In a Nutshell…
Every Friday, 9:15pm-12:30am
At 255 Gouger St, QuickSteps Studio
Entry: Free
For: Everyone!
Where can I dance Salsa and Bachata every week in Adelaide? At ‘Bailamos’ at QuickSteps Dance Club Studio every Friday night!
QuickSteps Dance Club Studio on Gouger Street runs a free (that’s right, FREE) weekly Salsa and Bachata night. It’s called Bailamos, which is Spanish for ‘We Dance’. Here’s a little write-up of what you can expect on the night.
A Free Salsa/Bachata Dance Class to Start.
We start the evening with a free beginner class so that if you bring friends along that have never danced before they’ll be able to get up and join in from day one! When you arrive for the free class make sure you head over to the bar and we will be able to show you around the studio and introduce you to the teacher. We have three teachers that teach this Latin class; Antonela, TJ and Bryx.
(This video shows Antonela and TJ dancing Salsa together at Bailamos)
All of our teachers are friendly, knowledgeable and have been dancing Salsa and Bachata for years (among other styles too!). At 9:15pm the teacher will lead you through to the Baker Ballroom where the class will begin. They have 20mins to teach you the basic step of Salsa and Bachata so you are ‘dance floor ready’! At the end of the class they will escort you back out into the main ballroom and bar where the party will be in full swing!
(Here is a video of Dj Da Luna and a couple dancing Bachata)
Bailamos is not just an opportunity to dance, it’s a celebration of the beginning of the weekend and Rhys (our bartender) is the king of getting the party started! On Fridays he will have the lights in the bar dimmed and the coloured party lights lighting up the D-Floor to set the mood. He’ll be serving all the regular beverages you need to stay hydrated as well as his weekly cocktails and shooter specials. He’s a very creative fella and he loves a chat so make sure you say hello!
Who’s choosing the music?
We have three resident DJ’s that attend Bailamos on a rotating roster so attendees always get freshness and variety in the songs they hear. DJ Eko, DJ La Luna and DJ Darren.
DJ Eko says it’s all about the energy she’s trying to bring to the floor when she plays.
“I love curating a mix of the newest tracks alongside crowd favorites to keep the energy fresh and exciting. I’m always on the lookout for newly released music, so there’s always something new to discover. Bachata holds a special place in my heart, and I’m particularly drawn to tracks that really make you want to get up and dance. The goal is to create a high-energy vibe where both seasoned dancers and newcomers can enjoy themselves, whether they’re grooving to the classics or feeling the pulse of the latest hits.”
Are there any other DJs in Adelaide that have been behind the decks for more than 20years? Probably not! But our DJ La Luna has, and he uses his incredible knowledge of songs new and old from near and far to give variety during his sets.
“I’ve been passionate about Latin music since I started dancing back in 1989 – salsa was my first love. These days, I enjoy mixing both salsa and bachata, keeping my sets fresh with the latest releases I discover through teacher forums, international congresses where I DJ, and my network of DJ friends across the globe. I love blending the classics with new beats, and most of all, I value the special requests from the dancefloor – they’re often the soul of the night!”
DJ Darren uses his extensive experience as a Latin dancer on the Adelaide scene to bring soul to his sets which are made up of local and international songs.
“With 16 years of Latin dance experience and 4 years behind the decks, DJ Darren brings a dancer’s soul and a DJ’s precision to every set. Specialising in sensual bachata and salsa, he crafts musical journeys that speak to the body and the heart. Darren travels regularly to major Latin festivals across Australia and Europe, staying ahead of global trends and curating the freshest sounds for his dance floors. Whether it’s an intimate social or a packed-out festival, DJ Darren delivers unforgettable vibes, seamless flow, and a deep connection to the music that dancers feel in every beat.”
Who attends our weekly Latin Night, Bailamos?
Salsa and Bachata dancers from all over South Australia gather at Balamos every week.
Some people have been learning at other studios, established Latin dancers that are no longer affiliated with any studio, Latinos that have moved to Adelaide, and, of course, many QuickSteps students.
Guests bring friends along to experience something new, and we often find we’re a hotspot for birthday celebrations! This is probably thanks to Rhys and the DJs who make everyone’s birthday a special occasion. There’s also a bit of a birthday tradition in the Salsa and Bachata community in Adelaide, and this is the ‘Birthday Dance’. During a Birthday Dance, the celebrated person will stand in the middle of a giant circle. The DJ plays a special birthday Bachata or Salsa of the person’s choosing. Once the song begins, someone from the circle will step in and dance with the birthday person for maybe 20 seconds before another person steps in and takes over. So in one song, the celebrated birthday guest will dance Salsa or Bachata with 10 or 15 different people! It’s something to see!
What is the QuickSteps Venue like?
We like to think it’s pretty special.
The bar is open throughout the event and is a warm and inviting space where you can sit and chat, lean on the bar, or meet up with friends. Perhaps you just need a space to rest your sore feet after you’ve been dancing a lot!
Our dance floor is one of the biggest in Adelaide and is purpose-built for ballroom and Latin dancing. This floor is what we refer to in the industry as a ‘sprung floor’, meaning it has tiny foam pads beneath it so that you never suffer the impact of the concrete below. It means that you can do all of your salsa shines and spins without hurting your knees, and you can Bachata for hours without feeling it in your knees or hips. You’re welcome.
At 12:25am we play the last song, the DJ says goodnight and we start to pack up the bar and collect the glasses. Our wonderful Salsa and Bachata dances start to say good night and wander off either to go home to bed or out to the next destination. We know salsa and bachata dancers like to party so it’s no surprise that many of them head off to places such as Mala Mia or Casablabla to continue dancing.
And with that we come to the end of another wonderful Friday night here at Quicksteps.
In closing, we’ve been running Bailamos for the last four years completely free, as our way of giving back to the Latin dance community in Adelaide. We’re proud to say that we have built a night that is welcoming, inviting, and a lot of fun. We’ve fought hard to keep entry free so that everyone can go along. Whether you’re experienced or brand new, join us every Friday night to dance, connect, and have fun!
