New York On2
Mambo (Salsa On2)
Mambo classes in London teach New York style salsa On2 in monthly courses near London Bridge, Paddington and King's Cross, with weekly classes and monthly socials in Tufnell Park.
Mambo classes in London teach New York style salsa On2 in monthly courses near London Bridge, Paddington and King's Cross, with weekly classes and monthly socials in Tufnell Park.
In today's social dance scene, mambo means New York style salsa danced On2. Dancers break, or change direction, on the second and sixth beats of the music instead of the first and fifth. Soy Salsa describes it simply: "We teach New York style On2, sometimes called Mambo."
Looking for salsa in general, including Cuban and LA style? See our salsa guide.
The name goes back to the mambo craze of the 1940s and 1950s, the Cuban big-band music played at New York's Palladium Ballroom. The modern dance was shaped from the 1970s onwards by New York teachers, above all Eddie Torres. Caramelo Latin Dance Academy, whose teachers trained in his style, calls him "the Mambo King".
Mambo is danced in a slot, like LA-style salsa, but it feels different: smoother, jazzier and closely tied to the conga and the clave. It mixes partnerwork with "shines", solo footwork phrases that partners dance facing each other. The ballroom mambo taught in American Rhythm syllabuses is a separate, older competition dance.
Mambo is a style of salsa, so the two share music, partnerwork and much of their vocabulary. The difference is in the timing and the feel.
Use the map below to find studios near you, or filter by area and audience to jump straight to our curated list of the best-rated Mambo (Salsa On2) studios in London further down the page.
Mambo, Salsa, Bachata & 4 more styles
Mambo, Bachata, Salsa
Mambo, Salsa, Cha Cha & 3 more styles
Mambo, Bachata, Salsa
Mambo, Salsa, Cha Cha & 2 more styles
Mambo, Salsa
Mambo, Salsa, Lindy Hop & 6 more styles
Breaking on 2 puts your steps with the conga and the bass, so dancers often say On2 makes them hear salsa music differently.
Mambo classes give solo shines real time, building fast, clean footwork that you can show off between partner patterns.
Caramelo describes mambo as "smooth, jazzy, elegant", with longer and more complex turn patterns than salsa On1.
Schools run structured levels: Soy Salsa has seven, from Beginner 1 to Advanced, and Funky Mambo four.
On2 is danced at congresses and socials worldwide, and London has its own socials, such as Funky Mambo's monthly mambo party.
An hour of turns, shines and partnerwork is a full-body workout that also trains balance and coordination.
Caramelo's Intro / Transition to Mambo course is designed for salsa dancers at an intermediate level or higher who are comfortable with their timing.
You can start On2 from zero. Soy Salsa's Beginner 1 needs "no partner and no experience", and Caramelo welcomes newcomers who only want to learn mambo.
Soy Salsa holds 10 lead and 10 follow places in every course, and Funky Mambo says no partner is needed.
Funky Mambo pairs its Tuesday classes with social dancing, and Esencia Libre runs monthly Sunday and Friday socials.
Shines and styling courses, such as Soy Salsa's femme styling and men's styling, focus on solo footwork, body movement and expression.
Carbonero Academy offers private lessons in NY-style mambo On2, and Melitta Siomos coaches salsa On2 in Chiswick and Ealing.
Central London has the dedicated On2 schools. Soy Salsa Dance Academy teaches only New York style On2, in monthly courses on weekday evenings on Druid Street, near London Bridge. Caramelo Latin Dance Academy runs NY Mambo (On2) courses alongside salsa and bachata at Paddington Academy, near Royal Oak, and St Marylebone School. Esencia Libre Salsa Academy teaches LA On1 and New York On2 on Mondays and Tuesdays near Caledonian Road & Barnsbury.
In north London, Funky Mambo, founded by Cliff and Miho in 2018, runs Salsa On2sDays, a class followed by social dancing every Tuesday at Downstairs At The Dome, near Tufnell Park. It also hosts a monthly Friday mambo party at Leaf & Cane. See the Central London and North London guides for more Latin dance schools.
For one-to-one coaching, Carbonero Academy on Wandsworth Road, near Nine Elms, teaches private lessons in NY-style mambo On2 and On1 and On2 shines. Melitta Siomos offers private salsa On2 coaching in Chiswick, Ealing and west London.
Most On2 teaching runs as progressive courses rather than drop-ins, because the timing takes a few weeks to settle. Soy Salsa charges £50 per four-week course (£60 in five-week months), with discounts for a second course (checked October 2026). Caramelo runs four-week courses, and Esencia Libre groups its classes from absolute beginners (0-2 months) to intermediate and advanced (1.5 years and more).
If you already dance salsa On1, ask the school where to start. Soy Salsa places On1 dancers in person, and Caramelo has a dedicated transition course. Most mambo schools also teach cha-cha-cha or bachata, and for private dance lessons see Carbonero Academy, Melitta Siomos or Funky Mambo, which also offers private sessions.
Wear comfortable clothes you can turn in and shoes with a smooth sole, never trainers with grippy rubber. Bring water: On2 classes are energetic.
Regular dancers buy suede-soled Latin dance shoes, heels or flats for follows and dance shoes or dance sneakers for leads. They make turns easier and protect your knees.
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