Watch CBS News

Best Live Latin Music In South Bay

Whether you feel the rhythm or the romance, the rich blend of traditional styles and influences coupled with infectious beats makes Latin music hard to resist. "Dancing With the Stars" has brought Salsa, Samba and Rumba to the national forefront parading the moves and music effortlessly season after season. Be the star of the dance floor and enjoy live Latin music at these fine South Bay venues.

Azucar Latin Restaurant & Lounge
71 East San Fernando St.
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 293-8482
www.azucarsj.com

Price: $10 cover Fri to Sat starting at 9:30 p.m.
Hours: Mon to Wed - 4 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Thurs to Sat - 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Sun - 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.

If the idea of a cool mojito served in a collins glass with just a sprig of mint has you packing for La Bodeguita del medio to sip this refreshing rum cocktail with the likes of Ernest Hemingway, you're in luck. Look no further than Azucar Latin Restaurant & Lounge for authentic Latin tunes and drinks. Bearing the title "Best Latin Restaurant, Mojitos & Latin Club for 2011," Azucar takes the classic lime mojito and turns it up several notches for delicious variations in which the Lounge has become famous for. Happy hour all day Tuesday coupled with $2 tacos can't be beat. Find your spot on the dance floor while live music and Djs transform the space into hot Cuban nights.

Monte Carlo Restaurant & Nightclub
228 Castro St.
Mountain View, CA 94041
(650) 988-1500
www.montecarloniteclub.com

Price: Fri - $20, Sat - $15, Sun - $10
Hours: Fri to Sun - 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.

What do you get when you take several dance floors and fill them with locals enjoying the beats of Top 40, Reggaeton, Latin pop and Cumbia? One of the hottest Latin night club destinations in the Bay Area. Main DJ Hector Gonzalez throws it down on the second floor while live acts such as Banda La Unica and Banda Miravalle have graced the stage on the main level. The club offers free cover for the ladies Friday and Sunday, and Saturday until 10:30 p.m. Be sure to text the nightclub early to get yourself on the guest list and avoid the lines into the club.

Miami Beach Club
417 S 1st St.
San Jose, CA 95109
(408) 242-9621
www.yourmiamibeachclub.com

Price: $10
Hours: Thurs to Sun - 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Hot like a balmy Floridian night, the Miami Beach Club has been a staple of the San Jose community for 24 years mixing up tropical flavors inside its well packaged venue. Really two clubs in one--Miami Beach Club and The Beso Club--this hotspot ensures both rooms provide ample space for the crowds moving to merengue, cumbia, hip hop, Latin, salsa and bachata mixes. Recent guests in the Beso room have included DJ Kane and Pancho Barraza. The upscale nightclub boasts full bars in both rooms, hardwood dance floors and HD screens surrounding the club so you enjoy a little video mix with your music.

RelatedNarsai David Review: Spanish Sparkling Wines

Club Caribe
1001 S. 1st St.
San Jose, CA 95110
(408) 297-7272
www.clubrodeorio.com

Hours: Fri to Sat - 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Fans of cumbia, salsa and Mexican pop should head to Club Caribe where Banda music is favored and the night has a pulse. Get out of your work clothes and slip into something sexy as you slink across the dance floor to the beat of Banda Rio Verde or Banda Guanajuatense. Enjoy live music Friday and Saturday nights while DJ Pepe de la O mixes up the evening blend. Be sure to check out the club's Facebook page for updates on special events and live music.

Related: Best Place For A Shot of Tequila

Glamour Club
4825 Hopyard Road
Pleasanton, CA 94588
(925) 416-2222
www.facebook.com/Glamourlatinclub 

Hours: Fri to Sat - 9:30 p.m. to 1:45 a.m.

Two theme rooms divide this stylish new nightclub, formerly known as Neo. The Sky room spins Spanish pop, rock, reggaeton and Top 40 with DJs John Jimenez and Cesar Aguilar while salsa music and classes heat up the Passion Room. Five VIP cabanas rest off the main floor where bottle service can accommodate a party of 10 or more. Ladies get in free before 10 p.m., so be sure to start your night off early here.

Robyn Chelsea-Seifert is a freelance writer living in San Francisco. Her work has appeared in The Miami Herald, Creem, Hit Parader, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel and International Musician. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.


View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.