ages: 21+
El Valenciano
Overview:
El Valenciano Latin Wednesdays is a weekly salsa social hosted by the Mambo Romero Dance Company in San Francisco, featuring salsa lessons On2 and dancing until 2 in the morning.Details:
| Event: | Lessons,Social Dancing | |
| Date: | Every Wednesday | |
| Time: | 9pm Lesson, Dancing until 2 AM | |
| Cost: | $12 | |
| Instructors: | Gabriel Romero, Victoria Ruskovoloshina | |
| Address: | El Valenciano Restaurant & Bar 1153 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA Get Directions via Google Maps  |
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| Contact: | (415) 826-9561 www.mamboromero.com |
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Our Review:
Takeshi says:
Rating:
El Valenciano (aka El V) is one of the best places to go dancing if you're a serious dancer. Hosted by Gabriel Romero and his Mambo Romero Dance Company, the event attracts the best salsa dancers in the Bay Area to the El Valenciano Restaurant & Bar in San Francisco every Wednesday.
The dance floor is relatively small, but most of the dancers that attend the event are pretty skilled, so bumping into people is rarely a problem. There are very few regular events that you can attend that has such good dancing, especially if you dance On2, and the music by DJ Hong is great to dance to. If I didn't live all the way in San Jose, I'd attend every week.
The dance floor is relatively small, but most of the dancers that attend the event are pretty skilled, so bumping into people is rarely a problem. There are very few regular events that you can attend that has such good dancing, especially if you dance On2, and the music by DJ Hong is great to dance to. If I didn't live all the way in San Jose, I'd attend every week.
Max says:
Rating:
El V is a true dancer's social and short of hopping on a plane to New York it's about as close as you can get to a real mambo club here in the Bay. The music is strictly mambo and salsa dura, while the low lighting and relaxed bar lend this venue a very underground vibe.
5 people found this review helpful
Love love LOVE El V on Wednesdays! :-) The dancing is so good that I find myself preferring to sit and watch other people dance! The level of dancing is THAT good! But don’t be intimidated by the high level of dancing, Gabriel and Victoria teach a very basic class that will get you dancing in no time. It’s actually my favorite class… and experienced dancers enjoy taking the class as well. If you feel it is too clique then just break the ice and ask someone to dance! You’d be surprised how kind everyone is there and encouraging they are to beginner dancers. This truly is the best social with the best music and best dancing in SF! :-D Oh and they fixed the floor so disregard the above posts. :-)
4 people found this review helpful
Quickly overtook GlasKat as the #1 on2 social in the Bay. This is as close to NY as it gets although people from NY will know that the dancing is not anywhere near NY’s. Still a lot of fun especially later in the night when the beginning dancers leave and you don’t have to worry about people bumping into you. Once a very tight dance floor, the floor was recently expanded and renovated. The only complaint is that there is a noticeable gap between what used to be the new floor and what is now the expanded floor and you cannot dance on it without it causing some kind of disturbance to your dancing. Otherwise, it’s a fun place, with overall good quality dancers, although some I think may be better than they think they are and so some people complain that the crowd is somewhat clique-y and dancers from one dance group won”t dance with dancers from another dance group. I kind of see that but I have fun anyway. Also, sometimes way too much jazzy salsa is played and not enough gritty NY stuff. Followers have noted that the lighting may be a little too on the dark side so sometimes it’s hard to see the lead, especially with fast more advanced dancers and when it’s crowded. Still, best social nowadays.
1 person found this review helpful
El Valenciano has a full bar, separated from a lounge area and dance floor, but feels like a dancing place rather than a club/bar venue. The wooden dance floor is fairly small and there is a rectangular crack in the floor around the center, so stay to the middle or edges of the floor. Has poor ventilation and limited street parking but lots of great dancers, especially advanced on-2 dancers. El V clears out around midnight and quickly after. No coat/bag check but room on tables and chairs around the floor. It is a colorful little place and definitely worth the entrance fee for a fun evening with skilled dancers, a variety of jazzy salsa and a little bachata and cha cha cha.
1 person found this review helpful
Thanks all for the love and feedback. Just wanted to note a few things:
1) The floor obviously has been redone since the earliest reviews were written. There is a large danceable area and all the known bad panels have been repaired.
2) We’ve fixed the AC! The air conditioning was broken for a few months, but we just got it repaired in time for last Wednesday (3/7). In conjunction with 2 fans, it was the coolest that it’s been in a long time.
3) Due to multiple requests to make it brighter, well… it’s brighter! Definitely a lot easier to see your partner now.
4) We are now open till 1:30 AM – there are always hardcore dancers sticking it out till the end.
5) We try our best to be beginner/non On 2 friendly – there is a beginning level On 2 class at 9, and we keep it nice and mellow for the first part of the party. PLEASE don’t be shy about asking people to dance, whether you’re a guy or girl! One of the best things about having a dancer-oriented social is that everyone is there to DANCE and not to drink and pick up people (for the most part ;-) )
6) For those who do like to drink and dance, we have a $5 drink special every week – save money and get your buzz on! :)
Looking forward to seeing you all on the floor!
DJ Hong
1 person found this review helpful
FIVE STARS!!! I love it here. Everyone knows how to dance.. most on2 which is hard to find.. there is always a good amount of people. I go there every wednesday and I love it.. you can dress up or you can dress down. I sometimes come right after my dance practice wearing tights and a t-shirt and I never had any problem getting in or feel embarrassed.. Everyone is really friendly. Everyone seems to know everyone..
1 person found this review helpful
Premiere on2 social in the bay right now.
Majority of dancers are experienced on2 dancers.
Cosy space – not too empty or too crowded. Just right.
Dancer-friendly music – great tunes, short songs. There’s a rotation of DJ’s including DJ Hong, DJ 360 and others, so the music is always fresh.
Friendly, laid-back atmosphere.
1 person found this review helpful
Snobby, unfriendly dancers. Avoid going here at all costs.
Mambo Romero Social, AKA El V. Is the best weekly salsa social to go dance with San Francisco Bay Area’s on 2 best dancers. Also, is the only place in SF Bay Area where real spinning (Salsa on Vinyls) takes place by Dj-360. I highly recommend it. 5 Starts!
Favorite weekday hangout. Dj Hong kills it on a regular basis.
I had to knock off a half-star because the floor is now coming apart at the seams in one area (very unpleasant!), and it gets so friggin’ hot.
This event has slowly become the “go to” event for on2/mambo dancers. A great mix of advanced and intermediate dancers and a very low-key atmosphere. DJ Hong is one of my fave Bay-Area DJ these days and he’s a fixture there.
The best weekly socials and place to dance on2! Wish I could go every Wednesday!! <3
Best weekly social in the Bay! Great for on 2 dancers. This is one not to miss.
One of the best socials in the bay and the best social on Wednesday night. Good environment, chill place. Has potential for the crowd to be packed or more loose, but great either way – plus its got the hottest bouncer in the bay.
Somehow quickly became a great salsa social for mostly on2 dancers. I docked a star since the floor is questionable and it’s always far for me to get to, as well as the fact that it ends early. 1 is a bit early. otherwise, it’s a safe bet to come here.