The Charming Verdi Club Milonga.
The Verdi Club still depicts its original 1930’s charm and on a Thursday evening it will have you feeling as if you returned to Tango’s Golden Age. Ladies are wearing their fanciest dresses and sparkling heels and the men are handsome in suits and jackets. Chandeliers loom over the large wood ballroom as nicely decorated tables surround the floor. Tango music floats out of the ballroom as you find your way into the main entrance, and you can almost imagine yourself taken back in time to the hey day of Tango.
The Verdi Club milonga was one of the first milongas in San Francisco and at one point it was THE milonga to attend. For various reasons, its doors closed at the end of 2008. The Verdi Club Milonga re-opened in 2009 with a grand celebration receiving almost 400 dancers on opening night. Ever since that night, the crowd remains consistently strong and it’s always a party.
San Francisco’s live Tango orchestras, Seth Asarnow y su Sexteto Typico or Trio Garufa occasionally serenade dancers from the stage at the back of the room. The house DJ, Emilio is sure to play your favorite Tandas along with a few that are rarely heard. The bar at the front room is the perfect place to mingle and flirt, and the friendly bartender makes sure to have a good selection of Argentine Malbecs ready to pour or a bottle of champagne to bring to your table. Assorted cheeses, fruits, crackers and other goodies are also provided by your thoughtful hosts, Christy Cote and Adolfo Caszarry.
Oh, and Ladies, you have to visit the “powder room”. It’s a humongous lounge, giving you a great place to hang out, refresh and recover from your last tanda that may have left you breathless.
At the reserved table next to the DJ, you are sure to see a few of the visiting Tango maestro’s that are in town. If they are in San Francisco on a Thursday night, they will surely be at the Verdi. Thankfully, the room is lit enough, so you can actually see who is across the room, helping to make Cabeceo very possible. So, if you want to practice this method of inviting and accepting, this is your place.
Beginner and Intermediate classes are offered before the milonga, usually taught by Christy and Adolfo or one of the many visiting instructors that pass through. Make sure to stay for the performance later in the evening by the visiting maestros. Christy and Adolfo are very good at making sure out of town guests feel welcome as they are usually introduced during the 11pm announcement break.
So go ahead, put on your finest Tango outfit, grab a glass of wine at the bar, cabeceo your favorite dance partner and be prepared for a charming night of Tango at the Verdi club.
The Verdi Club
2424 Mariposa St., San Francisco, CA
Every Thursday
7:00 - 8:00 Beg. lesson with Christy & Adolfo
8:00 - 9:00 Int/Adv lesson with Christy & Adolfo or guest teachers
9:00 - 1:00a Milonga