Salsa at Tavern on the Green

Review and Photos by Robert Abrams
June 2, 3002

Tavern on the Green knows how to throw a great party. Tonight was Salsa and it had the feel of an outdoor party with the flavor of Cuba. The crowd was both International and authentic. The DJ, Jay Vee, did a great job. The music had varied tempos. It was mostly Salsa with the occasional Merengue, Cha-cha, and bless the DJ's heart, a few songs amenable to Rumba or Bolero.

The Garden was full. The dance floor was almost always packed. People showed off their stuff while being respectful of the crowded floor. Central Park is in many respects the crown jewel of New York. The Garden was decorated in a style befitting such a jewel, with new Japanese lanterns, tiny lights formed into the shape of globes and tree trunks and branches covered in tiny lights as well. Not to mention all of the theatrical lights aimed at the dance floor. It must have taken a lot of work to decorate the Garden this way. The work clearly paid off.

The drinks were reasonably priced ($5 drink specials). The grill started serving kebabs at 10 pm, also reasonably priced ($8 for a chicken, shrimp or vegetable kebab with orzo salad). The food was very savory. The weather was balmy.

I left around 11:15 pm and the party was still going strong.

There was no cover charge tonight. Starting on Wednesday, there is a $10 cover charge, but you can buy a $29 VIP pass (plus tax) and never pay a cover charge all Summer long. For a classy and enchanted venue like the Tavern on the Green Garden, this is an unbeatable deal. About 30 people bought VIP passes tonight, even though, technically, the passes weren't on sale yet. This is just further proof that New Yorkers know a good thing when they see it.

A lot of the people came in groups, but it was still possible to find people to dance with even though I came alone. I even met two attractive women from Santa Cruz. I started to take dance seriously when I lived in Santa Cruz. They were in town for a wedding and decided to check out Tavern on the Green on their last night in the Big Apple. It just goes to show that as big as New York is, our lives can intertwine as if it were a small town.

Tavern on the Green's full Dancing Under the Stars schedule includes:

Mondays
Latin Groove
Salsa all night long!
$10 cover charge

Tuesdays
Two for Tuesday
Rock 'n' Roll Dance Party
Twice the fun for half the price
2 for 1 cover charge
2 for 1 drinks
(must be identical drink, includes Garden Drink List, excludes $5 Drink Special)

Wednesdays
Big Band Night
17 piece orchestra
Swing all night long
$10 cover charge

Thursdays
After Work in the Garden
Cocktail party starts at 5:30 pm
Lounge and House music
No cover charge
Joon Bug Productions

Fridays and Saturdays
Weekend Dance Party
From Sinatra to Salsa
$10 cover charge

Sundays
Disco and Mambo
$10 cover charge
Hustle or Salsa lessons at 8 pm
A Midnight Music Production

Tavern on the Green is located in Central Park at West 67th Street
New York, New York 10023-6000
212-873-3200
www.tavernonthegreen.com
Garden Information Hotline: ext. 241

Music Starts at 7:30 pm every night
$5 drink specials every night

Please note that the Garden may close due to inclement weather or private party.

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