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10 places to dance salsa in Cali
Today we remember one of the greatest singers of Colombian salsa: our titan Piper Pimienta, legendary vocalist of Latin Brothers orchestra, an undisputed icon of our capital of Valle del Cauca.
On his birth anniversary this August 4, we portray a little about this giant. And if you want to pay tribute, here's a list of 10 places where you can listen to his songs, dance the best of salsa caleña, and enjoy nightlife in Cali. Váyalo!
Who was Piper Pimienta?
On a day like today, exactly 83 years ago, Edulfamid Molina Díaz was born in Puerto Tejada, or as he is also known:
“El Grone de la Salsa”, a great interpreter of what became the unofficial anthem of our Branch of Heaven, “Las caleñas son como las flores”, a salsa-cumbia tune composed by maestro Jorge Arturo Ospina Piñeros and theme of the 1975 Cali Fair.
This song catapulted Piper to fame at the hands of its discoverer, genius Julio Ernesto Estrada Rincón, leader of the Fruko y sus Tesos, orchestra. And it is still heard not only on every radio broadcast, bus route, patron saint's festivity, or family reunion in our country, but it has also become a classic of all the editions of our Cali Fair.
And what is even more moving:
Piper's voice in this piece has crossed all kinds of geographical, cultural, and age barriers to become current inspirational material for international artists of various musical genres, including:
Being added to video game soundtracks of enormous popularity such as Scarface: The World is Yours for Playstation and Xbox platforms worldwide.
In his honor, a monument stands at the Obrero neighborhood park: a place where he grew up doing all kinds of jobs to help his family since his childhood, and daily remembered for his long demeanor, joy, spicy dance, and hits such as “Buscándote”, “Nunca fui tan feliz” and “Sucesos“, unmissable songs in the repertoire of the best nightclubs in Cali.
10 places for salsa dancing in Cali
Known as "The Temple of Salsa", and one of the best places to go out in Cali according to The New York Times.
28 years of partying give this corner of salsa dura a special place in the hearts of Caleños: full of portraits telling its history and salsa stars who have visited it, such as Puerto Ricans Roberto Roena, Ismael Miranda and Pedro Congo; our great Yuri Buenaventura; Colombian actresses Margarita Rosa de Francisco and Juana Acosta; and even international stars such as John Leguizamo and Alejandro Sanz. Live salsa to make you guarachar, drink and dance until dawn.
Another spectacular landmark of Cali's nightlife, highly recommended for its live latin jazz and salsa performances.
Despite its small dance floor, it became the den of true music lovers and anyone looking for quality sound in a cheerfully welcoming atmosphere, perfect to start courtship with good drinks and excellent music in one of the greatests bars of Cali.
Conducted by Jaime Henao –a big music producer in our city-, the Punto Baré Big Band and La Cuquibanda are the magnificent resident orchestras of this place. You definitely won't get bored!
Right next to Punto Baré you will find this notorious two-story establishment, the place of choice of many foreigners who come to learn salsa dancing.
A picturesque setting frames one of the busiest tile dance floors in Cali.
Its eighties-like appearance of a small-town cantina and the dangerous sound of salsa pesada is perhaps one of the most representative virtues of this place.
Because when its neon lamp in glorious phosphorescence welcomes your group, you know that what comes beyond the stairs is a rave your body will take time to recover from.
Unfortunately, this awesome guaguancó salon is still closed due to the aftermath of the pandemic, but it won't take long to its reopening. We advise you to follow its Instagram account to stay informed: @tintindeo_cali. This is the home of salsa in Cali.
In the flamboyant sector of Menga, to the north of our city, there is this newly opened salsa parnassus created by the same people of La 40.
With shows hosted by national and international artists, this is the new conclave of salsa fans. This business alternates its salsa nights with Living Night Club, a sister disco that also dedicates Wednesdays to this rhythm.
But perhaps the most attractive thing about this location is that it is right beside El Jangueo (just in case someone of your party tribe starts sabotaging with Reggaeton). It is also near the 40 Copas (a bar for that friend in despair), and the Rosa Negra (a restaurant for those of your group who are always hungry). These are dance clubs in Cali which won’t let you disappointed.
The most acclaimed salsa show in the country and –undoubtedly- the world. A circus of dancers and acrobats offers you a performance like no other in which you are not only a spectator of impossible contortions, speed, light, perfect smiles, and colors amid the best music in Cali, but you can also dance with your partner.
You can even be invited by one of their handsome virtuosos to shake to the beat of the richest salsa songs ever composed on the planet! If tickets run out, we recommend you quickly contact Mulato Cabaret, a rival of well-known talent we also suggest and wrote about it here. Salsa choke at its purest!
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Both in the Obrero neighborhood of Cali.
The first: self-proclaimed as the "love institute" of the area that, although predominantly dedicated to tango, is also a fundamental bastion of salsa in the city.
And second: the place of the old guard with its Cuban salsa, sones, and boleros.
Supposing you want to visit the old clubs in Cali, these are safe bets to dance in Cali.
Downtown in the Bulevar del Río area, this curiously hidden basement is one of the most appealing sites for young salsa lovers.
Salsa brava from the street, son montuno, chachachá, and boogaloo are mixed with beautiful aesthetics, live musicians, and a rapture that only regulars of this place have when dancing.
If you think you can compete with its visitors and are physically fit, this is your party in Cali.
Although this salsoteca has four (4) other branches (Junin, Ciudad Jardín, Alameda y Menga), we recommend this spot in the Granada neighborhood, north of Cali, if you like romantic salsa.
A place full of sensuality, with DJs, live concerts, and a strategic point of the city for a happy ending: near our hotels. ♥
The night is yours. Enjoy it!
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Spiwak Hotels: your safest option for lodging in Cali, ideal for romantic plans.
Located in the Chipichape Shopping Center, in the Pink Zone of our city, 5 minutes from the Granada gastronomic district and party places in Menga.
We are the largest hotel complex in Valle del Cauca!
