Dance Base, Scotland's National Centre for Dance
BEST FOR
Ages 14+
ENTRY
from £5.50
WHERE
Edinburgh
What it’s like
Adult and teen dance classes in Edinburgh, from Afrobeats to contact improvisation, with drop-in sessions from £5.50.
This one's for the teenagers in the house rather than the little ones, minimum age is 14. If you've got a fifteen-year-old who's into Afrobeats or wants to try something looser like a contact improvisation jam, this is a proper studio doing it, not a one-off workshop stuck on at the end of a birthday party.
The classes run as single drop-ins or as 13-week courses, and the pricing tells you which one they want you to pick. A single Afrobeats class is £12, but the 13-week course works out at £10 a session, so if your teenager sticks with it the course is the better deal. The contact improvisation jam is cheaper again at £5.50, which is a decent way to try the style without committing to anything.
Weekdays it's open 9:30 to 21:00, which is a wide window, but Saturday and Sunday hours shift about depending on what's running that day. Booking's online, and given the courses run for 13 weeks you'll want to check the class actually fits your Saturday football run before signing up for a term of it.
Getting there without a car is easy enough, Waverley's a 10 to 15 minute walk and there's a step-free bus stop on Forrest Road. If you are driving, parking near Grassmarket is free after 18:30, which suits an evening class nicely, though daytime sessions mean paying at Castle Terrace or Grindlay Street Court. The building's wheelchair accessible with Changing Places facilities, which is handy if that's a factor for your family.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Teenagers 14 plus, not younger children
- Parking
- Free parking after 18:30 in Grassmarket
- Getting there by bus or train
- Waverley Station 10-15 minute walk
- Minimum age is 14, so it's not a family activity for younger siblings
- The 13-week course is better value per session than paying for single classes
- Weekend hours vary by activity, so check the specific class time rather than assuming a set schedule
- Forrest Road bus stop is step-free if buggies or wheelchairs are a factor getting there
- Changing Places facilities and lockers are on site
Plan your visit
What age is this actually for?
Fourteen and up. It is not set up for younger kids.
How much does a class cost?
A single class like Afrobeats or Retro Dance Party is £12. The contact improvisation jam is cheaper at £5.50.
Is it cheaper to book a course instead of single classes?
Yes, the 13-week Afrobeats or Retro Dance Party course is £130, which works out under £10 a class instead of £12.
Do we need to book ahead?
There's an online booking link, so you can sort it before you go rather than turning up on spec.
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Friday it's 9:30 to 21:00. Weekend hours change depending on what's scheduled, so a Saturday class might run at a different time to what you'd expect.
Is there parking nearby?
Free parking in Grassmarket after 18:30, with Blue Badge parking on the corner of Grassmarket and King's Stables Road. During the day you're looking at paid car parks on Castle Terrace or Grindlay Street Court.
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