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Category: Dance Clubs
Neighborhoods: Dogpatch, Potrero HillMon. 7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Tue. 8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Wed. 7:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Thu. 7:30 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Fri. 9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sat. 7:30 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sun. 2:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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You gotta check this place out for salsa dancing Saturday nights, *especially* if you don't dance ;)
I was kind of intimidated at first, but it's an unpretentious-salsa-crowd. Good vibes for sure.
Take it from me, a simple gal who doesn't even know even know Salsa. My friend taught me some basics and we were fierce! (at least I thought we were, ha ha!). Plus the live music is just shake yo bum-bum fun.
But be prepared because the dance floor is HOT! (I mean, hot and sweaty hot)
Thursday is supposed to be the more "professional" salsa crowd. For now, I'll stick to Saturdays.
Watch, learn, go dance, have fun!!
great dancefloor & loved the atmosphere.
we've hit this place a few times, usually on monday....beginner nite. lol
Now here's a place where I can get my dance on. Now ladies, you must know that if you come here, there will be dancing all night long. There seem to be way more guys than girls, and these guys are all quite eager to spin you all over the dance floor.
I had a great time when I went to Cocomo last Thursday. I'll admit, it seemed like it was going to be geriatric night at the beginning, but it quickly picked up as the night went on (guess it was past the old men's bedtimes). I had some great dance partners and some meh dance partners. And then there was the guy who completely wreaked of bad alcohol and kept trying to spin me but didn't have a clue what he was doing; I had to fake a knee injury to get out of that one. No, I'm not one of the salsa divas (to the contrary, I was a bit rusty after not salsa-ing for a while), I just like a guy who knows what he's doing. OK, enough negativity, I did have a great time dancing. And there are some amazing dancers to watch when you need to rest your tired tootsies. And the mojito's were yummy also.
So, get out your dancing shoes and get down to Cocomo for some salsa! I hope I'll be back there soon.
There is now live salsa music with Montuno Street (formerly Azabache) every Monday (lessons 7:30-8:15 + 8:15-9:00) and Wednesday (lessons 7-8 + 8-9) with social dancing afterward.
To listen to some of their tracks or for more into-
http://salsawednesday.com/
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For more salsa recommendations:
http://www.yelp.com/li...
For more salsa info:
http://www.facebook.co...
Depending on the day of the week you attend here for salsa dancing, you can have radically different… Read more »
Update: Went there on both Mondays and Thursays. I have to agree with others..this is the best salsa place in the bay area
I was there on a Wednesday. It was fun, the lesson was kind of slow, but the crowd was friendly and there are pretty decent salsa dancers. I reached my goal of dancing with 10 girls pretty easily :). I was told that Mondays and Thursday are good as well, so I need to check out other days. I will update, as I check out the other days!
Massive salsa warehouse. If you're a female looking vaguely alone for 5 seconds, you'll be whisked away by some salsero before you can make up an excuse about your friend being in the bathroom. So come prepared with your dancing shoes. What's the point of going if you're just going to be a wallflower anyways? Just follow the leader.
There is a ton of practice space, but crowded when things start to pick up later in the night. Also good to practice in that environment too - learning to keep your elbows in and turns tight. Music is always terrific, often with a live band. Only problem is that it gets sweltering hot in there.
I finally got to bust out my novice moves! I live the Southbay and since there's nothing out here, my friend and I decided to make the trip to the city. Well worth the trip! Yaay for Cocomo!
Pros:
+ Large dancefloor. Still gets packed, but I was still able to do a few fancy turns.
+ Live music! Dancing is so much more enjoyable when you dance to a live band.
+ Happy hour from 7-9pm. 50% off selected drinks.
+ All my partners were nice. More skilled than me, but they were patient =) No one gave up on me!
Cons:
- Dude everyone is sweaty! Some literally drippin sweat. Sexiest workout ever!
- $15 cover?? What's up with that??
- Not a good place to get a taxi...club is not on any major intersection. Make sure you have a taxi number on hand!
- Took the lessons at 8pm and damn the instructor moved fast! NOT a good place for true beginners.
Bottom line: I am so coming back! As long as I have the energy to drive to the city for it =)
Decompression needs to move out of here. Too many non-burners makes for a "ghetto" atmosphere.
Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take you to Bermuda, Bahamas, come on pretty mama! There's a place called Kokomo, we'll get there faster, then we'll take it slow....
Okay...so Club Cocomo...my girlfriends were a little sketched out when I told them we were going here after reading the "molest-sa" and "grope-sa" comments from Tasha, BUT, everyone had a great time and a great workout.
According to one latin man, "Yeah, there are more white girls coming because they like to exercise." Haha.
I would love it if the cover was only $10 b/c $15 is sorta steep, but the live music is good and there are plenty of men to dance with--even if you suck, they don't care!
We danced til 1am until Claire had "bi-lateral" blisters on her feet, and after I lied to Jose claiming that my "husband is at home with the kids."
Divertido.
I love Cafe Cocomo, I go there so often that the bouncers know me by name and don't even check my id. I'm trying to get to the point where they'll start letting me and my female entourage in without charging us the $15 cover. I usually go there Thursdays or Saturdays, though I have been other days.
Lessons with Jake are okay, but I do not like them. He and his gorgeous assistant start off teaching the basic step and a few more basic moves, then they branch off into all of these really complicated dance routines that true beginners would have an almost impossible time keeping up with. They should split the class beginner/intermediate advanced and have someone else teach the beginners for 2 hours while Jake teaches the intermediate/advanced salseros/as.
Yes, the guys are more interested in picking up on women than actually dancing. Come on, they're hot-blooded Latin Salseros! What do you expect? I get hit on a lot, but I have no problems. If their hands drift too low, I blatantly pick their arms up and move them to where they are actually supposed to be on my back. Often I make a comment as well such as, "Do you really know how to dance? If you did, you would know where your hand is supposed to be on my BACK and no lower!" That usually puts a stop to all groping as the bailador is very embarassed with a bruised ego, and never asks me to dance again and slinks along to the next victim. But as before mentioned, a girl is never alone for long, for in Cafe Cocomo, there is no shortage of men to dance with as on some nights guys outnumber the girls 2 to 1, and one can barely sit for five minutes before someone asks you to dance, and hopefully the next guy will be more polite and respectful than the last one.
Drinks are decently priced, and yes there is a dress code. I'm kind of happy that there is one, it cuts down on all the ghetto-ness (even though often it sneaks through anyway) as it wouldn't at all be proper or modest for the guys to try to keep from mooning people all night in their ultra baggy jeans and trying to dance at the same time!
The live bands are usually AWESOME and sometimes there are live performances and other events (Like the Michael Jackson tribute event was fantastic) that usually cost a bit more, but are usually well worth it.
I never had a problem getting a cab there as towards the end of the night quite a few of them come, knowing that Cocomo is about to let out... yet and still, it is more practical to carpool with your designated driver, just to be safe.
All in all, I always have a great time!
Great music, lots of room, although it can get packed. I like this place better than
Rocapulco although I am still looking for a better place.
Yup, after visiting 2 places in San Fran for salsa and one in NYC!!! this one was my fav.
Such good value. The lesson is fun and friendly, the guy that teaches is very sweet.
Then after the lesson, a full on BAND sets up and starts cranking out awesome salsa music! In Sydney when there is a live band it's a special occasion - but here it's every time. Amazing. Good music too. Some fast, some good for On2, some slow and fun. It's a good mix.
Standard of dancing is pretty good too on Thursday nights. Mostly On1, but the occasional On2 dancers.
Awesome!
If you love latina women and haven't been to Cocomos then slap yourself. My review is only for the first friday "South Beach" event that is held every month. I remember my first time coming here and seeing girls walk near all these warehouses in the middle of no where and thinking "Wow look at all these hookers!" As it turns out they're all going to Cocomos! For the most part girls here are willing to dance with you and then you got the usual "I'm here to dance with my girls tonight" crowd that are here every month with that usual bullshit.
Anyways what I don't like about this place is the stupid dresscode in order to make the guestlist. I can understand dress shoes and a dress shirt but whats up with the dress slacks now? You can still wear jeans but be prepared to shell out $30 even if your on the guestlist. $30 is waaay to much for any SF club. Also I don't know if they haven't been paying their air conditioning bill lately but it gets hot as hell in there when the place gets packed. I'm talking dripping sweat hot, like one hour on the treadmill running full speed hot, like being locked inside of a car while it's 110 degrees outside hot. You think Suite 181 is hot? This place makes 181 feel like your in Alaska with nothing but a speedo on (not speaking from experience).
I've also been reading people talking about the parking situation being real suspect but I've personally never had nothing happen to my car, stick to parking Indiana St and avoiding those random dark ass alley's that seem tempting.
I was simply terrified.
Let me set the scene...
Three girls went salsa dancing.
My old roommate toured with an amateur salsa group throughout college, our other friend - and not meaning it in any derogatory way - is just so nice, cute and curvy she could just waltzed into any room and every guy will just fall over themselves for her.
And then there's me... tall, awkward. Never salsa'ed before in my life.
We came for a Thursday lesson. The lesson itself was fine... you can tell a lot of guys were more experienced than they let up. Part of the pick up tactic I'm sure. A lot of women came with groups of girl friends.
Jake, to be fair, is a good instructor. He is as attentive as could be in a large group environment. Though it never prepares you enough for the time when the club is open to general public.
Jake took a liking to my friend who danced in the salsa group. He kept going back to her... and eventually asked her out (she declined - it was just too weird for her). He didn't wait till the end of night - just went for the kill after the lesson portion. THAT alone was too weird.
Meantime cutey girl pal was spun around by every Salsa Warrior in the room. Mind you cutesy girl CAN dance pretty well. The Warriors were impressed. She got about half dozen phone numbers.
Finally that left me - the one who CAN'T dance. There was one cute and nice gay boy who was also there to learn. We joined forces with a few other ladies and gents who were also absolute beginner. But at the end... we were the outsiders. The rest of the crowd wasn't particularly inclusive. Oh yeah, it made us very self conscious.
I am not sure if every salsa club is like this. I guess it is just not for me (also it is not the easiest place to get to either).
this is a review for the Wednesday night beg/int salsa lesson: Very cool. Everyone was there to learn. The instructors Orlando and ( i forgot her name) were very good. did things step by step. The lady did a great job explaining the steps. and were able to go around to couples and check their progress. and it was only $10!! and we got a corona for $2 !!! can it GET any better than that?!
I most definitely have to come here again to experience the entire night!
UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
worst night of dancing in my life.*
ENDLESS SWARM S of PERVERTED DISGUSTING men lurking and waiting around the dance floor for women.
I AM NOT JOKING. their tactic is to lead you away from your group, saying that a different spot is better. is that not the mindset of a rapist???!!!
SO DISGUSTED.
BOTTOMLINE:
this is not the place to dance if you want to stay away from disgusting pervs. which i think everyone wants to do...
ALTERNATIVELY,
they should teach women self defense during the salsa lesson.
*okay i danced w/ ONE awesome dancer, but that's it. the five of us left feeling disgusted, violated, turned off to salsa.
Went there for my first time last night. We came for the free salsa lessons and live music, and both were great! We got there at 8 and didn't leave til 2 which is rare for me to stay at a club for that long, so it was definitely fun. The lessons move very fast paced so you might need to go a couple times to really get them down. I was concerned coming there as a single guy with no partner that there wouldn't be enough girls to partner up with but boy was I wrong! In fact there weren't enough guys there and many girls had to wait for a partner. The sangria is pretty good and the bartenders make stiff drinks. The band was awesome and very in touch with the crowd. There are many Salsa pros dancing around the dance floor and they're not shy to ask a beginning girl to dance, so if you have a good partner then try to stick by her til you absolutely need a break. Good way to workout, get drunk, meet people, and hear some live authentic music. I'll be back!
This place is definitely in the boonies...WAY out there.. I wouldn't want to go back here unless there's a ridiculously good reason for me to go.. or someone drives me here guarantee-ing a good time. It's pretty ghetto.. I think the area is actually more ghetto than Whisper..
We had a hard time getting in even though guestlist time didn't even end yet with the bouncers. But our friend kept insisting and finally got our way..
The space is definitely big and spacious.. 2 floors/balcony area.. big stage for performances that I see in past event pictures at this venue..
Event was hosted by Synergy or something.. So it was mostly asians that night with hip hop night.. I wasn't feeling it that night and I wasn't feeling that good that night... so in general.. not a great experience here.. Sorry COCOMO... you weren't coco-ing me at all that night..
I've been corralled in here for the afterparty-monopoly Cocomo has managed to scrounge after they close the block for Decompression. I've also been for a few of the Sunset Stompy parties, since I have friends who swear by this place. Said friends are mostly excited that, on any given night at Cocomo, they have a solid chance at finding a baggie of some drug or another dropped in a dark corner. Even they have to agree that the music and ambiance is lacking.
Unlike Sunset parties hosted in any other venue in the city, the crowd at Cocomo is hard and unfriendly. Mixed-gender groups huddle to themselves and don't socialize with outsiders much, and the single guys are always on the prowl. If you're a girl, you can forget dancing by yourself or trying to make new friends without having to fend off sketchy predators every few minutes.
The music is generic, the drinks are overpriced, and the food is pretty much equivalent to what you'd get in a hospital. Add that to the disgusting, smelly bathrooms, and the especially-rude security guys at the front door, plus coming out to find your car window smashed and the contents of your purse scattered around with the street garbage the next morning... you can't lose!
Well, the restroom situation leaves much to be desired, but over all the indoor/outdoor aspect was nice. It reminds me of the end-up, except harder to get to.
Came here on a Saturday night but missed the salsa lessons. I don't think I was missing much because I heard quite a few girls talking about how the salsa instructor was a male diva who didn't want to teach them.
Even though I didn't know how to salsa, I thought this place was extremely fun. The live music is great, it gets really crowded and everyone is dancing, except for many of the creepy men trying to find their prey (some of them are kinda hot :X).
The drinks are pretty good and the food isn't bad, but I would definitely eat somewhere else ahead of time. Some places in the venue smell like canned dog food. But hey, when there's a live band, and you're kinda drunk, nothing can really go wrong.
Besides the fact that I was completely obliterated from taking one too many shots out of the necklace shot glasses I had provided for everyone on my German Party Bus, I'd have to stay this place is totally stellar!
I wouldn't even be able to tell you about its exact location because I totally thought I was in the middle of dodge but I can tell you that the staff was very friendly and the tequila shots/drinks were very cheap. :)
There were about twenty five of us that bombarded this live music, salsa club and I'm pretty sure everyone had a good time shaking their ass even though the majority didn't know how to salsa.
I mean, where else would you find 4' 5" Mexican men who get boners just from dancing with you???! lololol
GOOD TIMES!
Thieves hang out here on Saturday nights.
My bag was stolen, and it'll cost me a couple hundred dollars to replace, not to mention the incredible hassle that I don't have time for. Sure, yes, I should've used the coat check, so it's my own fault, but this's never happened to me anywhere else, and I've been going out dancing for YEARS. When I asked around, I found a lot of stuff gets stolen there. So use that coat check!
I loved Cocomo until this happened. They were my favorite dance place. Now, don't know if I'll go back.
Positives: Cool layout, teaches a basic how to salsa, cheap drinks, well ventilated
Negatives: Hit or miss crowd, location
This is NOT the place to pick up on girls or guys, but I do believe there is great potential here. I enjoyed the salsa lesson and I think it's a great place to go to for a big co-ed crowd. North beach and the marina get so boring that I think something like this is fun, once in awhile. FYI, some creepy guys so be prepared.
Salsa lessons on Mon nights. $7 cover $2 Coronas $3 Margaritas, so for $12 you can get your drink and spin on, where in this city can you find a deal like that!
Salsa (or any kind of cultured) dancing in on my life to-do-list, and just took some baby steps forward.
The instructors were nice, patient and didn't single anyone out for moving like Jerry's kids on Special K.
After starting with some basic steps, you switch partners, that forces you to learn how others move and fine tune your own rhythm.
Then just when you think you got something sorta figured out, you switch again, like musical chairs, but with people.
The instructors also remind you when you address a new partner, you don't shake their hand, you hug them and go right into the arms connected dance position (which is a nice segue)
The space itself is large, kitschy and nestled in an industrial part of town underneath two elevated highways, and parking's a snap, in other words perfect.
The crowd was a mix of all shapes, sizes, skill levels, but the primary reason everyone was there was to move.
There's definitely a lot of physical contact going on, but that's the whole point of it, right?? so ladies, you will be asked to dance and you may be touched a bit inappropropriately, all in the name of salsa of course.
We'll be back, maybe after youtubing some how to videos first and picking up a pair or white cockroach killers
Who knows, maybe one day you could be like this
THE MASK - Coco Bongo Scene
http://youtube.com/wat...
4.5
This place is awesome! i was there for the cann. cup, not salsa dancing or a reg night, so im not sure what the vibe is like then. but based on the venue alone, i was impressed by the lay out of the spot and the unique feel of the place. i love the outdoor area with all of the flora and fauna and places to sit and mingle. the inside was pretty massive with an upstairs and a couple of bars. i was pleasantly surprised and will def be back!!
The guys here last Saturday were not doing salsa -- they were doing molest-sa, or possibly grope-sa, but definitely not salsa. We had reserved a table, entry was $10, drinks were on the cheap end, but this place is in the middle of nowhere, it was impossible to catch a cab when it was time to leave, and the crowd definitely killed whatever possibility Cocomo's had of being fun.
Yesterday was one of those beautiful and sunny afternoons on the very much almost always sunny side of town, Potrero Hill. Better yet, enjoying it outside, amongst other lovelies at Cocomo's outside patio. How can you beat it? Sunshine, yummy drinks, groovin to some funky beats, palm trees, ah...you feel like you're in .... well, San Francisco baby!
But there's more. More DJs inside, more dancing, more drinks, and well... off comes my hoody - my favorite hoody done by an artist in Oakland. This hoody had in its right pocket, my wallet, with cash, plastic, ID, and my BiRite Creamery Card with nearly enough punches to get me my free scoop of ice cream! In the left pocket, a pack of gum, my eye drops, a lighter and other miscellaneous. Oh, um, and my cell phone. So I put this FULL LOADED hoody of mine down in an action packed moment, only to later realize, it was no longer there...could it have been stolen? Did I move it unknownst to my own self? Wah happen??
tic toc tic toc...neary 24 hours later, Cocomo's opening their gates for Salsa Monday, and in I pounce to see if MAYBE, it was still lingering around?? Greeted by a friendly owner/manager/the cool cat running the show tonight, goes back to the office to come back out with....
drum roll...
MY HOODY!! yup, still fully loaded.
Thank you people at Cocomo - still honest peeples out there. I always have a good time here, and its good to know I can loose things and get them back here too!!
After visiting 3 venues of salsa dance in SF, I must say Cocomo's is the most fun!! My friends and I went there last Sat and took Jake's class since some of them haven't learned salsa before. First, we learned the basic steps and turn, then rotated partners to keep practicing. People were nice and laid-back. I had a BLAST and will definitely come back again and again!!! SALSA Crazy!!
It is what it's supposed to be, a big space for salsa dancing. Easy parking, easy location, by car...so you can't get plastered if you're driving. What fun is salsa dancing if you're not plastered? Public transit...good luck.
The mot noticeable thing about this place is the crowd. Nothing like a place full of forceful, machismo-ful old douchebags grabbing and pulling at girls instead of nicely asking for a dance.
There were the cool guys there, so I hope that doesn't detour single ladies. Some real good salsa dancers, and there was that guy that looked like Kobe. Go in a larger group with at least one or two "enforcers" be it male or female. Drinks and cover were overpriced. But free parking. Eh.
BTW, watch out for the cougars. Raaarr.
Been here on saturday nights when it's just a club (south beach) but looking for a partner to go to during salsa night!!
When I first got here i was impressed at their cute little patio and lights everywhere outside which is a big contrast to the industrial warehouses around the area. The music is way loud and was so hard to hear someone talk to me. I appreciated all the drinks being bought for me, until I realized it was an Adios MotherF***er, and by the end of the night I was trashed. Kind of sceevy way for men to get women to dance with them but whatever. A free drink is a free drink? haha ANYWAYS....
The music in the club is pretty good however I couldn't help buy get annoyed every ten minutes when someone would step on my foot. I enjoyed the overall atmosphere and would only go in a big group with some friends. I find it best that way.
Went here with some friends for Saturday night salsa. 20 dollar cover. It's located in an industrial area in the city. You can miss it if you're not looking hard enough. just look for a tree with christmas lights...oh, and uh...all the cars out front.
It was actually kind of cool to see the different styles in the crowd. Live band rocked three Salsa sets over the course of the night. Mostly salsa, some cha cha & meringue between the sets....wished they played some Bachata.
The dance floor is packed. practice compact salsa moves. none of that super flashy wide range stuff....no room...but that's expected since it is a salsa night....good practice if you want to make your salsa sharp and compact.
Total man party so go with female friends if you are a dude and really want to dance. There were some guys who just rocked the bar front from start to finish.
Cafe Cocomo is so much fun! Walking into this place is like entering a new experience of hip shakers & twirling salsa dancers where it's all about the live music and the moves. It's a very diverse crowd where everyone is friendly and it doesn't matter what your age is. We couldn't take our eyes off as there were alot of amazing dancers with stellar moves here. There were kicks, head flipping, dipping, and fancy foot work happening everywhere you look.
I went with group of girls and we danced with different partners. Everyone was very respectful and just a good vibe all around. The live band is great and just adds to the atmosphere. They also sell yummy snacks like nachos, tacos, and quesadillas for dirt cheap.
I am definitely coming back for lessons during the week.
This place is FUN! My first time here on Saturday night to try out salsa lessons with a girl friend. $10 cover for one and half hour instruction and a live band - not bad. Be prepared to see lots of really good dancers! I was impressed!
It was very nice that you didn't need a partner, as they tell you to rotate every so often. You also get to dance with several people to distinguish the good leaders from the bad ones :)
One star off for the very inaccessible location! There's free parking if you drive, but if you don't, this is a very difficult location to get to by public transportation!
This is a good place for even the novice salsa dancer.
There is a nice sized crowd so that the bad dancer will not stand out and plenty of pros to imitate their moves.
I recommend that you take advantage of their one hour lessons on Thursday and Saturday nights.
After a few lessons, even the most uncoordinated should be able to hold his/her own.
The entry included a drink ticket which loosened up my date enough to get out on floor.
Big plus: The live bands kick ...!
Negatives: you and your date will get hot and sweaty!
Positives: you and your date will get hot and sweaty!
Didn't stay long enough for the full "Cafe Cocomo Experience" but I will be back. There's something especial about this place.
The security gave my (muy suave) friend a hard way to go over his sneakers - they were sweating him so hard they completely missed the giant bottle of Corzo tequila I stuffed into Strawberry Shortcake's purse. Luckily, I charmed them into overlooking the shoe faux pas. What? I can be charming. Can so. Like you're so diplofuckingmatic. (See, I ooze charm)
Teensy-tiny drinks served by a bartender so hardcore he must be an ex-con. If he's not, he should play one. In a documentary.
Sooooooo...dancing - specifically any kind of dancing that requires some sort of recognition of steps or choreography --- is not my forte. I am horrible at remembering the steps, or the timing, or something else that ends up making me face exactly the wrong way. I can't do turbo-kickboxing at the gym --- choreographed dancing is beyond me.
When my friends suggested we go to CafeCocomo for the Thursday night salsa lesson, I laughed. And then I found myself agreeing to go (hey, someone mentioned they would buy me a drink). I was really nervous when we went in, and the $10 cover did not help my mood. I also didn't get the whole partner switching thing at first during the lesson, but once we really got going it was great fun. (And several of the people attending the lesson were NOT beginners, which was even better as I had trouble following the instructor.)
Afterwards, a fabulous band started playing live music up on stage, the place filled up, and I found myself out on the dance floor with a series of different partners --- most of whom I had never met before. I laughed a lot! And had a great time. And had to remember it was a work night.
Have I become a salsa whiz? Please. But you know what, it didn't matter. The crowd was there to dance, have fun and pass no judgments on the stray dance-idiots among them. Thursdays at Cafe Cocomo --- try it, you'll like it.
The first and last time I attempted dancing lessons was sometime in high school at a restaurant that didn't have enough room for swing (read: newbie). Ten years later, I'm still intimidated by the pressure from a random partner not to mess up, and then that thing called rhythm. Lord help me, I know salsa is easier for the girl, but I cannot follow a guy's lead! There is this resistance, delayed response, awkward laughter, the feeling he thinks of you as a robot and won't look anywhere in your direction, and obvious self-degradation but after you get over all that, it can be pretty fun! At my first salsa lesson here, I learned a little about myself. I need to yield and give up control sometimes, without telling my partner how I think he should do it. Good time for a new year's resolution, wouldn't you say?
Thankfully I went with two people that had experience. They filled me in on the etiquette of one's obligation to dance the first time someone asks you (or sit the whole song out). There were a variety of couples there showing off, making for great entertainment on top of the live band. The dancefloor was the perfect size and there was an extra floor up top with a small bar and tables. I thought the lessons themselves taught us more than the basics, but I wouldn't pay $15 to get in without the lesson included.
My only complaint about this place is that there is no sign about MINIMUM CHARGE FOR DRINKS. It's $20. They didn't even tell me when I told them I wanted to start a tab, so I found out when I was trying to leave!
Disclosure - I've been going to Cocomo for years and am friends with many of the staff, DJs, instructors and bands there, so this might be a little biased. :)
Cafe Cocomo used to be called the "Salsa Church" because everyone in the Bay Area salsa scene would show up in their salsa finest without fail every Thursday and Saturday. Those days have passed and there are a lot of other salsa venues all over, but Cafe Cocomo still preserves its place as the #1 salsa venue in the Bay Area without a doubt. The regular prime-time nights are Thursday and Saturday, with a smaller but still hopping night on Monday and occasional parties on Sunday and possibly soon on Wednesday.
Parking - the area is a remote stretch of Potrero Hill, basically off the Mariposa 280 exit. The earlier you arrive the closer you can park to the club - there really is nothing else besides the club, warehouses and some loft apartments. Leave nothing valuable in your car, lock and club it! If you are a single lady arrive early, and when you walk back to your car, ask one of the security to escort you back - they would be more than happy to.
Cover - $10 Thursday, $15 Saturday, $7 Monday, $10-$12 Sundays (depends on the event). There is an ATM machine and they accept credit cards on Thursday/Sunday, but Sundays and Mondays are usually cash only.
Security/Dress Code - Thurs/Saturday they are pretty strict on carding. Also strict on tennis shoes. They used to be very anti-blue jeans for guys but have recently let up on it. In general guys wear jeans and button down/polo shirts/guayaberas, and the ladies wear jeans and tank tops/cute tops. Saturdays you might see more people in suits and dresses but it's definitely not the same as before. Sundays and Mondays are usually casual, with tennis shoes allowed.
Lessons - If you are new to salsa, there is a relatively relaxed and beginner-aimed class on Thursdays and Saturdays at 8 PM led by Jake. He usually keeps it pretty simple but the best part is meeting all the other beginners so you have someone to ask to dance once the lights go down. On Mondays, Fernando and Mimi teach the beginner class and Orlando teaches the intermediate class. At $7 for 2 hours of lessons plus social dancing, this is a great deal.
Dancers - you really get a multi-ethnic swatch of San Francisco at Cocomo. Even though salsa has Latin roots, it has broken out into all different groups. You really don't have to worry about not fitting in - there is almost definitely someone else just like you there. In addition you get dancers at all levels, from beginning to top instructors/performers, and all styles from Mexican to Cuban to LA to NY style. Tip for out of town dancers: most of the (self-styled) advanced dancers dance in the "Dancers Corner" in front of the sofa area next to the stage.
People Watching - there is an upstairs level. The stairs are usually lined with people watching the dance floor and band - this is a good place to either take a break from dancing or scout out your next dance partner.
Drinks - ok. My buddies Will, Wilita and Grace take care of me behind the bar. There is the main bar, then one in the back "Lava Room" and one upstairs. Sometimes the main bar can get crowded with standing drunkies. They do not have Flor de Cana!
Food - they usually offer either enchiladas OR a roast chicken/ribs dinner plate. It's not bad but not really the greatest either. Unfortunately there aren't really any other food options close by. I will eat an enchilada if I'm really desperate for food.
Dance Floor - it's an ok wood floor. They redid it a few years ago, and at least it isn't sticky.
Bands - almost all of the top salsa bands in the Bay Area play at Cocomo. There are a few exceptions - in general you will hear less Cuban salsa bands here (e.g. Rumbache, Anthony Blea y su Charanga, Ritmo y Armonia etc.). If you are more into the Cuban sound, you should check out the Elbo Room and Jelly's. My favorite band that plays at Cafe Cocomo would have to be Tito Garcia y su Orquesta Internacional, which plays mostly old school mambo. Dancing to a live salsa band is HOT! Warning, the songs can get long especially if you are stuck with someone you don't want to dance with.
DJs - Monday nights are DJ Mendy and DJ Orlando, Thursdays with DJ Fab Fred and Saturdays with DJ Ivette Fuentes and DJ Chata Gutierrez. Special note - in most salsa clubs you will also hear different forms of music like chachacha, bachata, and merengue. However, on Saturday, they do NOT play bachata and merengue (or at least I have yet to hear it), in case
ummmm. i can only review this place for the first friday of the month parties. its actually kinda fun if you go with your girls......but dont ever bring your boyfriends! this place is full of ghetto ass men who are waiting to pick a fight. i think its the one party where all the drug dealers and pimps get together to come party. so dont be surprised if you feel a few hands up your skirt throughout the night. and dont ever get too drunk to handle yourself-the men are waiting like vultures with roofy's in hand.
Neighborhood: Bernal Heights
Category: Nightlife
Neighborhood: SOMA
Category: Breakfast & Brunch
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond
Category: Specialty Schools
Neighborhood: Glen Park
Category: Performing Arts
Neighborhood: Potrero Hill
Category: Restaurants
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