The best after-work dance nights in Hong Kong

Things get into full swing on Wednesday nights at Grappa’s, where a treasure-trove of dancers twirl the night away. They practice lindy hop, a style that evolved in the Harlem ballrooms of the 1920s to the accompaniment of big band jazz classics. Despite having hopped the Pacific, you’ll discover a similar ambience at Grappa’s, with the Victoria Jazz Band playing the first Wednesday of every month. If you’re really too shy to boogie, there’s always the option of dipping your face into a good bowl of pasta. 

Every Wednesday at Grappa’s Cellar, Jardine Hse, 1 Connaught Plc, Central. Beginners' class starts at 8.30pm followed by social dancing betweem 9pm-11pm. Also every Monday at Rude Bar, 79 Wyndham St, Central. hongkongswings.com.

If you’ve got some Latino flair for the floor, salsa is your calling. Monday nights at Rula Bula are showy, sexy and every bit as sultry as you might imagine. The dance discipline – which originated in mid-70s New York – has snowballed in popularity and this salsa evening claims to have attracted up to 150 dance enthusiasts in one sitting. Organiser Javed Rasool finds the class is ‘a great way to break the ice between two strangers. We rotate so that by the end, everyone has danced with each other.’ Look out for the salsa veterans though – they have their eyes peeled for fresh talent and swoop in on new partners. And if you’re sidelined? Well, there’s always the bar…

8.30pm (lesson), 9pm-1am (dancing).

Ready to release your inner tango temptress or courageous Casanova of the tiles? Argentine tango is the feistiest way to let loose on a Monday night. Hosts Coleman and Kamong are well-equipped to cover the steps in the introductory class. It’s a glitzy affair – women wear heels, and men black shirts, and on certain nights there’s a live accordion player or tango band. There is one strict code, though. Ladies wait for men to invite them to dance (even though men typically invite every lady). Reinforcing archaic gender roles? Well, it takes two to tango.

Originating from a dance community in Melbourne, No Lights No Lycra, takes the idea of 'dance like nobody’s watching' to literal extremes. No disco balls, no booze, no posers, just an hour of free-form dancing with reckless abandon.

An exotic fusion of Salsa and Jive - without the fussy footwork - Ceroc is the ultimate entry point to the brave new world of dance. At Play, Cerocers learn a short routine which they practice with different partners to help learn and improve. It's the most versatile of partner dances, so prepare to whip it out at clubs, parties and weddings. No limelight hogging though.

An evening dance soirée at Tamar Park organised by Hong Kong blues. The event features a free beginners blues class followed by music and social dancing in a range of styles including blues, swing, kizomba, salsa and tango. Bring your own drinks and nibbles to share with other dance enthusiasts!