/tea/coffee...nice place. Only drawback is...on Thursdays...which is a way, way, way smaller salsa night (sometimes leaning towards "not happenin' ")...Allegro double-charges you, basically. They charge for each group class separately (if you come for beginners and wanna stay for intermediate, you have to pay both for beginner and intermediate) while on Sundays, if you pay for one or the other lesson, you are in for the entire night..... read more

Directions Come Sundays. Walk through door Show them your 2 left feet. Pay money Listen to music beat Take the dance class from the instructor Pick a partner, Dance Dance till one of your left feet turns right Partner will pick you - maybe ask you for a date or visa versa Dance with one left foot and one right foot Smile Head home. Plan on coming next Sunday read more

I went to Allegro for the first time tonight, since my regular salsa spot was hosting an outside event. Here's a semi-organized list of impressions: Parking lot was already pretty full when I arrived around 8:15. I managed to squeeze into a spot encroached upon by careless parkers on both sides (hooray for my little car). The lady at the counter literally said not one word to me--the cover fee was on a written sign, I paid it, and she silently slid a ticket across the counter. Odd, but whatever. Lots of places to stash my purse and water bottle on/under the benches around the edge. First person asked me to dance within about 30 seconds of putting my stuff away, and four others asked as I made a circuit of the room, exploring. A mix of styles and abilities among the men I danced with, who were all friendly and respectful. There were a rather surprising number who were difficult to follow, either inconsistently on/off the beat or vague in their gestures. That being said, I didn't feel there were many real beginners. I found a few guys who were great leaders and spent most of the time dancing with them. The floor, though large, started full and became truly crowded as the evening went on. Not everyone was nice about the inevitable collisions, either. However, the quality of dancing definitely went up as it got later and most people were spatially conscious enough to stay in their slot. IT WAS SOOOOO HOT. This led to some gross, awkward dances with men whose shirts were absolutely soaked through with sweat. Ugh. Ceiling fans were on, slowly, to no effect whatsoever. Not my favorite venue but definitely worth a return visit. read more

This is a review of Kelly Buckwalter-Casanova's Sunday night West Coast Swing beginner class (held every 2nd Sunday of the month- regular time on Thursday nights starting at 6:30p). I'm familiar with Allegro - having once been a 4x a week salsera and Sunday night at Allegro is where all the "serious" dancers go. I was a little worried at first because when class started the group was 99% women (I even checked with the front desk if I could switch over to salsa if there weren't enough leaders for swing - the answer: not without paying for the salsa class as well). We introduced ourselves to Kelly - she likes knowing people's names - it was a small group of 13 and she magically found some followers to dance as leaders. In one hour, we covered the sugar push, the pass through, the inside turn and the whip. Swing is 6 counts and Salsa 8 counts. When I had a good leader (dancing with Kelly) , I felt my steps were effortless. When I was paired with a weaker leader (or person with a very light lead), I had to think more about my steps. Kelly is a terrific instructor. She has a great sense of humor and explains not only basic steps but common mistakes for both leader and follower. I always chuckled when she would do a demo and then preface practice time with "OK, it's time to fake it!!" The crowd is a little older than the salsa crowd. I don't think I elevated my heart rate when I danced post lesson. (When I dance salsa with a partner who likes to twirl me, I start sweating as if I am in a bikram yoga class.) The guy who asked me to dance for couple songs post lesson had been dancing for 20 years and proceeded to try to teach me how to dance. He would stop every few minutes and tell me, "you're doing this wrong." I kept smiling, though, because I believe in being a pleasant follower. After we stopped dancing, I told him I was accustomed to dancing salsa. He then asked me for my phone number in case he wanted to get back into dancing salsa (not swing). I smiled sweetly and said I was sure I'd see him around. Bathrooms: clean, though people tend to throw hand towels on the floor Parking: plentiful especially if you arrive early I really liked Kelly who is a 2 time US Open Swing Dancing champion. She has a low pressure but detailed style of teaching. Perhaps I'll check out one of her Thursday night classes that will hopefully have more people. I do enjoy learning new things but it makes me appreciate the years I have spent dancing salsa - like a familiar old friend. read more

I would love to give Allegro 5-Stars since it has great dance instructors, friendly patrons and a wonderful dance floor. I visit here on a regular basis and really enjoy the spacious room and incredible dance floor. So you may ask why not 5-Stars....well, if you're into Salsa and rely on the DJ to get you grooving, then here's where the rub comes in..... At first I thought is was just me...but I have heard many of the dancers complain about the music. Nothing more frustrating than being on the dancer floor with a lovely dance partner and have lackluster music playing. I often find myself daydreaming while on the floor wishing I could be inspired by the DJ. However, the music selection on many occasions clears the dance floor as other are less than inspired. Most DJs seem to have a good sense of what moves the crowd, but here, it seems the DJs are in their own world. Many patrons leave early in frustration and yet the DJ appears to be oblivious to what's going on. With that being said, coming to Allegro still beats some of the other places due to the large dance floor and civility of the dancers....Just wish the DJs would step their game up... read more