Swing Dance Venues

I joined my first dance community during the beginnings of the swing revival in the 1990’s in San Diego, but when I re-joined it in San Antonio in 2010, it was like coming home. While most dance groups are welcoming and encouraging, I think the swing dance community, wherever I’ve gone, is the cleanest and kindest group I’ve ever met. If you have not been to any of the places I mentioned here, please try them out. (Also family friendly.)

Alamo City Swing Revival (ACSR) -- See Seperate Page for more info

Rating: *****

Address:

Fire Fighters Association Banquet Hall

8925 West Interstate 10

San Antonio, TX 78230

https://acswingrevival.org

https://www.facebook.com/acswingrevival

Lessons on Mondays 7-8pm, open dancing after till 10pm.

Non-profit; membership optional, price of classes and socials only cover operational costs.

They offer beginner and intermediate classes in East Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Charleston, Shag. All ages.

Bar 301

Address:

23567 W. Interstate 10

San Antonio, TX 78257

https://www.facebook.com/Bar301byFralos

https://www.bar301.com/

Beethoven Maennerchor

Rating: *****

Address:

422 Pereida St
San Antonio, Texas, TX 78210

http://www.beethovenmaennerchor.com/

https://www.facebook.com/the.Beethoven/

Usually cover is $5.

The big band plays outdoors at this German Beer Garden. The band is superb and plays a variety of music, mostly swing but mixed with some other popular danceable music. Check their schedule for events.

Edison Experiment

Address:

1846 N Loop 1604 W, 78248

https://www.facebook.com/edisonexperiment/

Hidden in an upscale shopping village just inside Loop 1604 is this craft cocktail bar — the former Sinatra’s lounge, which changed its name about a year ago. Inside, a C-shaped bar anchors the right side, bar tables fill the middle and sofa and chair sets line the far wall. Black-and-white, poster-sized photos of the 1940s bar scene loom along the walls. Chandeliers of various shapes and sizes hang throughout.

Johnny P. and the Wiseguys often play here on Fri nights, 10pm.

Esquire Tavern

Rating:**

Address:

155 E Commerce St, 78205

https://www.facebook.com/EsquireTavernSA/

http://www.esquiretavern-sa.com/

Unfortuantely, neither the website nor the FB page shows the band schedule

Best night for music: Thursdays

This bar is famous for being the oldest one in San Antonio, dating back before there was a Riverwalk. It has a reeeeallly long narrow hallway/bar, at the end of which is an area for tables and booths, which exits out to the Riverwalk. While very quaint and vintage, the place may rock with awesome bands, there isn't room to dance. Unless you are lucky enough to come with an outgoing dance partner who doesn't mind dancing between the tables when no one else would be dancing, be aware that this might just be a good place to have drinks and listen to great music.

Jazz, TX

Address:

312 Pearl Pkwy, Bldg 6, 78215

http://jazztx.com/

https://www.facebook.com/jazztxsa/

Located in the cellar of the Bottling House at the historic Pearl Brewery, Jazz, TX is San Antonio’s newest hot spot for live music. The music is always fantastic and the place is classic. But it is pricey, so if you can get there during Happy Hour, you can avoid the high cover cost. The best jazz/swing bands play here but there is no room to dance, even though the die hard enthusiasts will squeeze up to 2 couples on the floor.

Tue – Sat 5pm – 8pm Happy-Hour Set/ No Cover / Live Music @ 5:30

Tue – Sat 8pm – 12am Main Act / $10-$20 Cover / Live Music @ 8:30

Fri – Sat 12am – 1:30am After-Hour Set / No Cover

San Antonio Swing Dance Society (SASDS) at Bright Coffee

Rating: ***

Address

908 Fulton Ave

San Antonio, TX 78201

http://www.sasds.org/

https://www.facebook.com/SaSwingDance/

See website for group classes. Must sign up online for series of classes.

The club focuses on reserving the Jazzy Swing Era of the 1920s-40s. Lindy hop, balboa, Charleston, collegiate shag,