Palomar Ballroom

This spot is a Santa Cruz gem! The drinks are good and have a better than average price. The food is also way above what I normally get in this area. The service is excellent. The ladies are no bs strait to the point servers. I like that, don’t treat everyone like a tourist. Don’t you love how the word tourist sounds so much like the word terrorist. N E Ways. This place is fun and I would totally come back for happy hour.

I started going to the Palomar ballroom over three years ago. And I’m still going… because it’s awesome and so much fun! The variety in the schedule is great. There are drop in classes for those who can’t commit to coming every week or who just want to sample a particular style, there are series classes for those who want more in depth instruction, as well as parties and special events for extra practice or just for fun :) Salsa, swing, bachata, waltz, tango, foxtrot, rumba, cha cha, technique, and many others. And it’s all affordable (student discounts! Bring your IDs!)
Jeremy, Zak and Mario are all very knowledgeable and very good teachers. Jeremy is very professional but still a little silly. Zak is encouraging and patient. Mario is quirky. They all teach fun, enjoyable classes that you can learn a lot from. I haven’t taken the fitness or Argentine tango classes yet so I can’t personally vouch for them, but I have heard great things about those teachers too.
Come check it out! Dancing is so much fun and the Palomar ballroom is a great place to learn!

Here’s the thing. The guy Jeremy doesn’t look like he’s interested at all in what he’s doing. There aren’t enough girls that show up, so there really are too many d! cks on the dance floor. The guys from the intermediate class join the beginning class straight after it so there are perpetually less girls for the classes.
I’d suggest learning elsewhere: I heard San Jose is better. Here’s hoping!

I have been taking classes here for two months now and I absolutely love it! There are so many great things to highlight about this organization. First they offer a very wide variety of classes at two different locations. So far I have only taken the beginning classes with Mario and it couldn’t be better! He is a fantastic instructor who knows what he is talking about. They offer many different classes and drop in lessons. They host a multitude of events throughout the year and allow all skill levels to attend.
One of the biggest fears I have heard people speak about is having no dance experience. Having had no experience myself and walking into the beginning dance series classes you will learn how to dance in a comfortable environment and at a pace that promotes learning.
I hope to see you all there!

Best place to learn to dance and have fun at their dance parties. Instructors are excellent and fun! I feel like I’ve found a home away from home. They’ve made learning to dance easy and fun! Now I want to go all the time. I highly recommend it if you’re looking to have fun while learning to dance!

I tried to find a good place for dance classes that weren’t too expensive and this was exactly what I was looking for. It was nice place and I love the food at the Palomar too.

My mom and I bought the Groupon, which is a great way to sample classes, and see which ones you like. We chose the hustle and salsa, and love them both. Mario and Zak are incredible teachers, and make each class fun and invigorating!
We’ve also been attending the Friday night salsa dance parties. I had my reservations about going– I thought it would be more like a club scene where guys try to get grabby with the girls. I was happily surprised that it was not like that at all. Everyone who attends is there to have fun and dance. There are absolutely no creepy vibes! Many of the people who go to the dance parties started salsa dancing at the Palomar Ballroom, and are happy to help you out and teach you new moves!

Great date place, have a beer at Rosie McCann’s, some appetizers in the restaurant at Palomar, then dance it off, then a margarita, more beer…
The only weird part for a date is rotating the partner business in the group class which I wasn’t having any part of. but people were cool.
Definitely fun, good instructors and clean, healthy nighttime fun!

Jeremy turned my awkward self into Funky Butt! I thought it would be very difficult and my wife thought it would be impossible but now I can dance.
Thanks for everything Jeremy

I used to take private dance lessons (salsa, east and west coast swing, foxtrot and the waltz) once a week at this gorgeous ballroom on the 2^nd floor in downtown Santa Cruz. I felt as if I were stepping back into time. Although I did not attend any of the dance parties I have heard they are a lot of fun and a good time is had by all.

Jeremy is an amazing dance teacher. If you ever want to give your loved one a great gift do personal couples dance lessons. Had a great time.

Another place that is close to my heart in my list of close-​to-​my-​heart places in Santa Cruz.
The Palomar is one of the first places that welcomed me when I started going to college here in 2006. This place really feels like «home». I made some of my earliest dancing beginnings here. Most notably, I discovered the (what used to be) 2 $ friday night salsa parties. It’s now 5 $ friday night salsa parties for about 3 hours of straight dancing.
Aside from my feeling sentimental over this place, it really is wonderful. The best and most beautiful dance venue in Santa Cruz. The floor is heavenly. The Spanish style architecture and high ceilings are heavenly. The mirrors are useful. This place truly turns into an exotic paradise on friday nights. A lot of south american and latin dancers come out which gives it a truly authentic feel. I feel like I’m in a foreign country for a few hours. I’ve made great friends here.
So, this review is based almost entirely on the salsa parties, but the staff is also friendly from the limited contact I’ve had with them, and they have been here for years. It’s a wonderful place to meet people and have a magical time.

I have been going regularly to the wednesday night swing class and i totally love it. Mario teaches both an intermediate and beginners class for which i have taken both, and it’s great because you can practice the advanced and the basic moves to really get your style smooth. The swing party after the class is a blast, so much fun, great music, fun dancers, and i always have a good time.
The lesson is $ 10, and if you take intermediate AND beginners it’s still the same price. If it’s just the dance party it’s only $ 3 and most of the dancers will be very helpful in teaching you how to dance if you’re new.
It does get a little hot in here, but they try their best and have multiple fans and have the water cooler available, just not really any windows.

Went here for the Friday night salsa, without taking the class first. It was amazing! Everyone was super nice and there were plenty of people willing and asking to dance. I loved the atmosphere, not cliquey at all. It was $ 3 to get in, which was totally worth it. I stayed to the end, and was so sad when it was over! One of the lady’s working even took a picture of everyone.
The only negative thing was that when I went to get water, there was a huge puddle and the suede bottom of my dance shoes got really wet. My shoes haven’t been the same since, I wish they would have cleaned the mess by the water.

I took their beginning salsa class. It was easy to follow, the instructor was great. I am planning to take their advanced salsa, then venture out to the salsa world!
Overall, place was clean, instructors were patient and encouraging (they did not yell at the students when they could not get it… i had experience in that at another dance studio).
Have not gone to their Friday Salsa party but I think it will be on my to do list.

I came to the Palomar Ballroom to learn the quickstep. The teacher was patient with me and I had a great time learning this :) The staff seems very friendly!

I dance weekly at the ballroom and find the teachers and staff to be helpful and kind. The ballroom is reasonably spacious (although Friday night salsa dancing can get a bit cramped). They offer group classes, series classes and individual classes in lots of kinds of dance. It’s nice to see a venue for dance that attracts so many interesting people!