Ready to test out your dancing skills? Here are the best places to dance in Chicago where you can practice your partner dancing from salsa dancing all to the way to swing dancing! So grab your dancing shoes and get movin’ and groovin’!
210 Live! – Perfect for Swing Dancing
This is such a fantastic place for not only the food and entertainment, but also swing dancing! 210 Live is the North Shore’s premier live entertainment and dining destination located in Highwood IL. Originally built as a bowling alley, the first in Lake County, the historic space now presents live music five nights a week featuring some of the best musicians in the region and from around the world. We especially love: Rick Lindy and the Wild Ones, Rosie & the Rivets: 1950’s & 60’s, Flat Cats. Check out the schedule for different events and bands
What: Live music ranging from swing bands, salsa bands, to 50& 60 or disco.
When: Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday night.
What to dance: swing dancing, salsa dancing, merengue, cha cha, rumba, and hustle.
Website: 210 Live!
GREEN MILL
If you are a history lover this is the place for you! An authentic Chicago speakeasy and a favorite of Al Capone! It is hard to not feel like you have been transported decades back in time. Another thing I adore about this Chicago gem is that on Tuesdays and Thursdays they host big bands and ragtime music –the perfect opportunity for some swing dancing and perhaps some foxtrot! If big band and ragtime music is not your thing, fret not since they have live music every day of the week! Cover charge is usually about $8.
What: Live jazz and big band music. Perfect for swing dancing.
When: Tuesdays from 9 PM to 1 AM, Thursdays from 9 PM to 1 AM
What do dance: swing dancing and foxtrot.
Website: GREEN MILL
CUBBY BEAR- Salsa, Salsa & Salsa Dncing
You might not know it, but everyone’s favorite Wrigleyville bar has some extra spice on Sunday for their salsa nights! Things really heat up with excellent DJs and a great crowd! Cover is usually about $10 and you’ll find a great mix of Latin music and dancing.
What: Live Latin music. 
When: Sundays at 9 PM
What to dance: salsa dancing, bachata, merengue, and cha cha.
Website: CUBBY BEAR
ALHAMBRA PALACE
If you’re looking for salsa dancing, live music, and some fantastic people watching, Alhambra Palace is the place for you! Salsa dancers come from all over the Midwest to dance here on Tuesday nights. There is also Argentine Tango every Sunday night as well as a live swing band (The Flat Cats) and dancing on the last Wednesday of every month. Salsa dancing, delicious food, fantastic people watching. What more could you ask for? Check out their calendar for more details!
What: DJ and live bands who play Latin music, swing music, Argentine Tango
When: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays.
- Latin Music:Tuesdays from 7 PM to 2 AM (except 1st Tuesday of the month)
- Swing Music: Wednesdays from 8 PM to 12 AM
- Argentine Tango: Sundays 7 PM to 12AM
What to dance: salsa dancing, bachata, merengue, cha cha, swing dancing, and tango.
Website: ALHAMBRA PALACE
PALM COURT AT THE DRAKE HOTEL – Swing Dancing!
The Drake hotel is a gorgeous Chicago landmark that everyone should explore at least once. The Palm 
Court is located to the left of the main lobby. You can enjoy the flavorful food and delightful drinks! Oh, did I forget to mention Palm Court has jaw-dropping fountain you can enjoy while you dine and dance the night away? There is no cover charge for Palm Court. Check out their entertainment calendar for swing and jazz band.
When: Fridays and Saturdays from 9 PM to 12:30 AM
What: Live jazz and swing bands.
What to dance: swing dancing, salsa dancing, and some other fun ballroom/Latin styles.
Website: PALM COURT AT THE DRAKE HOTEL
TRANSIT NIGHTCLUB (AKA THE MINE MUSIC HALL)
The Transit Nightclub plays all kinds of Latin and club music. What I really love about Transit Nightclub is how there are three different rooms with three very distinct yet amazing environments.
Check out their Facebook page for special events and cover charges.
What: DJ performances and live music.
When: Most Fridays, Saturdays and Holidays. Check online calendar for events.
What to dance: salsa dancing, bachata, reggaeton, cumbia, corrido, and other Latin styles of dance.
Website: TRANSIT NIGHTCLUB (AKA THE MINE MUSIC HALL)
HAVANA- Salsa Dancing all Night Long
While I do love my ballroom and Latin dancing, the décor and drinks of Havana are something I also get pretty excited about! Their 1940 art deco interior, mojitos and live music will help you dance the night away. Havana is located in River North and they host live music twice a week: Fridays and Saturdays. The bands on Saturdays are highly recommended by the Havana staff. Every so often they 
have a Caipirinha tasting event with live music and dancing, so keep an eye on their Facebook page.
What: Live Latin music.
When: Saturdays 11:30PM to 3AM, and a future addition of Cepillao on Fridays!
What do dance: salsa dancing, bachata, and merengue.
Website: HAVANA
EMPTY BOTTLE
While the Empty Bottle may not be as eye-catching as other restaurants and clubs you may have been too, it has been a local hotspot since the early nineties. A few things that the patrons love about the Empty Bottle is the variety of live music that is played throughout the week; and maybe the cheap
drinks. Keep an eye on their calendar, check out their Facebook page or subscribe to their newsletter for updates on bands coming through.
When: Live bands nearly every night of the week.
What: Various live bands from country all the way to swing.
What to dance: country two step, swing dancing (single swing or smooth swing),
Website: EMPTY BOTTLE
FIREWATER SALOON
If you have a love for country music and your boots are gathering dust, it’s all the more reason you have to check out Firewater Saloon located in Edison Park. They have live country music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and have a line dancing night on Mondays. Staff highly recommend going with a group of friends to the line dancing on Monday nights. Throw on your boots and get country y’all!
What: Live music and line dancing.
When: Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Check out their calendar for more details.
- Line dancing: Mondays 7PM to 10PM,
- Live music: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
What do dance: swing dancing, line dancing.
Website: FIREWATER SALOON
The PIAZZA
The PIAZZA is a 35,000 square foot warehouse-style venue located in Aurora, IL (Just 30 minutes outside Chicago). The PIAZZA specializes in sports, live music and private parties. The live music events feature numerous artists from all sorts of genres. Plus, with the PIAZZA being such a spacious place, there is a ton of room to dance the night away!
What: Live music by various artists.
When: Check out their About page and Calendar for more details!
What to dance: Salsa dance and bachata
Website: The PIAZZA