Venue Image

Hours

Tue.-Sun. 9PM-2AM

Cross Street

Arizona Avenue

Parking

Street or lot parking

Pricing

Cover varies

City's Best

Zanzibar   

1301 5th St
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-451-2221
www.zanzibarlive.com/

Rating: 4 out of 5  (11 Ratings)   Read Reviews (11)    Rate and Write a Review
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From the names behind the Temple Bar just a few streets over on Wilshire, Zanzibar keeps up its founders' virtuous reputation for musical integrity with a DJ-focused slant. Occupying the former West End space on Fifth Street and Arizona, Zanzibar is a convenient walk, car pool or mass transit ride to or from almost anywhere in Santa Monica. The bar and modest yet functional dance floor and stage area attract descendants of the West End and Temple Bar alumni, mainly a casual, rugged and hip blend of daytime professionals and music lovers looking for more than substance than Hollywood hype. Zanzibar incorporates big DJ names like Jason Bentley, Jun, Dave Hernandez and Josh Kun into its weekly lineups of electronica, Latin beats, funk and soul. Those looking purely for beverage consultation need look no further than the Energy Martini that takes everyday vodka to a higher level. Upping the stakes for dancing and DJ music in Santa Monica, Zanzibar leads locals home to prime nightlife without the fuss.

User Ratings and Reviews Rate and Write a Review

11 Ratings and Reviews

Order by: Oldest | Newest
OfficerStout
Review rating 5 out of 5
Mondat nite Salsa
By OfficerStout on 09/13/2008
Best place to enjoy Monday Nite Salsa, from beginner to advance. They also have dance class for beginners in the scene.
user image
Review rating 5 out of 5
By WARIOJIMENEZ on 07/01/2008
Charlieantillon
Review rating 5 out of 5
DJ Charlie!!!
By Charlieantillon on 05/29/2008
Dr. Rumba, Cristian and DJ Carlie, we are so excited to share this beautiful place with the Salsa community! Awesome atmosphere and the best Salsa music playing all night, not to forget 2 hours free Salsa lesson by the best, Cristian Oviedo! Come and experience the cadencious 'tumbao' beat rush, as you enjoy our easy going 'anti-clubish' ambiance, is "la combinacion perfecta"!
In8dc
Review rating 5 out of 5
Monday Tumbao Salsa Night @Zanzibar
By In8dc on 05/19/2008
I'm reviewing only the Salsa night but I've heard good things about Thursday Afrofunke as well. TUMBAO salsa dura @ Zanzibar Monday nights will never be the same. Tumbao is bought to you by Dr. Rumba (Fernando), DJ Charlie and Cristian Oviedo formerly of the Morbar on Main st. The name "Tumbao" is literally the beat, groove, swing, movement of the Salsa music. This term was popularized by Celia Cruz with her Salsa mega hit "esa negra tiene tumbao". Whether you're a hard-core Salsero, or a beginner dancer, put some Tumbao into your life by heading to Zanzibar Monday nights. Located in Santa Monica, two blocks from the promenade, Zanzibar has hardwood dance floors, room to dance, and plenty of free street parking. World famous salsa dancer, instructor, and choreographer, Christian Oviedo starts it off with a beginner class @ 8pm-9pm and then a beginner/intermediate class 9pm-10pm. Get there early the class gets packed. Cristian and Ashley are down to earth and very patient instructors unlike other unnamed (Alex) teachers. The class gets packed for 3 reasons, Cristian, Ashley (from "so you think you can dance ") and it's only $5 for a 2 hour lesson. Followed by DJ Charlie spinning the best in Salsa, Rumba, ChaCha, Bachata, and Vintage Latin Jazz, and dance till 2:00 am (you'll have so much fun, you'll forget to be tired the next day)! If your an established dancer come after 10:30pm the beginners start to leave and the dance floor opens up a little. What sets this place apart, in my opinion, is location and the music. The music is that old school hardcore salsa that forces you to dance no matter what your skill level. Cover is $5 and includes the 2 hour lesson. http://www.2umbao.com
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