Nina R.
Yelp
Pre-pandemic: The former Salsa Room on Columbia Pike in Arlington was more authentic. Well, I mean back in the day. I was raised in Arlington so I watched the Salsa Room evolve over time from fun and casual to a too stuffy for my liking, then it closed and re-opened in Tysons/McLean area.
Post-pandemic: The current Salsa Room in Tysons/McLean took over the former Palladium nightclub. Palladium was garbage back in the day for so many reasons, like oh, I don't dont know... maybe the prostitutes, the creepy men lurking, and the cugars!! And here we are today...Salsa Room meets the Palladium. Salsa Room and Palladium joint ownership...
I've been here 4 times since they moved to Tysons and I am alwasy left with a very underwhelmed....ehhh feeling.
What I noticed, there are a lot of guys just standing around, watching, looking, on their cell phones, not dancing or don't know how to dance. The old Salsa Room, the guys would ask you to dance constantly, like til your feet were tired. I just don't see that here. The old Palladium men watched the prostitute women and they did not dance. So here we are with a very weird mash-up.
The vibe here is odd. You have a lot of beginners that want to learn bachata, salsa, then you have men just standing and staring, not dancing, ladies out on girls night dancing with themselves in big circles, and people that truly want to dance. The vibes are off.
The other things which are troublesome, you have to pay to sit. The tables and chairs are reserved only. So you dance a few songs and you have to stand or pay to sit. Also, the water is like $5 a bottle. That's criminal. They should have a big gatorade cooler so you can drink ice water after dancing a few songs. Salsa is turns, twists, a lot of footwork, movement, it's a workout. So it would be nice to get a cup of ice water after dancing a few songs. Most places that have couple dancing also offer complimentary water and open sitting. Not a bad principle at all!
The former Salsa Room I would give 4 stars. Since they moved, it's different, only 1-2 stars. I've been here on different nights and something is just off. I think it's great if someone is new and coming for a few lessons. They definitely cater to beginners. That's about it.
Do not recommend.