Brooklyn Swings

- 267 Douglass St 3rd floor, Brooklyn, NY 11217

For New Yorkers seeking a fun, energetic, and highly social way to connect with the city's rich cultural history, Brooklyn Swings stands out as the premier destination for all things swing dance. Located in the vibrant Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn, this dance school is widely recognized for offering some of the best swing dance classes in NYC. It is more than just a place to learn steps; it’s a welcoming community dedicated to teaching Black American Culture Dances, fostering confidence, and ensuring that every participant, regardless of their background or level of social anxiety, finds joy in moving their bodies.

Swing dancing, an umbrella term for a variety of styles danced to the infectious rhythms of swing music, is deeply rooted in New York's history, having flourished in places like Harlem during the jazz age. Brooklyn Swings honors this legacy by focusing on the core, authentic styles. The studio’s curriculum zeros in on essential dances, offering students a chance to truly master the fundamental step patterns and techniques before progressing. This specialized focus, combined with the teachers' ability to make everyone feel at ease, has earned the school glowing reviews from formerly nervous beginners who found themselves suddenly enjoying the movement.

The atmosphere is intentionally friendly and non-judgmental. Many potential dancers feel socially anxious or unconfident about their abilities, but the dedicated instructors are praised for their skill in creating a low-pressure learning environment, allowing students to simply enjoy the process. Whether you're coming to find a fun, new hobby, looking for a way to get active, or wanting to join a thriving social scene, Brooklyn Swings provides a supportive and effective pathway into the world of social dance. You don't need a partner or any prior experience to join in on the fun; beginners are their specialty, and their methods are proven to instill confidence and body awareness.

Brooklyn Swings is perfectly situated in the accessible and rapidly evolving neighborhood of Gowanus, offering convenience for New Yorkers traveling from across the city.

The school is located at: 267 Douglass St 3rd floor, Brooklyn, NY 11217, USA.

This location is hosted within the Gemini & Scorpio Loft, a known creative space in the neighborhood. For those traveling by subway, the studio is reachable by virtually all major train lines, making it easily accessible from Manhattan, Queens, and other parts of Brooklyn. A crucial point of comfort and convenience for all patrons is the building's physical accessibility:

• The studio is on the 3rd floor of a renovated industrial building.
• It is serviced by an ADA accessible elevator, eliminating the need to take stairs.
• The general accessibility is designed to welcome everyone who wishes to participate in the classes and social dances.

Brooklyn Swings provides a focused and high-quality range of services centered exclusively on the various styles of swing dance. Their offerings are structured to accommodate students from their very first steps through to complex, advanced repertoire.

• Core Swing Dance Group Classes (Level I & II): Structured, multi-week sessions that concentrate on one specific dance at a time—the most effective way for dancers to truly learn the step patterns and body mechanics.
• Specialized Swing Dance Styles: Expert instruction is provided in the key Black American Culture Dances, including Lindy Hop (six-count and eight-count), Charleston (1920s and 1940s aesthetics), and Balboa.
• Blues Dancing Classes: Instruction in partner and solo Blues dancing, which focuses on intricate body connection, musicality, and a range of styles rooted in African American vernacular jazz.
• Weekly Social Dance Parties: Regular social dances on evenings like Fridays and Sundays where dancers of all levels are encouraged to come out and practice their moves, often featuring DJs or live music.
• Private Swing Dance Lessons: Individualized instruction for those who prefer one-on-one attention, focusing on personal goals, technique refinement, and custom coaching.
• Workshops and Intensives: Special sessions and workshops focusing on advanced techniques, fancy footwork, aerials, and specific maneuvers like turns, dips, and spins.
• Partner Rotation in Classes: All group classes utilize partner rotation, meaning you do not need to bring a partner, making it a perfect spot for singles to learn and meet new people.

What makes Brooklyn Swings a standout choice for New York dancers is the combination of its authentic focus, quality instruction, and specialized venue features.

• Authentic Dance Focus: The school emphasizes authentic Black American Culture Dances like Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Charleston, ensuring historical accuracy and genuine style.
• Welcoming, Low-Anxiety Environment: Teachers excel at making even the most socially anxious or unconfident dancers feel completely at ease and able to enjoy the movement.
• Ideal Dance Floor: The space features excellent wooden dance floors, which are crucial for the comfort and safety of swing dancers who rely on pivots, slides, and fast footwork.
• Community-Centric Pricing: Social dances frequently use a “Pay-What-You-Can” model for admission, demonstrating a commitment to equity and making social dancing accessible to all members of the NYC community.
• Beautiful Loft Venue: Located in a spacious, 5,000-square-foot loft with original wood floors, high ceilings, and an exposed-beam ceiling, creating a classic New York studio atmosphere.
• Direct Elevator Access: The venue is situated on the third floor but is easily reachable via a 6x9 ADA accessible elevator, ensuring the space is inclusive for everyone.
• Focus on Mastery: Group class sessions dedicate four weeks to a single style (e.g., Lindy Hop or Balboa), allowing students to truly master the foundation before advancing.

To inquire about the current class schedule, private lessons, or social dance events, please use the following contact details. Registration for all group classes is typically required in advance.

Address: 267 Douglass St 3rd floor, Brooklyn, NY 11217, USA
While a direct phone number for the dance school is often reserved for private appointments, the most common and effective way to begin is by visiting their website or checking local swing dance event calendars in New York for the latest schedule details.
Potential students should note that private lessons are generally by appointment and paid for in advance, and it is best to check the current online schedule for class pricing and registration details, as they may vary.

Choosing Brooklyn Swings means opting for an authentic and supportive introduction to the world of swing dance, right here in New York City. For anyone in the NYC area, the primary value lies in the exceptional quality of instruction and the welcoming culture. Unlike some studios that spread their focus thinly, Brooklyn Swings dedicates itself to teaching the core vernacular jazz dances—Lindy Hop, Charleston, and Balboa—with depth and historical reverence. This ensures that students are not just learning steps, but truly understanding the movement and the music.

The consistent positive feedback from customers speaks volumes: the teachers are truly expert at making newcomers feel comfortable and confident, dissolving the nervousness that often accompanies learning a new partner dance. This is the ideal place for the 'socially anxious type' to find their footing. Furthermore, the commitment to community, evidenced by the partner-rotation policy and the equity-focused pricing for social dances, makes it a rare find. You get high-quality lessons in an accessible Brooklyn loft with a fantastic wooden dance floor, all within a culture that emphasizes fun and enjoyment over perfection. For the best swing dance experience in New York, Brooklyn Swings is truly worth choosing.

Brooklyn Swings

267 Douglass St 3rd floor, Brooklyn, NY 11217, USA