Jakarta is a crazy, fast, loud city. Just like most of the other big cities in Asia there is a burgeoning salsa scene. It is dominated by Columbia/circular style dancing, and has many people from the Latin Standard scene, but you will find good live bands and a small group of friendly people to dance with.

Unfortunately dance events come and go with regularity. There are a number of people who run classes and social dancing events, but they tend to change venues every year or so.

Currently the most reliable regular events are the Thursday and Saturday weekly social events at the Tempus Bar inside the Hotel Ritz Carlton. This is a classy beautiful establishment and the people are a mixture of expats and wealthy locals. It is not the kind of relaxed street bar experience you will get in Latin America, but the people are very into the dancing.

Tuesday night there is a Latin band playing at Amigos Mexican restaurant in Mega Kunnigan. They play a mixture of merengue, bachata, rumba, bolero and salsa. Although the salsa we heard was more of a Cumbia style. The crowd is a mixture of Latin standard dancers and street Latin students. Friendly people but not the kind of party for hardcore salseros.

If you are looking for lessons then get in contact with Luisa from Latin Nights Jakarta. She runs classes in many of the local social dancing venues, so you can get a few lessons and start dancing immediately.