Yes! I’ve you’ve googled adult dance and you’re here, I’m happy for you! Dance classes are great for exercise, high spirit and energy, meeting people and being part of a community and training a new skill. Whatever your motivation- we’ve done a round-up of what Bristol has to offer.
Best dance schools in Bristol
If you are looking at dance classes for a community and to meet great people, then finding a dance school is a great option as they are likely to have larger events and workshops where you can meet and dance with others.
The two top adults dance schools in Bristol are:
| School | Class types | Timetable |
| AE dance fitness | Contemporary, Ballet (beginner and advanced), Lyrical Ballet, tap (beginner and advanced), Jazz, Commercial, Commercial latin, Musical Theater and more See class list here. | Most classes are evenings, in cotham or temple meads. See timetable here. See timetable here. Or on their Instagram. |
| Motion dance and fitness | Commercial, hip-hop, choreography, street, beginners heels, jazz, musical theater, litefeel, lyrical, open jams and more See class list here | Mostly evenings and weekends. See timetable here. |
AE dance fitness is run by Angie, the most energetic and infectiously joyous person you’ll come by. Meet her once and she’s welcomed you into her community for life! Angies school has exploded since 2018- and it’s clear why- she brings community, dance identity and contagious fun to anyone who joins. This is your school for lots of lyrical ballet and contemporary, jazz, tap, musical theater, commercial and commercial latin dance.
Her team of teachers are all similar- out with tradition and in on anything with energy and flare. Try al-fresco summer contemporary classes, 90’s pop-themed advanced ballet, harry potter style dance fitness and anything else weird and fabulously fun. She also runs toddler classes ‘rocking wrigglers’ and ‘buggy bare’ a ballet-inspired fitness class for mums with buggies.
Motion dance and fitness studios bring cool, street, commercial and style like none other. This is your place for cool- they do commercial dance, commercial hiphop urban hiphop commercial heels street dance and flamenco. They also have great beginners classes (which really leave you feeling confident and fabulous whatever your experience) and more general fitness classes including Zumba, Body conditioning and Pound fitness.
Adults Ballet classes in Bristol
The best adult ballet classes in Bristol are run by Louise Bracey, 3rd space and AE dance fitness. Have a look at what each school offer below and see what suits you best.
Adult ballet classes by Louise Bracey an ex-professional Royal Ballet and English National Ballet dancer. She does beginner and intermediate classes. Across Southville, Clifton and St Werburgs. Comment and testimonials across the web say she is a wonderful teacher, very welcoming and confidence instilling, with beautiful style. She seems to build a lovely community too- sometimes organising lunch after classes, or organizing weekend ballet retreats in Wales. See the website here for class times.
3rd Stage Dance company offer evening classes in Temple meads and the city centre. It’s a group of professional dancers in Bristol working with the community to offer classes and performance opportunities. Most Ballet is taught by Sara (@sunnierocker), a beautiful dancer! See their facebook to find out what’s on.
AE dance fitness offer beginners ballet, intermediate/advanced ballet and lyrical ballet classes. Beginners ballet is very welcoming and all teachers are super encouraging and kind- they will cheerlead your efforts to the end! The lyrical ballet is a more dance-focused class open to all levels whereas the ballet classes to more traditional class structures. That said- they bring an AE dance flare to them- they’re often set to modern, popular music, they can be themed, and they’re basically really good fun. Feel comfortable here too even the advanced class can be danced in socks and leggings and a t-shirt! Check out their offerings here.
Salsa dance classes in Bristol
The best places for salsa classes in Bristol (I’ve tried them both) are Monday Salsa Fix and Havana Sasa Bristol.
Monday Salsa Fix is run from the Southbank community centre in Southville. They offer 4 different levelled classes and call themselves the ‘best and friendliest’ salsa class. Over 3 years they’ve built up a thriving, social and uplifting club. It’s a great venue, there’s a bar downstairs, or if you prefer it’s just across the road from one of Southville’s best pubs- The coronation.
Havana Salsa Bristol– Old Market- Monday nights at PiloXercise studios. These guys teach Cuban salsa. They do weekly classes, online courses, monthly salsa parties, and also private lessons and private Latin music DJ hire.
Salsa but with fewer steps- this is a bit different but could be fun! These are Bachata classes, also a Spanish dance style, a bit more freestyle and fluid than salsa. Be warned though- fluid in a sensual way! These are undercover outdoor classes with free dancing afterwards on Wednesdays in Millennial square.
Ballroom dance classes in Bristol
The Bristol Dance Experience offer courses in Latin and Ballroom dance. They do great beginner classes- for individuals or to join as a couple. New beginner dance courses start April, September and January. You can sign up to their mail list for info on when the next round of courses is starting.
Also for ballroom dance classes, check out dancefactorybristol who offer 6-week courses where you learn 3 dances. and also run wedding crash course dancing, speed dancing (like speed dating but mixed partner dance learning) and monthly dance workshops if weekly classes don’t suit you.