Dance styles

Blues in the UK

8 organisers teaching or running Blues in the UK, with 7 weekly nights and 9 dated events – each checked against the organiser's own site.

Blues dancing is a slower, grounded partner dance to blues music, with a close connection and lots of room for musical interpretation. Many swing scenes run blues classes and late-night blues rooms alongside their Lindy Hop nights. Read our full guide to Blues.

Lindy Hop and swing in the UK

In the UK, 8 organisers run 7 regular weekly sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, with 9 dated events in the diary. Styles on offer: Lindy Hop, Charleston, Blues, Balboa, Collegiate Shag and Solo Jazz.

Mondays: Monday Blues class and social at 19:30–22:30 (The Boathouse (upstairs room)). Tuesdays: Stompin' The Blues (Blues classes) at 19:00–21:10 (The Castle), Blues and Collegiate Shag at 19:30–21:30 (Greyfriars Charteris Centre) and Improvers swing (weeks 1-3 of block); blues week 4; social week 5 at 20:30–21:30 (St Mary's Church Hall, Inverness). Thursdays: Blues dance class and social (The Old Toll Bar). Fridays: Blues at the Ritzy at 20:00–02:00 (Upstairs at the Ritzy, Ritzy Picturehouse) and The Hot Club DJ night (swing, jazz, blues) (Mad Cat pub).

Starting out? Stompin' The Blues (Blues classes) on Tuesdays at 19:00–21:10, Blues dance class and social on Thursdays, Monday Blues class and social on Mondays at 19:30–22:30 and Improvers swing (weeks 1-3 of block); blues week 4; social week 5 on Tuesdays at 20:30–21:30 are described by the organiser as suitable for newcomers. Most classes rotate partners, so you can come on your own – see your first class.

Prices listed by organisers here run from £2 to £30 – a drop-in class or social is usually at the lower end; courses, workshops and weekenders cost more.

Where: The Castle (E1 1LN), Upstairs at the Ritzy, Ritzy Picturehouse (SW2 1JG), Upstairs at the Ritzy (SW2 1JG), Greyfriars Charteris Centre (EH8 9RR), Lark Lane Community Centre, The Old Police Station (L17 8UU) and The Old Toll Bar (G51 1LF) and 5 other venues. Each listing has Google and Apple Maps links.

Next up: Blues at the Ritzy on Friday 30 October 2026, Swingin' the Blues Saturday Night Social on Saturday 14 November 2026 and Monthly blues class and social on Saturday 14 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I learn Lindy Hop or swing dance in the UK?

Stompin' The Blues (Blues classes) at The Castle, Blues at the Ritzy at Upstairs at the Ritzy, Ritzy Picturehouse, Blues and Collegiate Shag at Greyfriars Charteris Centre and Blues dance class and social at The Old Toll Bar. Full times and venues are listed on this page.

What nights are the classes and socials?

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Times are as listed by each organiser; anything marked "check first" should be confirmed before you travel.

How much does it cost?

Listed prices run from £2 to £30. Drop-in classes and socials are cheapest; courses and weekend workshops cost more.

Do I need a partner or any experience?

No. 7 sessions are marked as suitable for beginners, and most classes rotate partners so you can come alone.

Where can I go social dancing?

Blues at the Ritzy, Workshop and Social Dancing, Swingin' the Blues Saturday Night Social and The Hot Club DJ night (swing, jazz, blues). Socials often start with a short taster class.

What should I wear?

Comfortable clothes and shoes that turn on a wooden floor – suede or leather soles are ideal, trainers with smooth soles are fine. See our guide to what to wear.