The whole map in one place
Dance styles, and how to choose yours
Partner dancing covers a lot of ground, from the floating waltz to the hip-led cha cha to a crowded Thursday salsa floor. Below is every style we teach, grouped by family: one line on how each feels, and a full guide behind it.
- Rated 4.9 on Google
- Founded by World and British champions
- Adults only
- No partner needed
Four families of partner dance
Ballroom (also called Standard or Smooth) travels around the floor in a closed hold, with elegant frame and, in most dances, rise and fall. Latin (or Rhythm) is danced more in place, with hip action, open positions and plenty of attitude. Social Latin is what you’ll find at a salsa or bachata night: partner dances built for a crowded floor and improvised with whoever you’re dancing with. Swing and its relatives are upbeat, playful and often improvised too.
None is better than another. The right first dance is the one whose music makes you want to move.
Ballroom: smooth and travelling
Waltz
The classic. Floating, elegant, and the foundation of the others. Read the waltz guide.
Viennese waltz
The whirling version, best learned after the slow waltz. See Viennese waltz explained.
Foxtrot
Slow, quick, quick, made for Sinatra. Our foxtrot page covers it.
Tango
Staccato, grounded, no rise and fall. Compare both tangos in our tango guide.
Quickstep
Hops and runs at speed. Here’s what quickstep involves.
Wondering whether to dance socially or train to compete? Read competitive vs social ballroom.
Latin: rhythm and hips
Cha cha
Cheeky and precise, and a common first Latin dance. Learn how cha cha works.
Rumba
The dance of love, and a favourite first dance. The rumba guide explains why slow is hard.
Samba
Bouncy and travelling, usually learned second. See ballroom samba for beginners.
Jive
Rock ‘n’ roll energy at speed. Read the jive guide.
Paso doble
Proud, angular, theatrical. Here’s paso doble explained.
Swing, disco and country
West Coast Swing
Danced in a slot to pop and R&B. Read the West Coast Swing guide.
Hustle
Spins and sparkle to funk and disco. See the hustle explained.
Line dancing
Rows, steps and Friday nights. Our line dancing for beginners guide explains a first night.
Not sure which swing? Here’s West Coast vs East Coast swing side by side.
How adults usually choose
At Beach Ballroom, salsa and bachata are the most popular first dances. Adults drawn to ballroom most often start with waltz or foxtrot; those drawn to Latin usually start with cha cha or rumba. Those starting points teach the timing, frame and connection everything else builds on.
If you’re still unsure, our roadmap for starting dance as an adult sorts the options by where you’re starting from, and a $99 consultation with a senior coach ends with a clear recommendation.
Planning a first dance rather than a hobby? Start with our wedding dance planning guide instead.
Find your dance
Brand new? A beginner salsa or bachata course is the simplest start. Want ballroom, Latin or something else? Book a 45-minute consultation and leave with a plan.