A hidden speakeasy, a sultry tango tune, and a Tuesday night unlike any other—welcome to Tango Tuesdays at Simone on Sunset.
If you’ve ever dreamed of gliding across the dance floor with confidence (and maybe even a little flair), this is your chance to begin that dance journey. Every Tuesday evening, Simone on Sunset’s Handshake speakeasy room transforms into a tango lover’s paradise. In this intimate, dimly lit hideaway (yes, it’s hidden behind a bookshelf – how cool is that?), tango dance classes meet cocktail bar vibes for a dance experience that’s as fun as it is enriching.
Originating in the late 19th century, the Argentine tango is a captivating dance form that combines passion, precision, and connection. And now, you don’t need a plane ticket to Buenos Aires to feel its magic – you can learn Argentine tango right here in Houston’s Rice Village. Whether you’re a curious newbie or a seasoned dancer, our weekly Argentine tango lesson followed by social dancing (a.k.a. a milonga) offers something for everyone.
As you immerse yourself in the steps, you’ll pick up essential tango technique like subtle weight changes and the elegant close embrace, all while becoming part of a vibrant tango community. Tango dancing isn’t just about fancy footwork; it’s a fantastic way to meet new people, enjoy social dancing, and embrace a timeless tradition that’s thriving worldwide – including in our own backyard.
Why Tango Tuesdays Are Perfect for Everyone
One of the beautiful things about tango is that it truly offers something for everyone. At Tango Tuesdays, it doesn’t matter if you’ve been dancing for years or you’re still working up the courage to take your first steps on a dance floor. Learning Argentine tango in this setting allows you to explore a timeless dance style in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Here’s why you’ll feel right at home at Simone on Sunset’s tango night:
Beginner-Friendly Vibe: No dance experience? No problem! Our evening starts with a beginner class designed for absolute beginners. The instructors break down the basics into super easy steps that anyone can follow (no complicated dance jargon, promise). Two left feet are welcome here – we’ll help you find your right one!
All Levels Welcome: Already have some tango dancing under your belt? You won’t be bored. Dancers of all levels join in, so you can practice your tango technique or even pick up new moves from fellow tangueros. It’s an inclusive mix of newbies and those with years of tango experience, and everyone learns from each other.
No Partner Needed: Tango is a social dance, which means meeting new people is half the fun. Come solo or bring a friend – either way, you’ll dance with different partners throughout the night. By the end of the evening, you might have a few new friends (and maybe a date for next week’s date night?).
Relaxed Social Atmosphere: Forget any stiff, stuffy dance studio vibe. Tango Tuesdays happen in a cozy bar setting, so the atmosphere is casual and approachable for everyone. There’s zero pressure to be perfect. Want to just watch with a drink in hand? Go for it. Feel like jumping in for every song? That’s welcome too.
Fun & Fitness: Psst… here’s a bonus: tango is a sneaky workout. You’ll be having so much fun dancing, you won’t notice you’ve been on your feet all evening. It’s way more enjoyable than the treadmill (and you won’t need any fancy equipment – just a willing spirit!).
By the end of the night, you’ll see why so many people fall in love with tango. It’s equal parts art form and social event. You’ll build a strong foundation in key techniques (like nailing those smooth pivots and weight shifts) and grow your confidence week by week. More importantly, you’ll be smiling, laughing, and feeling connected with others – and that’s really the heart of tango.
The Tango Tuesday Experience: Lessons, Dancing, and Cocktails
So, what exactly can you expect on a Tuesday night at Simone on Sunset? Think of it as a mini-adventure that blends dance instruction, a night out, and a touch of speakeasy mystery. Here’s the rundown of a typical Tango Tuesday:
✨ The Secret Setting: First, finding the party is part of the fun. Head to Simone on Sunset and ask if you need help finding The Handshake – our not-so-secret speakeasy room hidden behind a bookshelf. Inside, you’ll discover velvet seating, moody lighting, and a vibe straight out of the Jazz Age. It’s the perfect backdrop for an intimate tango gathering.
✨ The Beginner Tango Class: Around 7:00 PM, the evening kicks off with a group Argentine tango dance lesson(think of it as a fun group class where everyone’s learning together). A friendly dance instructor – often a seasoned dancer from Houston’s tango scene – will guide everyone through the fundamentals. In this 45-minute to 1-hour class, you’ll learn how to embrace your partner (don’t worry, it’s far more comfortable than that awkward slow dance you might remember from middle school), how to do those signature tango walks, and maybe even a cool move or two. The focus is on getting you moving confidently across the dance floor. By the end of the class, you’ll have learned enough to enjoy the social dancing that comes next.
✨ Social Dancing – The Milonga: After the class, the lights dim a little, the music picks up, and voilà – you’re at a milonga (that’s tango lingo for a social dance party). This is where the tango experience really takes off. The DJ (sometimes even a guest DJ from out of town) curates sets of tango music (called tandas) that will make you feel like you’ve been transported to a café in Buenos Aires. Now’s your chance to practice what you learned. Ask someone to dance or accept an invitation with a simple nod and smile – tango’s invitation tradition, known as the cabeceo, makes even asking for a dance feel like part of the fun. You’ll dance to dramatic tangos, the occasional spicy milonga (a faster-paced cousin of tango), and maybe a romantic vals (waltz). And remember, social dancing is just that – social. There’s as much joy in chatting between songs as there is in dancing.
✨ Craft Cocktails & Drink Specials: Need a breather between dances? Hit the bar (it’s just steps away). Tuesday is an extended Happy Hour night at Simone on Sunset, lasting till 10 PM, which means drink specials are in full swing. Sip on a signature craft cocktail or a glass of Argentine Malbec to get into the spirit – after all, tango and Malbec wine are a classic combo. Whether it’s Simone’s famous espresso martini (a crowd favorite), a refreshing sangria, or a simple ice-cold beer, a little liquid courage can be nice before you tango. And if all that dancing works up an appetite, you can nibble on some delicious bar bites. (Insider tip: the $1 happy hour oysters are a real treat if you catch them in time!)
✨ Performances & Surprises: One thing’s for sure – no two Tango Tuesdays are exactly alike. Some nights, you might witness a special performance that takes your breath away. It could be the instructors showing off an inspiring tango dance demonstration or even a visiting tango couple treating us to a show-stopping routine. Occasionally, we spice things up with live music – imagine a bandoneón (that soulful accordion-like instrument) playing live as dancers sweep across the floor. It doesn’t happen every week, but when it does, it’s pure magic. Even on a regular night, simply watching some of Houston’s more experienced tango dancers glide and pivot is like seeing a performance – and it might just spark new inspiration for your own dancing!
All of this happens in the friendly, unpretentious atmosphere of Simone’s speakeasy room. You’re essentially getting a night of dance, entertainment, and nightlife all rolled into one. Dress up if you feel like it (channel your inner old-school Hollywood star), or come as you are – the vibe ranges from casual to classy, and it’s all part of the fun. By the time the clock strikes 10 or 11 PM, you might not want the night to end. And guess what? You can come do it all again next week!
Join Houston’s Tango Community
Beyond the steps and music, one of the most rewarding aspects of Tango Tuesdays is the community you’ll join. Houston’s tango scene is a friendly and diverse bunch, and at Simone on Sunset you’ll see this community at its best. Regulars will welcome you with a smile, and newcomers quickly become familiar faces.
By coming to these weekly tango nights, you’re not just attending an event – you’re becoming part of a tango community that loves to share the joy of this dance. You’ll find people from all walks of life bonding over a shared passion. Striking up conversations is easy (“Was that your first tango? How did you like it?” is a great ice-breaker), and you’ll likely swap stories with others – about how you discovered tango, other tango dance parties you’ve been to, or even tips on the best shoes to wear.
What’s special about tango is how global it is. You could take a tango class in New York, drop into a milonga in Los Angeles, or dance in a hall in Buenos Aires – and you’d feel that same welcoming spirit. The tango community spans the world, and now you’re part of it. At Simone on Sunset, we often have travelers and visitors join our milonga, so don’t be surprised if you end up dancing with someone from the other side of the globe. Tango is like its own language, and Tuesday nights are your chance to become fluent one dance at a time.
Plus, the community doesn’t stop when the music does. You might find yourself exchanging numbers or Instagram handles to stay in touch with your new tango friends. There may be announcements for other events, like a weekend social or special workshops happening around town. Before you know it, you could have a calendar full of dance outings and a whole new circle of friends. Houston’s tango aficionados are a tight-knit group, and they’re always excited to welcome new people into the fold.
Broaden Your Dance Horizons
Tango has a way of sparking a bigger love for dance. Once you catch the tango bug on Tuesdays, don’t be surprised if you start exploring other dance styles too – and Simone on Sunset might help with that as well. Did you know we also host Salsa Sundays? That’s right, you can end your weekend with some salsa dancing and then start your week with tango. It’s the perfect one-two punch of Latin dance fun.
Beyond Simone’s events, the skills you learn in tango can complement other dances. Maybe you’ve tried West Coast Swing or always wanted to learn line dancing or hip hop – you’ll find that the balance, timing, and body awareness you pick up in tango give you a leg up in any dance form. Dancing is all about connection and movement, whether it’s the smooth elegance of a tango or the funky rhythm of a hip hop routine. Many dancers like to mix it up. You might even see some familiar faces from Tango Tuesday at other dance events around town – once you’re hooked on dance, you tend to want to try it all!
If tango becomes your passion (fair warning: it’s highly addictive in the best way), you might seek out more opportunities to grow. Houston has tango schools and studios where you can take additional classes or even private tango lessons to refine your craft. Personalized instruction can accelerate your progress – imagine getting one-on-one pointers on your ochos or musicality. Then you can bring those polished skills back to the Handshake speakeasy and wow everyone on Tuesday nights. More practice (whether through group classes or private lessons) means more confidence, and that just makes the social dancing even more fun.
The key is to keep exploring and enjoying the journey. Tango is just the beginning. Today it might be Argentine tango at Simone on Sunset, tomorrow you might be out two-stepping at a country bar or popping into a hip hop dance workshop, and next month maybe trying a ballroom class for the heck of it. Each style you learn makes you a better all-around dancer and opens up new ways to enjoy music and meet people. So go ahead – broaden those horizons. The world of dance is huge, and every new step is a new adventure.
Start Your Tango Journey Now
Ready to take the leap (or rather, the graceful tango step)? There’s no better time to start than now. Tango Tuesdays at Simone on Sunset are waiting for you – happening every Tuesday night in the Handshake speakeasy room, rain or shine. Consider this your personal invitation to join us.
If you’re feeling nervous, that’s okay! Every tango dancer on the floor was once a beginner who showed up to their first class not knowing what to expect. Maybe you’ve watched a few tango clips on a YouTube channel and thought, “Wow, I could never do that.” Well, here’s a secret: those dancers probably thought the same thing at one point. The only difference is they gave it a try. And a Tuesday tango class is the perfect place to give it a try for yourself.
Picture yourself a few weeks from now: you’ve attended a handful of tango nights. You know the basic steps, you recognize the melodies, you’ve made some friends (and you’ve gotten pretty good at that dramatic tango pose to wrap up a song!). Tango night might just become the highlight of your week – a time to unwind from work, get moving, and socialize all at once.
So dust off your dancing shoes (or just wear comfy shoes – high heels and dress shoes are totally optional), grab a friend if you like, and come join us. The class schedule is simple: show up a little before 7 PM on Tuesday to get settled in. No advance sign-up needed – it’s a drop-in class, very come-as-you-are. There’s a modest cover for the lesson (roughly the price of one cocktail), and the social dancing afterwards is typically free. In other words, it’s one of the best deals in town for a night full of fun, learning, and great company.
Tango Tuesdays at Simone on Sunset are more than an event – they’re the start of a new adventure. You’ll be embracing not just a dance, but a whole community and culture. And most importantly, you’ll be having a blast. After all, life’s too short to sit on the sidelines.
See you on Tuesday night – we’ll save you a spot on the dance floor and a drink at the bar. Your tango journey awaits, and we can’t wait to share it with you at Simone on Sunset’s Handshake speakeasy. Olé, and cheers to that!