Best Dance Classes In London

Best Dance Classes In London

21 July, 2008
by: Ruthy

When most of us think of dance classes, we conjure up images of decrepit seniors prancing around a polished dance floor to the songs of yesteryear, with heads held high and backs as straight as their arthritis allows.

However, London is exploding with a variety of after work classes that are not only a perfect pick up point for singletons but help to improve your office stature with a robust, and more importantly, fun workout. As the saying goes, something for everyone, it's time to get off the couch mid-week and learn a few moves that could be handy for weddings, family reunions and drunken nights out.

Here's our pick of the best out there at the moment but check out the site for hundreds more choices:


Jive nation @ Sway
£8 (lesson) or £6 with NUS, £5 (entry)

Once a fixture at Tiger Tiger, Jive Nation has found a new home at Sway. A great one for beginners. Don't panic, it doesn't involve any leg slapping Danny Zuko style hand jives but it does require you to coordinate your hips and feet at the same time.

If you think you can cope with that, then there is absolutely no excuse not to give this fantastic introductory to dance a go because it is easy enough to get on with it but complex enough to be a great night out.

Click here for a fuller review...


Bollybelly kick: at Elephant and Castle Leisure Centre
£7 per class

Shaking your bum equals good times! Burn 370 calories in one hour with Bollywood and Egyptian style high energy dance moves.

Gym gear would be more useful to you than a belly dancing outfit but no one would mind if you turned up as Aladdin’s missus.

Click here for a fuller review


Breakdancing: at Pineapple Dance Studios
£5 for one hour

Calling all B.Boys and B.Girls, if breakdancing pushes your buttons then being taught by the 1st generation 1981 London B.Boys is probably akin to having R.E. lessons with Jesus!

The lessons are one hour of authentic New York Hip Hop street dances. Learn how to suicide, freeze, downrock and toprock with seasoned pros. Whether you choose beginners or intermediate, flexibility is a must.

Street talk not included.


Pole dancing: at Trafik
£140 for a six week course

Probably an improvement on the 'swing myself round a lamppost after a few shandies' routine you've all mastered and definitely sexier because you're less likely to have a kebab in the other hand. The calorific burnage value of pole dancing is immense somewhere between 300 and 500 per hour depending on impact.

Pole dancing, burlesque and can can are taught by professionals at Polestars in a relaxed and non sleazy environment.


Lambada: at Inn on the Green
£5 entry

So if you've watched a certain BBC dance competition, you will probably know more than you ever imagined you would, about ballroom dancing. You will also know that the Lambada is that saucy Latin back arching dance.

This class is for beginners so don't fret if you haven't quite finished sewing the sequins on your leotard just yet, no one will mind. If Lambada is not for you, there are also regular Tango classes at the Inn.

Ruthy